REFORM Talk’s Forgotten Angels 2025

In 2025, we honor US adopted children that are missing; missing and presumed dead; and/or related to the out-of-original family placements and surrogacy industry that are otherwise forgotten since December 31, 2025 and years earlier that we have discovered.

This post includes all child deaths and children missing from US foster care or adoptions and adult adoptee or foster care deaths as well as those otherwise forgotten that we could find.

Still Missing

The 400 children presumably disrupted from Russia. See here.

Still Missing and Presumed Dead

Kaya Centeno. See here. From Rohnert Park, California, this 2010 case of adoptee Kaya, 8, “went missing” 10 years ago. Her adoptive parents were arrested for abuse and sexual abuse of her siblings.In 2011, it was brought to light that two adoptees from the same family were missing: Austin and Edward Dylan Bryant. See the case  here.

A child nicknamed Moo, foster child of Judith Leekin . See the case here.

Rilya Wilson, 4, went missing in December 2000. In 2011, her foster mother was ordered to trial. It was delayed until end of 2012. Geralyn Graham was sentenced to 55 years in 2013 though they haven’t found Rilya’s body. See  here.

Jhessye Shockley. See here. Jhessye’s mother, Jerice Hunter, had been convicted of child abuse and served 4 years in a California prison. After being released in 2010,  Arizona CPS allowed Jerice to take custody of Jhessye from Shirley. On a day in October 2011 when Shirley Johnson was in Maricopa County Superior Court for a custody hearing, Jerice reported Jhessye  as missing. Jhessye’s body has never been found.The case is NOT closed. See this article from October 2021 here.

Hasanni Campbell. See here. From Fremont, California, disabled foster child Hasanni Campbell, who was five when he disappeared on  August 10, 2009. His foster mother was his aunt.His foster father, Louis Ross, told police he parked in a Rockridge neighborhood, taking his daughter into a shoe store while leaving Hasanni, who wore leg braces due to cerebral palsy, inside the car. When he returned, Hasanni was gone.

Medically-Related

Amya Haas. From Carmel, Indiana, this July 24, 2025 case involves domestic adoptee Amya, 22, who died from drowning in the Eagle Creek Reservoir in Indianapolis, Indiana. She dove into the water and didn’t resurface. She was a lifeguard and an artist and studying to be a pharmacy technician.

Thaddeus Wilk Farrow. From Torrington, Connecticut, this September 17, 2025 case involves an Indian adoptee, Thaddeus, 27, who died from a car accident in Connecticut. He was the son of actress Mia Farrow. He had contracted polio in an orphanage and was paralyzed from the waist down.

Na’Onche Osborne. From North Las Vegas Nevada, this March 27, 2025 case involves a domestic adoptee, Na’onche, 23, who died via gunfire after a shooting at the Aliante Casino. He was former Nevada state senator Pat Spearman’s son.

7-Year-Old Nameless Child. See here.From Livingston, Tennessee, this November 15, 2025 case involves a nameless 7-year-old adoptee who died in a fire.They were having a birthday party. Three children died, but only one child was an adopted child.They don’t give the child’s name or sex or the names of the adoptive parents .[Good reporting!Not!]

Adult Adoptee Deaths

Caterina Whitten.See here.From Lowell, Arkansas, this January 3, 2025 case involves Caterina, 29,who was blind and diagnosed with Fraser syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, who died from negligent homicide when she stopped breathing. Her adoptive father, David Whitten, was arrested and pleaded not guilty.This case is ongoing.

Ty Carter. See here.From Chelsea, Maine, this June 11, 2025 involves Ty, 22, who was killed by his juvenile foster brother.The teenager used a knife to attack Christopher Hunnewell [Ty’s adoptive father]. When Ty Carter came to his father’s aid, he was also killed and his fiancée, the sole witness, escaped after being injured and called 911.

Mackenzi Felmlee. See here. From Belleville, Illinois, this May 11, 2024 case involves Mackenzi,18, who died from a pulmonary embolism due to blood clots, allegedly from constricting plastic bags placed on her legs. Mackenzi, who had been declared a ward of the state and placed in foster care, weighed 90 pounds at death, down from 130. Police and hospital staff observed evidence of trauma, dehydration, and injuries in several healing stages.A grand jury indicting foster carers Shameka S. Williams, 46, and Cornelia M. Reid, 64. with charges including first-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, multiple counts of battery, intimidation, and unlawful restraint. This case is ongoing.

