How Could You? Hall of Shame-Heaven Washington case-Child Death and Lawsuit

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.

A 2023 case has come to light.

From Dayton, Ohio, a group home resident, Heaven Washington, 15, was shot and killed by Tommy Moreland on November 17, 2023.

Heaven was “being driven by a group home staff member to get money from an ATM for a field trip later that day. As they were returning to the group home, the shooter’s rented vehicle pulled alongside their vehicle, and numerous shots were fired into the vehicle.

Washington was taken to the hospital, where she died. Sheriff detectives later identified Moreland as the driver of the suspect vehicle.”

Man indicted for deadly shooting of 15-year-old in Harrison Township
[Dayton 24/7 Now 3/14/24 by Jeffrey Shrock]

“Moreland fled from officers, and the car was later found in a rural area. The car was identified as the suspect vehicle and while detectives built their case, Moreland was only indicted for the charge of Failure to Comply with Law Enforcement.

On March 1, 2024, he was officially charged with offenses relating to the tragic shooting death of Washington.

On March 7, 2024, Morland arrived at the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court for an unrelated matter, where a MCSO Deputy recognized him.

“This guilty verdict is a step toward justice for Heaven Washington and her family,” they said. “We recognize the tireless work of our detectives, prosecutors, and deputies in bringing this case to justice.”

*******

“The man convicted of killing a teenage girl has learned his fate, and a woman was indicted for her involvement in the whole ordeal.

According to Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck, Tommy Moreland was sentenced to a maximum of 46.5 years in prison after fatally shooting Heaven Washington, 15, in November of 2023.

Sheriff Streck said Moreland was convicted of the following charges:

• Two counts of Murder
• Three counts of Felonious Assault
• Discharge of a Firearm Near Prohibited Premises
• Improper Handling of a Firearm in a Vehicle
• Two counts of Tampering with Evidence
• Failure to Comply with Law Enforcement.”

1 sentenced and another indicted in the fatal shooting of a local teen girl
[Dayton 24/7 Now 3/15/25 by Zeakia Jordan]

“The estate of 15-year-old Heaven Washington has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Reflections Group Home, LLC and two of its employees, alleging the group home failed to protect Washington, ultimately resulting in her tragic death.

“The lawsuit essentially alleges that Reflections Group Home didn’t do what they were supposed to do, which was ensure that heaven was safe and that she was with safe people,” Lou Schneider, the attorney representing Heaven Washington’s estate from Thomas Law Offices said. “This lawsuit seeks to hold Reflections Group Home accountable for the gross negligence that placed Heaven Washington in grave danger. The home was entrusted with her care and safety but instead exposed her to violent individuals unfit work with vulnerable youth. As Heaven’s family seeks justice, they want to ensure that no other child suffers from similar failures. Organizations caring for vulnerable youth have a fundamental duty to screen and supervise employees.”

The lawsuit accuses Reflections Group Home of being negligent in hiring and supervision.

The lawsuit also seeks to highlight the need for more rigorous standards in group homes, plus systemic failures within Reflections Group Home to put in place policies and oversight that would prevent people with violent histories from working with children. [Amen!]

Schneider explained the criminal cases are still active but the civil case is separate.

“The civil justice system is the other side of the coin in the court system,” said Schneider. “The only remedy that really is available in the civil justice system is money. […] That essentially reflects the responsibility that either a settlement or a jury is gonna put on somebody.”

The Montgomery County Prosecutor’s investigation determined that Montgomery County Children Services had temporary custody of Washington and had placed her in a group home.

According to investigators, on November 17, 2023, Heaven Washington was riding in a vehicle at Philadelphia Drive and Turner Road in Harrison Township, being driven by 26-year-old Baretta Byrdsong, a group home staff member, to get money from an ATM for a field trip later that day. As they were driving back to the group home, a rented car fired numerous shots into the vehicle, hitting Washington.

She was taken to Miami Valley Hospital, where she died.

Schneider talked about Washington’s parents and siblings, which are the family members included in her estate, about the loss.

“She had six brothers and sisters, and she was the oldest. They lost, obviously, their big sister,” said Schneider. “I just spoke to her dad today [Nov. 21]. Even though Heaven was in the foster care system and was in a group home, she was loved by her family.”

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Detectives identified 30-year-old Tommy Moreland as the driver of the rented car. He’s been indicted on charges of murder, felonious assault, improper handling of a firearm, discharging a firearm on or near a prohibited premises, improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, and tampering with evidence. Moreland is currently in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000,000 cash bond.

Investigators say Moreland and Byrdsong had an ongoing feud, and that Byrdsong was the apparent target of the shooting. Byrdsong has been indicted on charges involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide and endangering children. He is currently in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000,000 cash bond.

Investigators say 26-year-old Darrell Bostic was also in that rented car with Moreland. Bostic has been indicted on two counts of murder, three counts of felonious assault, one count of discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises, one count of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, and one count of having weapons while under disability. He is also being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000,000 cash bond.

At the state level, a bill is in the works to ensure kids placed in group homes are getting safe, stable and supportive care.

House Bill 583 is moving through the statehouse, and local representatives Phil Plummer and Andrea White have been leading the way.

Rep. Plummer talked about what they are hoping the bill will do.

“We’re trying to eliminate the over-saturation,” said Rep. Plummer. “Number two, we’re gonna mandate background checks [are] done on all employees. […] We’re trying to create more of a communication system where children services have to report everything to the Department of Youth Services. That’s a new department in the state of Ohio. […] The state of Ohio can come in and immediately suspend a group home license. […] The bill is ready to go. The fix is on the way, but the tragedies we’re seeing in these group homes right now, there’s no excusing this.” [What? Mandated background are NOT being done?]

The bill is expected to be voted out of committee next week, and the first week of December it should be voted on in the Ohio House of Representatives.”

Estate of 15-year-old girl killed files wrongful death lawsuit against group home

[Dayton 24/7 11/21/24 by Nina Pieri and Jenilee Borek]

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