3-year-old killed in foster care

Andrea King

James Earl Bradley Jr.Three-year-old James Earl Bradley Jr. of Detroit died last week after he received a blunt-force trauma to the head in a Van Buren Township foster home, according to officials.

“We’re not sure how it happened,” said Capt. Greg Laurain of the Van Buren Township Public Safety Department. “Medical personnel said it could have been shaken-baby syndrome. We’re awaiting autopsy reports.”

The incident took place on April 8 when police were called to the Sadie Lane home on a medical run, Laurain said.

The boy, who was the foster child of Christine Woodward and her husband Lasana Karva, was suffering from seizures at the time. Another 10-year-old foster child found him in an upstairs bedroom, according to reports.

“Apparently the mother (Woodward) complained she was sick with the flu and was downstairs,” Laurain said.

The boy was immediately taken to Annapolis Hospital in Wayne, but medical professionals recommended he be moved to Mott’s Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. He remained on life support until he died April 13.

Shortly after, the Michigan of Department of Human Services Office of Children and Adult Licensing issued a suspension and notice of intent to revoke Woodward’s day care license. The action was the result of an investigation into a complaint filed against the child daycare home. Violations of the Child Care Organizations Act and administrative rules regarding caregiver and childcare home family and indoor space were found, officials said.

Maureen Sorbet, spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Human Resources, said she couldn’t comment further because of the ongoing investigation.

“We’re responsible for licensing daycares and their regulations,” she said. “It is closed now, but there’s an ongoing appeal to decide whether to uphold the actions.”

In the meantime, Woodward can no longer operate a daycare at her Sadie Lane residence or at any other location. The order also requires her to inform all of the parents of children formerly in her care about the suspension, according to officials.

Woodward, who was licensed to care for six children, first received her registration in October 2006. She could not be reached for comment.

No formal police charges have been made, but the case remains under investigation, officials said.