Abuse cases

This archive contains cases of abuse of children within the child placement system.

Some of the these children have been killed, other's survived but suffered from:

In several cases the abuse was hidden from authorities under the pretext of homeschooling.

For an overview of abuse cases by location, see this map.

To make this list as complete as possible we can use your help. If you know of cases not covered, or know of articles not listed with the cases, please subscribe to this group and help maintain this section of the website or send links and articles to this mail address.

Millicent Ayala

6-year-old girl in foster care with her aunt Mary Ann Ayala, was beaten to death.
Date: 1992-02-15
Placement type: Foster care
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Foster mother

Location

Bronx, New York
United States
See map: Google Maps

Mitchell Alexander Rivers

3-month-old boy was suffocated to death by his adoptive father, Mitchell Charles Rivers.

In 1997, South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) found Rivers responsible for the hospitalization of a 2-year-old son of a former girlfriend who sustained a severe concussion and a severed skull fracture.
Date: 2005-08-12
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive father

Location

Chesterfield county, South Carolina
United States
See map: Google Maps

Modesto Blanco

22-month-old boy in foster care with Gilbert and Gracie Escobedo, was beaten to death by his uncle/foster father.
Date: 2002-03-02
Placement type: Foster care
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Foster father

Location

Lubbock, Texas
United States
See map: Google Maps

Mollie Sliker aka Laurne Clark

A four month old baby girl died due to blunt force trauma allegedly by Jeffrey Sliker who was in the process of adopting her. Sliker failed to obtain medical help for the child. Sliker's wife called authorities saying the infant was unresponsive. When rescuers arrived the child was dead.

Date: 2011-03-23
Placement type: To be adopted
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive father

Location

Watertown, New York
United States
See map: Google Maps

Monica Fabregas

13 year old girl adopted by Enrique Fabregas, a known drug abuser, who sexually abused her for years.  Enrique had been a boyfriend of Monica's bio mother at one time, but was not at the time of the adoption. Fabregas was also foster parent of Ruth and Estera Tamas. Despite numerous complaints over a ten year period no measures were taken. When finally Ruth and Estera filed complaints, they were taken out of the house, but it still took a year and a half before Monica was removed from Fabregas' house.
Date: 2006-06-07
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Sexual abuse
Abuser: Adoptive father

Location

Redmond, Washington
United States
See map: Google Maps

Monny Bolling

4-month-old girl was shaken to death by the 14-year-old son of a temporary foster mother.
Date: 1998-07-23
Placement type: Foster care
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Non-fostered sibling

Placement

Organizations: St. Joseph's Services for Children and Families

Location

New York, New York
United States
See map: Google Maps

Mykeeda Asheya Hampton

2-year-old girl in foster care with Geraldine Stevenson was beaten to death by her foster mother's 12-year-old son. She died of "blunt force injuries" to the head, stomach and back.
Date: 1987-08-00
Placement type: Foster care
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Non-fostered sibling

Location

Washington, District Of Columbia
United States
See map: Google Maps

Nadine Catherine Beaulieu

23-month-old girl in foster care with Clifford and Laura Richard. She died of a blow to her stomach while in a foster home in Winnipegosis, Manitoba in 1996.

Provincial Court Judge Roger Gregoire targeted Child and Family Services in his 200-page report into her death.

He says it handed over the toddler to foster parents who had criminal records and didn't monitor the home.

Nadine's foster parents were charged with manslaughter and failing to provide the necessities of life, but the case was thrown out due to RCMP mistakes in obtaining a statement from the accused.

In a statement to police, 33-year-old Clifford Richard said he hit Nadine in the stomach with a backhanded swing of his arm because he was angry she kept trying to get some fried chicken.
Date: 1996-02-21
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Foster father, Foster mother

Location

Winnipegosis, Manitoba
Canada
See map: Google Maps

Nathaniel Jacob Allen

21-month old boy, adopted from Guatemala by Jeremy and Sarah Allen was shaken to death. Nathaniel had been in the USA 10 months, since April the previous year. Sarah Allen was convicted of manslaughter for shaking Nathaniel. Jeremy Allen was convicted of assult for beating Nathaniel with a wooden spoon two days earlier when he didn't pick up his toys. Allens were considering becoming foster parents for a 2nd child when Nathaniel was killed.
Date: 2002-02-15
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Non-lethal physical abuse, Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive father, Adoptive mother

Location

Lisbon Falls, Maine
United States
See map: Google Maps

Nathaniel Michael Craver - (Ivan Skorobogatov)



Seven-year-old boy, adopted from Russia by Michael and Nanette Craver, was beaten to death by his adoptive parents. Together with his twin sisters Elizabeth (Dasha), the boy was adopted from the Chelyabinsk region, in 2003. Both children were home schooled.