Child Deaths-Adoption

Kylie Toberman. See here . From Vandalia, Illinois, this November 14, 2025 case involves Kylie, 14, who was found dead in tote bag inside an RV found behind her adoptive parents home. Her step-adoptive-uncle, Arnold Rivera, did it. He was sexually abusing her and then strangled her with jumper cables. He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, criminal sexual assault and concealing a homicidal death. This case is ongoing.

Mialah Leak. See here.From Muskegon, Michigan,this November 23, 2025 case involves Mialah, who was suffocated to death by her adoptive mother, Sherry Lee Leak. Sherry was arrested and is being held in jail for manslaughter. This case is ongoing.

Berko Givens. See here. From Canton, Ohio,this May 5, 2025 case involves Berko,3, who was starved to death by his adoptive father,Demetres Givens. Demetres was indicted for involuntary manslaughter and and child endangerment. His final pretrial hearing is set for 02/12/2026.

Michael Miranda. See here. From San Antonio, Texas, this September 24, 2025 case involves Michael,10, who died from severe blunt force trauma to the abdomen. His adoptive parents,Christine and Jonathan Miranda, have been arrested and are charged with capital murder.The affidavit reads as follows “authorities noted Michael Miranda was very small for his age and appeared to show “signs of possible starvation and malnutrition.Christina Miranda told investigators that she and Jonathon Miranda had monitored the boy in the laundry room for “the past couple days” due to an illness. The laundry room had been examined and it was apparent that it had been arranged, and had been occupied, for much longer than the two days that were being reported.People who lived inside the home corroborated statements that the boy was physically assaulted daily, describing methods of assault including hitting with paddles .This case is ongoing.

13-Year-Old Adoptee. See here. From Sebring, Florida, this November 15, 2024 case involves the 13-year-old adoptee who died from severe abuse. They arrested the adoptive mother,Diane Natasha Mack, and she was indicted for first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, kidnapping, and tampering with evidence. This case is ongoing.

Azaeliyah Pili-Ah You. See here. This December 22, 2023 case involves Aaliyah, 11, who was killed by her adoptive mother Sina Pili. Azaeliyah Pili-Ah You was lying unresponsive with bruises to various parts of her body, including her face. She was taken to Kahuku Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Sina was arrested and indicted for manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a minor and persistent nonsupport of her adoptive daughter. this case is ongoing.

Isaiah Sparks. See  . From Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado, this February 18, 2020 case involves Isaiah,7, who died while ingesting too much sodium, the coroner found, likely due to drinking olive brine. Of course , his adoptive parents Jonathan and Elizabeth Stark won’t be charged with anything , due to Jonathan being police officer.

Child Deaths-Group-Respite Home/RTC/Hospital/Juvenile Justice Facility/CPS office/Guardian/Therapeutic Boarding School

Emily Pike. See here.From Mesa, Arizona, this January 27, 2025 case involves Emily,14,  who was found dismembered and stuffed into trash bags on the side of a highway. Her torso and head were in one bag and her legs in another. Authorities have yet to find her arms. This case is ongoing.

Kanaiyah Ward. See here. From Prince George’s county, Maryland, this September 22, 2025 case involves Kanaiyah, 16, who died by suicide in a hotel that DCS placed her in. No charges have been filed.

Justin Williams. See here. From Kingstree, South Carolina, this January 25, 2024 case involves Justin,13, who killed himself at the Broadstep Kingstree Behavioral Health facility. No one was charged.

Owen Rosario. See here. From Detroit, Michigan, this September 19, 2024 case involves Owen, 9, who died from untreated pneumonia. His legal guardians were arrested and charged with felony murder, torture, and involuntary manslaughter.The medical examiner ruled the cause of death as a ‘rare pneumonia’ and concluded the death was a homicide because progressive symptoms had been ignored for an extended period.Prosecutors allege the boy was neglected and physically abused and that the trauma from continued abuse and neglect led to his death. An officer who responded said during the preliminary hearing that he saw “a lot of marks pretty much head to toe, all over his body, front and back,” and bruising “on the back of his head, almost like bedsores, and on his backside.

