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 Grand Rapids, Michigan, 30-year-old foster parent, Joy Heaven (you just can’t make this stuff up) pleaded no contest to second-degree murder of a 5-year-old girl that was in her care. This is in hopes to avoid the mandatory life sentence for felony murder. She now faces 15 to 35 years with the possibility of life.
On July 17, 2010, Joy pushed the girl hard enough to send her across the kitchen floor where she hit her head and became unconscious. Joy claims that she, “had a stressful time with the girl wetting herself, not taking her medicine, then getting in the way as Heaven also cared for Emily’s disabled twin sister.”
“A medical examiner ruled Emily’s death to be from a traumatic brain injury sustained when she struck her head. The injury required significant force and is not consistent with a simple push and fall, forensic pathologist Stephen Cohle testified earlier.”
[The Grand Rapids Press 2/21/11 by Nate Reens]
Update: Joy Heaven was sentenced to 25 to 50 years on Thursday.
“The Gaines Township woman was caring for Emily and Tiffany Meno, five-year-old developmentally disabled twins. Heaven told police that she pushed Emily because the child wet the bed and interfered with the care of her sister.
“She smashed her,” says Lori Meno during a WZZM 13 interview in February. “Threw her on the floor and she hit her head against the wall or on the kitchen floor.”
The twins were temporarily taken from Lori Meno a year ago to give her time to improve her parenting skills. Meno said she is working to regain custody of Tiffany. ”
Joy Heaven sentenced for killing foster daughter
[WZZM ABC13 3/24/11 by Bob Brenzing, Matt Campbell, Steve Patterson, Jessica Puchala]
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