How Could You? Hall of Shame-Mandisa Sizemore case-Child Death UPDATED and Lawsuit now Bittersweet Justice

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 Cuyahoga County, Ohio, the “family of 22-month-old Mandisa Sizemore is searching for answers after the young girl died unexpectedly while in foster care.

According to a spokesperson for Cuyahoga County, the Department of Children and Family Services requested and was granted custody of the girl on April 27th. The child was placed in a home Sizemore’s family was familiar with. But less than two months later, she died on June 16.[2020]

Family members say they were never satisfied by the county taking custody or placing her in foster care.

“The parents and the family had already reported this lady previously about abuse with this child,” said Stanley Jackson who is the managing attorney at the Cochran Firm speaking on behalf of Sizemore’s extended family.

“The child, at one point a few months prior to that, had busted blood vessels in her eyes, a busted lip. [She] was taken to the hospital emergency for that – nothing was done.”

Jackson says they also believe it was neglect that led to her death.

“Mandisa Sizemore was unattended. And she was apparently chewing playing cards and died,” said Jackson.

According to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s office, Sizemore’s death was caused by “choking on foreign material.” In all caps, it also says “ACCIDENTAL.” But still, her family wants a complete investigation into the foster mother and the home where she was placed.

According to Jackson, investigators were immediately dissatisfied by what they saw at the foster home on the night of Sizemore’s death.

“The conditions when they arrived were deplorable,” Jackson recalls. “And I mean that in the sense that it was not a place that anyone would believe that foster kids could live or a home that would have been approved by any agency.”

The county spokesperson says the foster home has been in use for about 10 years, adding that procedure requires that if a child is placed in a home, the social worker must visit the home and see the child at least once a month. According to the county, records show the social worker visited more often than recorded.

3News has requested, but not yet received, a copy of the records cited by officials.

While Sizemore’s death has been ruled accidental by the medical examiner, Sizemore’s family wants to see the foster mother and the County held accountable based on what they know so far.

“We’re all a part of this community,” said Jackson. “And we’re embarrassed by the fact that we have a system that is not adequate to make sure that our children are protected.”

The investigation by the Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services is ongoing.”

Family of 22-month-old says child died in care of Cuyahoga County assigned foster home
[WKYC 6/25/2020 by Brandon Simmons]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update:“The family of a 22-month-old girl, who died earlier this year while in foster care, announced Monday they have filed a lawsuit against the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services and others they allege are responsible for the girl’s death.

“The child, Mandisa Sizemore, was in the temporary custody of a foster mother and under the care of Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services when she was allegedly left unattended and choked to death June 16, 2020,” according to a press release from the Cochran Firm.

As 3News reported back in June, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Mandisa’s death as accidental, saying it was caused by “choking on foreign material.”

“The child’s parents, Dayou Bruce and William Sizemore, Jr., were not notified of the child’s death by either the foster mother or their case worker,” officials with the Cochran Firm said. “It was only when the couple went to DCFS in person on June 17, 2020 to inquire about their child’s well-being that they were told about Mandisa’s tragic passing.”

The family’s attorneys say Mandisa’s family is demanding a complete overhaul of the DCFS system regarding both the care of children and parental notification in the event of an incident.

“Her death violated the mission and vision statement of this department,” said attorney Shean Williams with the Cochran Firm. “That statement says: ‘To improve the lives of children as the result of attention, care and support.’”

Family sues Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services after 22-month-old girl dies while in foster care
[WKYC 11/9/2020]

Update 2:“Cuyahoga County agreed to pay $1 million to the family of a 1-year-old girl who choked to death on a piece of paper product after she was placed in foster care.

County Council is set to vote Tuesday on whether to approve the proposed settlement to the estate of Mandisa Sizemore.

Mandisa was 22 months old when she swallowed what investigators believe was a paper towel after her foster mother, Angela Owens, left the girl and her 10-year-old foster sister alone in the older girl’s room on June 15, 2020.”

Cuyahoga County set to pay $1M to parents of toddler who choked to death in foster care
[Cleveland 10/11/22]