Ke’Torrius ‘KJ’ Starkes Jr. See here. From Birmingham, Alabama,this July 22, 2025 case involves KJ,3, who died when his case worker left him in a hot car. His case worker,Kela Stanford, was arrested and charged with leaving a child or an incapacitated person unattended in a car. She bonded out the same day she was arrested. This case is ongoing.

11-Year-old Foster Boy. See here. From Greenville, Texas, this Novemberv27, 2024 case involves an 11-year-old boy who died seeing a movie at the Greenville movie theater. They think it might have been caused by an underlying illness related to stomach pain or from a wound that he had on his head. No charges have been brought.

Malachi Portwood. See here. From Bluffdale, Utah, this 2023 case involves autistic Malachi, who was shot dead by police after stealing a U.S. Army van. Several employees and directors of Future Rising Agency were later charged with neglect and evidence tampering, due to their hiding that were incompetent in keeping this autistic child at their facility.

Jaydun Garcia. See here. From Albuquerque, New Mexico, this April 11, 2025 case involves Jaydun who killed himself in a congregate care facility operated by AMI Kids. This placement is contrary to the legal obligations imposed on CYFD under the Kevin S. settlement agreement and strongly opposed by child welfare experts who have noted the adverse effects on the mental health of traumatized children like Jaydun. No charges will be made.

Child Deaths-US Foster Care and Receiving Homes

Neyali Perez. See here.From Houston, Texas, this March 2024 case involves Nepali,16, who was just 78 pounds when she died and suffered from several horrific injuries. She had stab wounds to the genitals, suffering from dehydration and malnutrition. Her foster mother, Tracy Gonzales,was arrested for injury to a disabled person on December 30, 2024. This case is ongoing.

Skylar Magana. See here . From Albuquerque, New Mexico, this June 21, 2025 case involves Skylar , 10-months-old, who died from child abuse. She was brain dead and found with no pulse when the caseworker found her. This case is ongoing.

3-Year-Old Foster Girl. See here. From Stanley, North Dakota, this March 19, 2025 case involves the 3-year-old autistic foster girl who died from blunt trauma to he head by her foster parents, Jamie and Raymond Johnson. Raymond and Jamie were arrested and will have their pre-trial conference on 1/15/26.

Renesmay Eutsey. See here .From Fayette County, Pennsylvania, this case involves Renesmay,9,  who died before September 2025. She was found in a tote bag submerged in the Youghiogheny River. Her foster parents, Kourtney Eutsey and Sarah Shipley, were arrested and will have the death penalty initiated in this case. This case is ongoing.

Kane Holden. See here.From Chula Vista, California, this October, 31, 2025 case involves Kane,15, fatally shot while at a Halloween Party. A fellow partygoer,David Garcia, was arrested. This case is ongoing.

D.P.. See here. From North Carolina, this October 27, 2025 case involves DP, 17, who killed his foster parents and himself.Joann Nicole Chavis, 46, and Ted Matthew Chavis, 53 – died of “multiple stab wounds, [I include this one here because we will never know if he was been abused by them or not.] Stabbing deaths usually involve payback. The investigation is ongoing.

Catherine Smith. See here.From Louisiana, This October 31, 1970 case involves Catherine who died a fire set by her crazed foster father, William Schrader, who just died in jail this past year.Catherine died protecting her sister.

Sy’vir Hill. See here. From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this April 2025 case involves, Sy’vir, 20-months-old, who died in a bathtub. The foster mom put 20-month-old Hill, a 2-year-old, and a 4-year-old in a bathtub together and then went downstairs to cook food in the kitchen. During that time, Hill drowned in the tub. The lawsuit says the 4-year-old, who was in the bathtub, later told DHS investigators that the 2-year-old intentionally drowned Hill. No criminal charges have been filed.

Kemari Morgan. See here.From Roxbury, North Carolina, this May 24, 2025 case involves Kemari,an infant, who died from a fatal overdose of multiple medications. His foster mother, Latisha Annette Linzsey, was arrested on a second-degree murder charge.The case is ongoing.

10-month-old Girl. See here. From Albuquerque, New Mexico, this June 20, 2025 case involves a 10-moth-old girl who died from severe brain trauma stemming from abuse. They arrested the foster mother,Denise Vazquez-Browley. She has her Pretrial Conference/Docket Call on 6/5/26.

