How Could You? Hall of Shame-Yvonne Bailey 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 Ocala, Florida, 21-month-old foster child Yvonne Bailey died on July 8, 2013.

Yvonne “was removed from her home in October because of suspected abuse or neglect. Last month, she wound up in the care of Jennifer and Matthew McCague in Sanford.

The state Department of Children and Families said it specifically told the relative who was authorized by the court to care for Yvonne that the child was not supposed to be in the McCague home.

Nevertheless, the child was there on July 6 — the day she had to be hospitalized after suffering seizures. She died on July 8.

Social workers’ last visit with the child was July 2 in Marion County.

“The Department of Children and Families does not hold the authority to penalize caregivers through sanctions; however, the court has been notified of the violation of order, as well as the child’s death,” DCF said in a prepared statement.

Sanford police detectives said Matthew McCague, 28, is being held on a charge of first-degree murder. He was booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Seminole County on Wednesday.

McCague is on probation for grand theft; this arrest constitutes a violation of his probation terms, officials said.

About 4:35 p.m. on July 6, Sanford police and the Sanford Fire Department responded to a residence in the 1000 block of East Second Street because Yvonne was suffering seizures, according to a police news release.

The child was taken to Central Florida Regional Hospital and, due to her critical injuries, was flown to Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando.
Officials said the child had extensive bruising and head trauma. She was placed on life support and removed two days later, the release said.

The Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an initial investigation and ruled the death a homicide.

Once medical personnel completed their work and passed along their findings, authorities arrested Matthew McCague.

DCF said it removed Yvonne from her Marion County home in October for allegations related to substance abuse by her parents. It’s alleged the child had been burned because of exposure to methamphetamine, and her parents had been arrested on drug charges.

Yvonne was placed in a foster home, where she lived for nine months. During that time, relatives were identified and screened as potential caregivers.

With her parents’ blessing, the court ordered that Yvonne live with a relative name Amanda Miller, DCF said.

DCF officials said Yvonne’s case was being properly monitored, including personal visits with case managers.

According to DCF officials, Amanda Miller asked whether Jennifer McCague, also related to the child, could also be authorized to take care of Yvonne in Sanford.

Case managers working under the auspices of Kids Central Inc., which is the community-based care lead agency in Marion County, specifically denied that request after a background screen.

The biggest problem: issues with Jennifer McCague’s husband, Matthew.

DCF and Kid’s Central Inc. said that denial was not honored. During a July 2 home visit with the child in Marion County, there was no mention of plans to send Yvonne to Sanford.

Seven children who have had DCF involvement in their lives have died since mid-May. The department has ordered a review of procedures and sought assistance from the Casey Family Programs.”

Arrest in Marion County toddler’s death

[Ocala Star Banner 8/14/13 by Austin L. Miller]

See the obituary here.

 

REFORM Puzzle Piece

 

Update: “A man who admitted to beating and shaking a 21-month-old girl to death while baby sitting last year was sentenced to 30 years in prison Tuesday morning, Seminole County court officials said.

Matthew McCague called 911 on July 6, 2013 to report that the little girl had fallen inside his home. But a doctor said a fall was unlikely to have caused Yvonne Bailey’s seizure or her brain bleeding and retinal hemorrhaging.”

Seminole County man gets 30 years for beating toddler to death[Orlando Sentinel 5/27/14 by Desiree Stennett]