Nathaniel body had nearly 80 external injuries – 20 of them to his head. Cravers were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, child endangerment and conspiracy.
Date: 2009-08-19
Placement type: Adoption
Institution: Dom Rebyenka #9, Troitsk, Chelyabinsk
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive father, Adoptive mother
Home schooling: yes

Location

Dillsburg, Pennsylvania
United States
See map: Google Maps

Nathaniel Saunsoci-Mitchell



20-month-old boy in foster care with Carlos and Tisha Vega suffered serious injuries -- a broken clavicle and dog bite on the face -- before he was hospitalized Sept. 22, 2006, with a fatal brain injury. He died two days later. The official cause of death was excess accumulation of water in the brain caused by non-accidental trauma.
Date: 2006-09-22
Placement type: Foster care
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Foster mother

Location

South Sioux City, South Dakota
United States
See map: Google Maps

Nicholas Rhea Hoffert and Gary Hoffert (Twins); and Girl adopted by David and Lynn Giddens

Three-month-old boy about to be adopted with his twin brother by David Michael Giddens and his wife Latresa Lynette "Lynn" Giddens (aka Lynn Williams), died shortly after he was struck by his stay-at-home foster dad, David. Giddens had had Multiple Sclerosis and was the primary care-giver. David was sentenced to two life terms. NIcholas' twin brother Gary was also found to have seven fractured ribs, two fractured lower leg bones and a fractured upper leg bone.

The 9 year old adopted daughter of David & Lynn reported sexual abuse while she was in temporary foster care. The daughter has special needs, and was expected to be placed with an aunt until Lynn was cleared of any wrongdoing. Latresa/Lynn filed for divorce after Nicholas death.
Date: 2006-02-10
Placement type: To be adopted
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse, Sexual abuse
Abuser: Adoptive father

Location

Cleburne, Texas
United States
See map: Google Maps

Nicolai Emelyantsev


14-month-old Nikolai, who was adopted in February 08 from Moscow City, Russia by Fyodor and Kimberly Emelyantsev— died March 7 at Primary Children's Medical Center. An autopsy determined the child had died from a skull fracture that doctors said was the result of blunt-force trauma, police and court records show. The infant also had a bruised face, head, knee and anus. Nikolai, his adopted brother Luka (also from Russia), and one of the Emelyantsev's bio children had Down's Syndrome.
Date: 2008-03-07
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive mother
Disabilities: yes

Placement

Location

tooele, Utah
United States
See map: Google Maps

Nicolas Zavala

Nicolas Zavala was placed in the custody of his grandmother Margaret E. Williams by Illinois DCFS after living in several foster homes. 6 months later, in Aug 2002, he disappeared. His skeletal remains were found in April 2003. No one has been charged in his murder.
His grandmother was convicted of felony neglect for administering excessive punishments. Nicolas was forced to kneel on a broomstick for 2 hours while holding heavy objects hands and to lean his forehead against a wall for several hours with his body at an incline and his feet two to three feet from the wall. Nicolas Uncle Miguel Campos who lived with the family at the time also participated in the discipline.
Mrs Williams homestudy was incomplete, did not include 2000 child abuse misdemeanors, and she sis not attend foster training. No one followed up to remove the child after Indiana refused the placement with Willaims
Date: 2002-08-04
Placement type: Foster care
Type of abuse: Non-lethal physical abuse, Non-lethal deprivation, Death by unknown cause
Abuser: Other family member, Undetermined

Post placement

Organizations: Guardian Angel Home, Joliet IL

Location

Oxford, Indiana
United States
See map: Google Maps

Nikolina Stoyanova aka Nicole Kuchler


Nikolina, adopted from Bulgaria in 1993 at age 4, was sexually abused by her adoptive father, (John Harold Kuchler aka John J Kuchler Jr. aka Justin M. Smith), with the assistance of her adoptive mother, (Janis Kuchler).
The abuse started when she was 10 and continued about 3 years until 2002 when she was removed from their care.
On April 20, 2012, she killed herself by swallowing an item handed to her by a careless nurse in a State Hospital.
Date: 2002-01-01
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Sexual abuse
Abuser: Adoptive father, Adoptive mother

Placement

Location

Pendleton, Oregon
United States
See map: Google Maps

Nilanthie Perera

13-year-old girl adopted from Sri Lanka by Samson and Dammika Perera, was murdered by her adoptive father. Parts of the Nilanthie's body were hidden under the floorboards; others were secreted in pot plants and a coffee jar. Samson Perera was given a life sentence, while Dammika Perera was jailed for helping him cover up the crime.
Date: 1985-01-01
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive father

Location

Wakefield, West Yorkshire
United Kingdom

Nina Hilt (Viktoria Valeryevna Bazhenova)



2-year-old girl adopted by Chris and Peggy Sue Hilt, died after suffering several blows to her abdomen. In March 2006, Peggy Hilt plead guilty to second degree murder to avoid a charge of first degree murder. She said that she was frustrated due to the lack of bonding between Nina and herself. May 25, 2006, Peggy Hilt was sentenced to 35 years in prison with 10 years suspended. Nina was adopted in January 2004 from Irkutsk, Russia. Nina had an older sister adopted in Ukraine.

