How Could You? Hall of Shame-Ezra Monroe

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 Newark, New Jersey, a 15-year-old foster child was allegedly shot in the hand by his foster brother Ezra Monroe, 18. He was arrested on Monday August 27, 2012. “Police charged Ezra Monroe, an 18-year-old resident of Laurel Woods in Newark, with shooting his foster brother and also linked him to a burglary that had occurred within the same community earlier in the month, police said.”

“According to a press release from New Castle County Police, county police, paramedics and ambulance personnel from the Christiana Fire Company responded to the unit block of Danbury Drive around 9:25 p.m. Monday  for an injured teen who had been possibly shot with a nail gun.

When officers arrived, they learned that a juvenile living in the home had actually sustained a gunshot wound to his right hand. Paramedics tended to the 15-year-old male victim at the scene and later transported him to Christiana Hospital, where he was treated for his injury.

The police investigation revealed that while they were inside the residence, the victim’s foster brother, later identified as Ezra Monroe, had discharged a shotgun and the bullet had struck the teen in the hand.

Monroe had fled from the home after the shooting, police said, but responding officers found him a short time later, and took him into custody without incident.

Detectives learned enough information to be able to obtain and execute a search warrant at the residence; during the search, police found a .50-caliber muzzleloader rifle and boxes of ammunition in the suspect’s bedroom.

Police also found other evidence that would help to link Monroe to a burglary reported on Aug. 13, that had occurred in the unit block of Wellington Drive.

Detectives confirmed that the rifle and ammunition – as well as two shotguns and a 9mm handgun – had been taken during that burglary.

Monroe allegedly sold the handgun and one of the shotguns a day after the burglary, police said. Police are still searching for the other shotgun allegedly used during the shooting.

Police charged Ezra Monroe with first-degree assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, in connection with the shooting.

Monroe also faces charges of second-degree burglary, criminal mischief, felony theft, possession of burglar tools and selling stolen property and theft of a firearm, from the alleged burglary.

Monroe was arraigned and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institute after failing to post $68,100 cash bail.”

Police: Newark teen arrested for shooting foster brother

[Newark Post Online 8/28/12]

REFORM Puzzle Piece