How Could You? Hall of Shame – Tia Ann Jones case-Child Death UPDATED

By on 1-06-2014 in Abuse in adoption, How could you? Hall of Shame, Ohio, Randy and Carissa Jones, Tia Ann Jones

How Could You? Hall of Shame – Tia Ann Jones 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 Richmond Heights, Ohio, Randy, 41, and Carissa Jones, 44, “have been charged with involuntary manslaughter, child endangering and allowing child abuse” of their adopted daughter — 12 year old Tia Ann Jones. Tia Ann died in February.

“The autopsy showed “more than 80” scratches, bruises and scars on her body. But it was a festering staph infection in her legs and pneumonia that took her life.

The medical examiner’s report paints a very grim, horrible picture. Tia’s adoptive parents, Randy and Carissa Jones of Richmond Heights, have been indicted for her death.

In addition to numerous injuries and scars found on Tia’s body, the 12-year-old who weighed just 64 pounds. We talked to a neighbor who was friends with the family and even baby-sat for Tia. He says they seemed like a happy family.

“Never saw anything suspicious. We cooked out together and talked,” said the neighbor.

An acute hemorrhage on Tia’s buttocks that measured 9 inches by 2 inches was also noted in the report.

Richmond Heights police never had calls to the Jones family house. Children’s Services never had any reports on the family. Tia was the only child in the home. They moved here from Fort Myers, Fla.

A court date has been set for Dec. 13.”

 

Richmond Heights parents indicted in adopted daughter’s death

[WKYC 12/3/13 by Kim Wheeler]

“A judge has set bond at $25,000 each for a mother and father accused of contributing to the death of their adoptive daughter.

Carissa and Randy Jones each face charges of involuntary manslaughter, endangering children and permitting child abuse. The charges are related to the death of 12-year-old Tia Ann Jones who died in February.

According to the medical examiner’s autopsy report, Tia weighed just 64 pounds at the time of her death. The report says the child’s body had “more than 80″ scratches, bruises and scars. The report blamed a festering staph infection in her legs and pneumonia for the girl’s death.

Both Carissa and Randy Jones pleaded not guilty to charges in court.”

Parents arraigned in connection with adopted daughter’s death

[WKYC 12/9/13 by Staff]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

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Update: A Search of the Cuyahoga County records shows that Randy and Carissa have a trial set for 11/17/14.

Update 2: “A Cuyahoga County Grand Jury found a Richmond Heights couple guilty of causing their adoptive daughter’s death.

The jury delivered a guilty verdict Monday afternoon on charges of involuntary manslaughter, endangering children and permitting child abuse against Randy and Carissa Jones.

12-year-old Tia Ann Jones, who was the only child in their home, died in February of 2013. An autopsy showed “more than 80″ scratches, bruises and scars on her body, but the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office says pneumonia and a staph infection in her legs ultimately caused her death.

Tia weighed just 64 pounds.

Richmond Heights police never had calls to the house, and Children’s Services never had any reports on the family.”

Local parents found guilty in adoptive child’s death[WKYC 5/18/15 ]

11 Comments

  1. I personally know Randy & Carissa Jones and know them to be great parents to Tia (RIP). They are also very nice, educated, & God fearing people.
    Once the jury hears the case, the Jones’ will be vindicated. God bless this family in the name of Jesus.

    • Chuck… sometimes we meet people and we think they’re the nicest people in the world, and we’re wrong about them. Sometimes those who hurt the innocent are very, very good at hiding their true nature from the greater world. They look like perfect Christians, like good neighbors, like the perfect family; but behind closed doors they are hurting the most innocent and vulnerable among us. Let the courts decide their guilt, but know that your impression of them might not be the full story.

  2. They’re great parents who allowed a festering staph infection to go untreated? And lets not forget those 80+ “cuts, bruises, and scars”– what caused THEM?

    You do realize that close friends and relatives of the defendants being tried aren’t allowed to serve on juries, don’t you? I can’t imagine any objective jury that would vindicate any parents under these circumstances. If they aren’t guilty of abuse, they’re guilty of neglect.

  3. Although they are innocent until proven guilty, I’d like to know what really happened & why they felt she didn’t need medical attention.

  4. Where were the other people in this child’s life? neighbors, church members school teachers ??? A festering 9 inch wound would be painful. How did she go to school or church without being noticed? Sepsis takes some time to progress to death, doesn’t it?

    • Marrissa,

      A lot of Rescue Adopters homeschool– and a portion of those “homechurch” as well. Plus the wound was on her buttock; NOT a part of the anatomy exposed to public viewing.

      In any event, failure on the part of bystanders to notice Tia Ann’s distress doesn’t exculpate her parents. They’re still accountable for their own actions… or lack thereof.

      • This was a horrible case of neglect and abuse. The parents will never get what they deserve and will resume their lives in a relatively short period of time. Tia will never be able to face those that extinguished her light. I encourage all to be attentive and curious to children who are abused. The signs are there even with what appears to be upstanding members of our society. These parents(I use the term for designation only) were starving, torturing, and killing(killed) this child without any regard for her life. God has you now!!!! R.I.P..

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