How Could You? Hall of Shame-James Reese Jr. case-Child Death UPDATED

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Jacksonville, Florida, foster child 4-year-old James Reese Jr. died “in a state-appointed home is being investigated as a homicide after he was taken off life support Wednesday with a skull fracture and multiple broken bones suffered on April 15, according to news partner First Coast News.

The boy’s death was officially listed late Thursday as a homicide on the Sheriff’s Office’s online murder database. In a heavily redacted incident report, investigators said they were summoned to Wolfson Children’s Hospital about 3:30 p.m. on April 15 by the Florida Department of Children and Families.

The report indicates the incident occurred between 7:25 and 9 a.m. that day at a Westside home. The report redacts information on the three witness/complainants. It states someone began doing CPR on the child as rescue units were called, then took the child to Wolfson.

First Coast News reported that multiple law enforcement and child-welfare sources confirm the boy, named James, was one of four siblings living in a “kinship placement” home when he was injured. The children were ordered removed from the biological parent or parents and placed with other family. That relative or relatives took all four siblings into their Westside home earlier this year, the station reported.

The children were placed in the home by the National Youth Advocate Program, which works with the state and Family Support Services, a child welfare agency, according to the news station.

The Department of Children and Families contracts with 18 nonprofit agencies statewide to administer services under Florida’s “community-based care” mode. Family Support Services then outsources services like alternative-care placement to other agencies.

Following James’ injuries, the other three children were removed from the home, First Coast News said.

No charges have been filed.”

4-year-old Jacksonville boy dies after sustaining severe head injuries in state-appointed home
[The Florida Times-Union 4/23/21 By Dan Scanlan]

“The mother of a 4-year-old Jacksonville boy who police said was murdered opened up Sunday about the tragic loss.

“I didn’t get to say goodbye to him,” said Karissa Garcia, the mother of James Edward Reese Jr. “I miss him. I just wish I could have my baby back.”

Garcia spoke with News4Jax three days after two people were arrested in connection with Reese’s death. Alex Pino, 30, is charged with second-degree murder and aggravated child abuse, and Michelle Sipko, 38, is charged with manslaughter and child neglect.

At the time of Reese’s death, Garcia said, she did not have custody of her children, including Reese, because she was the victim of domestic violence. Garica’s four children have spent more than a year in foster care, living with relatives — the most recent being Pino and Sipko.

On April 15, Reese was brought to Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

“All I got told was James was rushed to the hospital for emergency brain surgery,” Garcia said. “All I know is he had a skull fracture and he had multiple injuries to his body.”
Reese died April 21 from his injuries. On April 22, according to a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office database, his death was determined to be a murder.

“I started screaming and hollering,” Garcia recounted.

Garcia said the last time she talked with Reese was on Zoom days before he was taken to the hospital.

“I did notice he was crying. He really didn’t want to speak to me and he had a lump on the side of his head,” she said. “They said I couldn’t keep my kids safe, so they wind up removing them and placing them here and there, then this is what happens. You place them somewhere else, and now my son is gone.”

“Garcia said she hopes to regain custody of her other children, ages 8, 6 and 1.”

‘I didn’t get to say goodbye to him’: Mother opens up about 4-year-old Jacksonville boy’s death
[New 4 Jax 5/16/21 by Zachery Lashway]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update:“A judge on Friday ruled the state has met the burden of proof to charge a Jacksonville man in the death of his 4-year-old foster son.

Alex Pino, 30, is charged with second-degree murder and aggravated child abuse in the death of James Reese, Jr. Pino, who is being held without bond while awaiting trial, has pleaded not guilty.

The charges stem from injuries found on the boy when he was brought to Wolfson Children’s Hospital April 15 with a broken collarbone. Doctors also found head injuries on the child, who later died.

The cause of death was found to be blunt force trauma and the boy’s death was ruled a homicide, according to the State Attorney’s Office.

During Friday’s hearing, the court heard testimony from Dr. Rebecca Rodriguez Poe, a pediatrician who specializes in identifying signs of child abuse.

“He was hit by a belt and thrown in a tub,” the doctor said, adding that in her professional opinion, it was physical abuse that ultimately resulted in the boy’s death.