13-Year-Old Boy. See here. From Drums, Pennsylvania, this August 5, 2025 case involves the 13-year-old boy who died after being beaten bybhis foster father, Cesar Delgadillo, His foster father was arrested. This case in ongoing.

Hudley Owen Hamlett. See here.From Madison Heights, Virginia, this July 31, 2025 case involves Hudley,2, who died after being left in the backseat of a car for “over eight hours,” by his foster dad, Brian Dalton.Brian Dalton, was arrested and charged with child abuse and neglect, as well as involuntary manslaughter. This case is ongoing.

Benjamin Yellow Eyes. See here.From Crookston, Nebraska, this October 8, 2024 case involves Benjamin, 10-months-old, who died from child abuse. They arrested his foster mother, Aquila Herman, and charged her with manslaughter, first-degree assault and committing child abuse negligently resulting in death of Benjamin.This case is ongoing.

7-Month-Old child.  See here. From Hamlet, North Carolina, this June 9, 2025 case involves the 7-month-old child, who died after being left inside a hot minivan.They arrested the foster mother, Djuna Tillman Bostick and have charged her with negligent child abuse and involuntary manslaughter. This case is ongoing.

Child Death-CPS Fail 

Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia. See here . From New Britain, Connecticut, this case involves Mimi,12, who died in the fall of 2024.She was starved. She weighed 26-27 pounds when she died. Her body was found in a plastic bag covered with a comforter and sheets in a laundry basket inside a plastic bin that was left at an abandoned property and discovered in October 2025. Mimi’s mother, Karla Garcia, 29, was arrested and charged with a number of counts including murder with special circumstances, conspiracy to commit murder with special circumstances, improper disposal of a dead body and intentional cruelty to a child under the age of 19.Garcia pleaded not guilty and is being held on a $5 million bond. Torres-García’s father Victor Torres, seeks $100 million in damages — $75 million in Torres-García’s case and an additional $25 million in her sister’s case. These cases are ongoing.

A’zella Ortiz. See here.From Worcester, Massachusetts, this October 15, 2024 case involves A’Zella,4, who died from chronic neglect. She was bruised, malnourished and unresponsive.Her father, Francisco Ortiz, is facing several charges, including assault and battery on a child with substantial injury and reckless endangerment of a child.He also abussing A’zella’s two siblings.

Oakley Carlson. See here. From Oakville, Washington, this case involves, Oakley,4, who went missing in February 2021. She was declared dead on October 6, 2025.Oakley was reported missing by her parents in December 2021, but the last time anyone saw her was February 2021. In December 2021, after a fire damaged the family’s home forcing them to temporarily relocate. That’s when a local school principal became concerned after talking with one of Oakley’s siblings.On December 6, Oakley’s fifth birthday, police were sent out to do a welfare check. Det. Sgt. Paul Logan of the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office said Oakley’s parents were uncooperative when asked about their daughter’s whereabouts. Andrew Carlson, a former Aberdeen police officer, and Jordan Bowers — were briefly held in jail on suspicion of manslaughter. While formal charges were never filed, the couple was later prosecuted for crimes related to their treatment of their other children.This spring, both parents were sentenced after pleading guilty to child endangerment with a controlled substance for exposing their kids to methamphetamine.

Rykelan Brown. See here. From DeWitt, New York, this May 29, 2024 case involves Rykelan, 4, who died from being beat to death by his father. He was in foster care, but they placed him back with his father who subsequently killed him. They arrested his father,Joshua Emmons, and charged him with first degree manslaughter. He pled guilty to second degree manslaughter and received 25 years in jail.

Genesis Mata. See here. From Kern County, California, this August 2, 2025 case involves Genesis,8, who was killed with substantial trauma in a bathtub. Her father and girlfriend, Ray Mata Jr., 31, of Bakersfield and Graciela Bustamonte, 27, of Delano were arrested on suspicion of murder, torture and multiple counts of child abuse.they had pled not-guilty to seven charges, felony stacked on felony, legal language only hinting at atrocities inflicted on the innocent child. This case is ongoing.

A’Layah Joyner. See here. From Georgia, this April4, 2025 case involves A’Layah, 2, who died in a trailer park of her dad’s cousin. She was murdered. She was supposed to go to her father but that didn’t work out ,so her father’s cousin took her in and the she was killed. CPS fail, big time!

REFORM Puzzle Piece