Illinois CPS Fail-Destiny Cox case-Child Death

Destiny Cox, 3, died on April 29, 2011. DCF had been notified at least twice of abuse and neglect prior to her death.

She was “the victim of an alleged beating, and her mother’s boyfriend, David Gharrett, faces murder charges because authorities said he caused the blunt force trauma to the child’s head. He gave police several versions of how Destiny was injured before admitting he threw her into a bathtub after she vomited, say police reports.”

[In July 2011], Destiny’s mother Candis Ethridge was indicted on child endangerment charges accusing her of leaving the girl with Gharrett, a decision that led to the child’s death, according to prosecutors.

The criminal charges against Ethridge stem from the ongoing verbal, emotional and physical abuse Destiny suffered at the hands of Gharrett with her mother’s knowledge, State’s Attorney Bill Yoder said Thursday. People close to the family have come forward since the child’s death and shared their stories of abuse they said they witnessed, he said.

“I think we have a good deal of evidence as to the abuse Destiny suffered during her life,” said Yoder.

For Destiny’s father, Davey Cox, the charges against Ethridge confirm his belief that no one seemed to be looking after his child’s safety and welfare in the Chenoa home Ethridge and Gharrett shared with several members of Gharrett’s family.

“I think the charges are perfect,” Cox said after a hearing he attended Thursday in Gharrett’s case.

Cox last saw his daughter alive at a Peoria hospital shortly before life support was removed from her.

“I laid down next to her and bawled and bawled. I had the doctor open her eyes one last time so I could see her. She was my one and only,” said Cox.

He was not allowed to stay in the room with Gharrett and Ethridge as the machines were disconnected. “That really killed me,” he said, adding that Gharrett helped plan and attended the child’s funeral.

As the investigation into the child’s death moves forward, Cox said he has questions about previous abuse his daughter may have suffered, including a fracture to her foot she suffered when she was about a year old and living with Gharrett and Ethridge in Lincoln.

In its review of the 2009 injury, the state Department of Children and Family Services did not find credible evidence of abuse. A year later, Ethridge declined services offered by DCFS after a report of neglect was deemed unfounded against her.

DCFS said this week that it is reviewing the earlier cases.

Ethridge and Cox started dating in March 2007 and became parents of Destiny in January 2008. They lived as a family in Heyworth and Clinton before Cox was sentenced to four years in prison on drug charges. Ethridge visited him regularly for several months but by December 2009, the relationship ended.

Ethridge became involved with Gharrett and the two later had a son.

Cox had visits with his daughter but said he returned her reluctantly to the Ethridge-Gharrett household. He said he regrets he was unable to convince Ethridge to leave Gharrett.

“She didn’t leave and that’s her choice. She had a bond with him and I couldn’t break it,” said Cox.

Gharrett is jailed in lieu of posting $200,025 and Ethridge must post $25,025 to be released.”

As father mourns, charges show slain girl had hard life

[Pantagraph 7/28/11 by Edith Brady-Lunny]

Trial May 2013

Gharrett was tried for first degree murder. “Gharrett is accused of killing Destiny while he was babysitting her. Autopsy results show Destiny died of head trauma. However, the defense attorney claims Destiny died after choking on hot peppers.

Destiny’s mother, Candice Ethridge, previously plead guilty to child endangerment. She was sentenced to two-years probation. Ethridge is expected to testify later this week.”

Trial begins in death of 3-year-old Destiny Cox

[CI News Now  5/13/13]

“A McLean County Judge found David Gharrett guilty of murder in the death of a three year old girl.

David Gharrett Found Guilty in Murder Of Three Year Old Child

[Cities 9.29 5/22/13]

Sentencing July 2013

“Destiny would have been 5 ½ today, ready to start kindergarten. But when she was taken off life support, she was only 3. There was evidence of repeated injuries over time with bruises on her chest, her head, her tiny back, her arm, leg and stomach.

David Gharrett, once the boyfriend of Destiny’s mother, was sentenced Friday to 76 years in prison. Her mother, on two years of probation for child endangerment, wasn’t there. But other relatives were. The courtroom was choked with emotion. I wondered if any of Destiny’s family had seen something, had known something, but didn’t act. Just the opposite was true.

Elizabeth Cox Nelson, Destiny’s aunt, told me she personally called the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services 15 times. “I was told that if I called again, I’d be arrested for harassment,” she said after the sentencing.

I don’t know what DCFS did or didn’t do. But I know tragic events like this are not rare around here.”

Vogel: A sentencing, a sad day for all, a need to act

[Pantagraph 7/27/13 by Steve Vogel]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

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