Det. Howard Saunders, the lead detective in the case, also took the stand on Friday. Saunders was asked by Assistant State Attorney Thomas Mangan about statements the boy’s sister made about his injuries.

“Why did (the boy’s sister) believe he was thrown in the bathtub like a rock?” Mangan wondered.

To which Saunders replied, “She said when her and her brother Jaden were in bed, they heard a loud banging in the bathtub that came from the bathroom that is directly adjacent to their room.”

“She said she heard James screaming,” he added.

That testimony came up again during cross-examination when defense attorneys questioned the content of what Saunders gleaned from the child’s sister.

“Through her words, I believe she demonstrated what she believed he did, but she did not give me a firsthand witness account of seeing him throw her brother into the bathtub,” Saunders said.

The testimony was overwhelming for Karissa Garcia, Reese’s biological mother.

“It was upsetting, hard. We heard some things that I didn’t know that happened to my son,” she said.

The boy’s uncle, Mark McKenna, told News4Jax he wants to see justice served.

“I want to see him spend the rest of his life in prison because my nephew is going to spend the rest of his days in the ground. What happened to that little boy is not right,” McKenna said. “Every time I think about it, it breaks my heart.”

A pretrial hearing in Pino’s case is set for July 21.

The boy’s foster mother, Michelle Sipko, is charged with manslaughter and child neglect. She has pleaded not guilty to both charges.”

Judge rules burden of proof met to charge Jacksonville man in foster son’s death
[News 4 Jacksonville 6/25/21 by Zachery Lashway]

Update 2:“A woman who was charged with manslaughter and child neglect in the death of 4-year-old James Reese Jr has bonded out of jail.

The cause of the Reese’s death was found to be blunt force trauma and was ruled a homicide.

Karissa Garcia is the mother of Reese, who died after a doctor says he was thrown in a tub and hit with a belt.
Garcia said she received a notification through the VINE system that Michelle Sipko bonded out Friday.

She believes Sipko should not have gotten a bond.
Sipko, Reese’s foster mother and Garcia’s cousin, was charged with manslaughter and child neglect in his death.
Her bond was originally set at $750,000 for each charge, but she was released on a $325,000 bond on Friday.

“I wish there was no bond, especially when you either hurt a child or kill a child,” Garcia said.

Sipko’s lawyer says in this court document that she has no criminal history and isn’t a threat to the public, but Garcia disagrees.

And Garcia is disappointed in her family.

“I didn’t think my own flesh and blood would hurt one of my kids,” she said.

Garcia’s brother, Christopher Nastasi, said he’s learned that Sipko is a dangerous person.

“The 9-year-old sibling had enough sense to know her brother was in pain,” he said. “Michelle’s reply was, ‘We don’t call 9-1-1 in this household.”’

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s booking page, her location is HD1, which is home detention.

Alex Pino, the boy’s 30-year-old foster father, has been charged with second-degree murder and child abuse. He’s being held without bond as he awaits his trial.

A pretrial hearing in Pino’s case is set for July 21st.”

Mother of boy killed in foster care speaks out
[Jacksonville News 7/18/21 by Brie Isom]

“Saturday marks four months since Karissa Garcia tragically lost her 4-year-old son, James Reese Jr.

“He was very helpful. He loved playing with his siblings. He was a very good kid. He had a bright smile,“ Garcia said.

James’ foster parent, Alex Pino, is accused of killing him.

This week, Pino was indicted by a grand jury, upgrading his charges from second-degree to first-degree murder.

“Very hard to understand what happened. Very painful,” said Garcia.

According to investigators, James died from blunt force trauma. James was rushed to the hospital in April, where doctors found his injuries showing a consistent pattern of abuse and several fractures, according to the state.

Records show, James’ other foster parent, Michelle Sipko, knew about the abuse. She is charged with manslaughter and child neglect, according to records.

In the next month, the state will decide if Pino should face the death penalty.

“I don’t want him to do the death penalty. I want him to be in prison for the rest of his life,” said Garcia.
Garcia said now she wants justice for her son.

Pino has pleaded not guilty and is currently being held in Duval County Jail without bond.”

Man now indicted on first-degree murder charge in 4-year-old’s death

[Jacksonville News 8/21/21 by Corley Peel]