How Could You? Hall of Shame-Adrianna, Lexi, Cierra, and Wyatt Morris cases-Child Deaths 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 Clay, West Virginia, “authorities in West Virginia say four foster children have been killed in a house fire.

Deputy State Fire Marshal Jason Baltic tells news outlets the fire destroyed the home Saturday night in Clay.

The state Department of Health and Human Resources’ Bureau for Children and Families said in a statement Sunday the four killed were foster children.

Bureau commissioner Linda Watts says the bureau is “truly saddened by the loss experienced.”

Authorities say the victims were a 6-month-old boy and three girls ages 3, 4 and 8. Their names weren’t immediately released.

Baltic says two adults and two children escaped the home. They were taken to a Charleston hospital for treatment.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.”

Authorities: 4 foster kids die in West Virginia house fire

[WHSV 1/13/19 by AP]

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Update:“The bodies of four children have been recovered after they died in a fire at a home in Clay County late Saturday.

It happened on the … of Main Street in the town of Clay just after 11 p.m. Saturday.

West Virginia Deputy State Fire Marshal Jason Baltic says the cause of fire has not been determined, but he has no reason to believe there was any criminal activity involved.

The names of the children have not been released, but an EMT and friend of the family told WHSV’s sister station, WSAZ, the children were a a 6-month-old boy, and three girls ages 3, 4, and 8.

Crews spent roughly 16 hours Saturday into Sunday looking for the four children.

Baltic says it appears at least one of the children was trying to escape when the smoke and flames overpowered her.

“Today was a tragic event for four young foster children,” said Linda Watts, Commissioner for DHHR’s Bureau for Children and Families. “We are truly saddened by the loss experienced.”

Troopers say four other people were able to escape the home, including a 2-year-old boy. The surviving victims were taken to CAMC in Charleston for treatment.

The EMT says they are all in stable condition.”

West Virginia house fire that killed 4 not considered suspicious

[WHSV 1/14/19 by AP]

Update 2:““The Neffs said they were blessed to foster 8-year-old Adrianna, 4-year-old Lexi, 3-year-old Cierra, 6-month-old Wyatt and a 2-year-old boy who survived and is currently in another foster home.

The fire broke out after 11 p.m. Jan. 12. Ramsey-Neff recalled being jolted awake by her husband. She was asleep on the couch and woke to the room filled with heavy smoke.

Ramsey-Neff said she ran to her bedroom located on the first floor.

“There is fire all up the wall, and I run to the kitchen to get the fire. When I come back, the fire is all over the ceiling,” Ramsey said.

Ramsey-Neff recalled those unimaginable moments of trying to get to the four children upstairs, but the fire stopping her. She said during those moments, she can’t remember hearing anything, just screaming the children’s names and frantically searching for them.

The Neffs, her brother along with a neighbor, Travis Woods, broke windows outside on the balcony and attempted to rescue the children among the smoke and flames.

“I know people keep saying what they would have done different. Honestly, we tried our hardest with those kids because they were my life,” Ramsey-Neff said.

The couple said their home was filled with about 10 smoke alarms, two carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and they had a fire plan, which they practiced numerous times with the children.

Ramsey-Neff said since the fire, she has learned why her extinguisher wasn’t working and wants others to check to be aware.

“There is a white plastic piece that holds this right here in, and if you don’t take that off you can’t pull that pin whatsoever. I was squeezing and pointing the hose, but then I was like the pin, but I couldn’t get the pin out,” she said.

The Neffs home, which once was filled with laughter and love, is now left in ruins and still smells of fire. The couple says they don’t plan to rebuild there.

“A whole lot of us is still there,” Trevor Neff said.

The couple instead wants to turn that land into a park in the children’s memory, and for other families in Child Protective Services’ care to use. The Neffs said that the Clay house located near their burned down home is owned by the Department of Health and Human Resources and is a place where biological parents get to visit their children for several hours while in foster care.

Ramsey-Neff said half of it “will be for the foster kids and the other half would be a picnic table for loved ones because it has affected a lot of teachers, friends family and they can go there and mourn.”

The Neffs said while it’s all in the planning stages, they hope to use donations for the project and already have a name in mind.

“The name is kind of silly, but Unicorn Land,” Ramsey-Neff said.

Trevor Neff said the name does have a connection.

“Because the girls were crazy about those unicorns,” he said.

The couple said they hope to foster again when the time is right and are taking things day by day right now.

“I know they are little angels and are up there singing,” Ramsey-Neff said.”

Clay foster parents recall trying to rescue children while house was on fire

[WCHSTV 1/19/19 by Ashley Bishop]