How Could You? Hall of Shame -Lisa Wilson UPDATED-Child Death

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 Cincinnati, Ohio, the February 18, 2011 death of 7-month-old foster child Ty’ionna Barfield has been ruled “undetermined” by the coroner. Single foster mother Lisa Wilson has been providing foster care for Lighthouse Youth Services since 2007. She was in the process of adopting a 15-month-old when she took in Ty’ionna and her 2- and 4-year old siblings.

Ty’ionna “was seen six times by four caregivers between Feb. 4 when she was placed in foster care and Feb. 18 when she died. Among those: Ty’ionna was seen by a JFS worker two days before her death. And a pediatric nurse did a complete exam of the infant four days before she died, Gregg said.

Neither reported seeing any injuries, he said.”

“Both the bones in Ty’ionna’s right arm were broken, according to Bhati.[Hamilton County Coroner]

“These injuries don’t explain the death of a 7-month-old baby,” Bhati said. But he added, “there is obvious abuse of the baby. You can explain bruises or abrasions (cuts) with a fall, but to have fractured both arm bones?”

Barfield had a history of sleep apnea, but that was discounted as a cause of death, Bhati said.”

North Hill College police are now investigating.

“Wilson’s adoption has been stopped and Ty’ionna’s siblings have been placed in other homes, Mecum [Lighthouse president and CEO] said.

Until the case is resolved, new children – with the exception of just a few where no other home could be found – aren’t being placed with any Lighthouse families.” according to the Hamilton County Job and Family Services spokesman.

Coroner: Dead Foster Child Was Abused

[Cincinnati.com 6/1/11 by Sharon Coolidge]

Update: New details emerge. “Moira Weir, director of the Hamilton County Job and Family Services, said they found fresh bruising to the child’s face, skull and on the side of her head; the baby’s arm was also broken.”

“On Feb. 5, a worker from Lighthouse Youth Services saw the child and on Feb. 10, Tyionna’s appointed child advocate went to visit her. Workers from job and family services also saw the baby on Feb. 11

A pediatric nurse performed a full examination of the 7-month-old on Feb. 14 and job and family services workers saw her again on Feb. 16.

Her biological mother, Tyhisha Moore, also visited Tyionna and said she didn’t notice anything unusual.”

Report: Dead 7-Month-Old Was Abused In Foster Home
[WLWT.com 6/2/11]

Update 2: Lisa Wilson’s foster license was revoked. This story amazingly does not mention the foster mother’s name. “The girl’s foster mother is getting her license revoked.

Lighthouse Youth Services officials asked state officials to de-certify the woman. But this investigation is far from over.

“The children services department has substantiated child abuse.”

Lighthouse Youth Services President Bob Mecum is quick to point out this is not the same as a Prosecutor charging the foster mom with child abuse.

“The threshholds are different.”

And for Childrens Services the threshold is the seven month old was in the care of a foster parent when she suffered the broken bones and bruises. This is the first time that a child has died while in a Lighthouse foster home. ”
Foster Mom’s License Revoked
[Local 12.com 6/4/11]

Update 3: “Seven-month-old Ty’ionna Barfield died Feb. 18 while in foster care, after suffering what Bhati called “obvious abuse.” Deters told The Enquirer that without additional information, no one will be charged. Police in North College Hill, where Ty’ionna died, investigated but couldn’t determine who inflicted the injuries. Officers were given conflicting timelines of events, Detective Dan Fritz said.

The Enquirer has made public record requests to Job and Family Services related to all three deaths and is awaiting agency response.”
JFS under scrutiny after father charged in boy’s death
[Cincinnati.com Cincinnati Enquirer 10/25/11 by Sharon Coolidge]

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