Date: 2005-07-02
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive mother

Homestudy

Organizations: A Loving Family, Alexandria, Virginia

Post placement

Organizations: A Child's Hope, Raleigh, North Carolina

Location

Wake Forest, North Carolina
United States
See map: Google Maps

Passion Gardner

2-year-old girl in foster care with Nathaniel and Sonja Mitchell was shaken to death by her foster father.
Date: 2000-03-31
Placement type: Foster care
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Foster father

Location

Columbia, South Carolina
United States
See map: Google Maps

Phoebe and Joseph Dinkler

Siblings from Ukraine adopted 5 years prior to the abuse allegations by Georgia couple Earl and Deborah Dinkler. The children had been forced to run 15 laps around the property before breakfast "just about every day" for the last four years. If the parents weren’t satisfied with their children’s speed, they would be punished with a belt, a miniature baseball bat or a bamboo rod. The Dinklers also withheld food and water as punishment.
Deborah Lynn Williamson-Dinkler pleaded guilty, and Earl Thomas Dinkler was convicted of cruelty.
Date: 2007-08-09
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Non-lethal physical abuse, Non-lethal deprivation
Abuser: Adoptive father, Adoptive mother
Home schooling: yes

Location

McDonough, Georgia
United States
See map: Google Maps

Primary school-aged foster girl in Newcastle, Australia

A primary school-aged foster girl is raped by an employee of Family and Community Services, whose job it was to protect her.
Date: 2012-11-23
Placement type: Foster care
Type of abuse: Sexual abuse
Abuser: Other non-family member

Location

Newcastle, New South Wales
Australia

Queenie Baker

21-month-old girl in foster care with Edwin and Rosa Hall was beaten to death.
Date: 1995-05-24
Placement type: Foster care
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Foster mother

Location

New York, New York
United States
See map: Google Maps

Quintessa Murreld

3-year-old girl in foster care with her uncle, was beaten to death.
Date: 1991-02-00
Placement type: Foster care
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Foster father

Location

New York, New York
United States
See map: Google Maps

Quyzir Davis

3-year-old boy in foster care with Alethia McKee was beaten to death.
Date: 2005-08-23
Placement type: Foster care
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Foster mother

Location

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
United States
See map: Google Maps

Rachel Collins

10 month old girl died of head injuries inflicted by Doris J. Ravenscraft, her adoptive mother to be. Rachel, who had been in the home 8 months, had broken bones in her skull, a forearm and both lower legs. Mr. Ravenscraft was not charged.
Date: 1991-02-07
Placement type: To be adopted
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive mother

Post placement

Organizations: Missouri Division of Family Services

Location

St Charles, Missouri
United States
See map: Google Maps

Rachel Joy Thompson

5 year old girl adopted by Gerald and Angela Thompson. She was murdered by Angela Thompson who forced an older sibling to sit on her hunched back for more than three hours, squeezing the life out of her. She was convicted for the abuse of two other children she had adopted. In total the Thompsons adopted 11 children. Thompson told a co-worker "spare the rod, spoil the child". Siblings of Rachel later pressed charges against the adoption agency, which was placed on probation and its founder Audrey Foster has been permanently barred from serving as executive director at any of the agency's five branches around the state. The agency is now run by her daughter Alison Foster,
Date: 2000-09-07
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive mother
Fundamentalist faith: yes

Placement

Organizations: Family Connections Christian Adoptions

Location

Springfield, California
United States
See map: Google Maps

Randi Anderson

5-year-old girl in foster care with Sophillia Murray, was beaten to death by Ms. Murray and her son, Robert
Date: 1990-11-01
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Non-lethal physical abuse, Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Foster mother, Non-fostered sibling

Location

New York, New York
United States
See map: Google Maps

Rashid, boy adopted by Robert and Tracy Lynn Beatty

A three year old boy from Surgut in Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug was allegedly grabbed by the throat to keep him quiet and mistreated by his newly adoptive mother in a Moscow Hotel. The American couple had adopted Rashid a few days before and were still in Russia at the time of the event.
Date: 2005-06-03
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Non-lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive mother

Location

Moscow
Russia

Ricky Aragon

2-year-old boy placed in foster care with his maternal grandmother was beaten to death.
Date: 1993-04-00
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Foster mother

Location

Albuquerque, New Mexico
United States
See map: Google Maps

Ricky Holland (Ricky Gann)


For years Ricky had been maltreated and abused by his adopters Tim and Lisa Holland. In July 2005 he was killed by the couple parents and dumped in a swamp, claiming he had disappeared. Eventually Tim Holland led the police to the body on Jan. 27, 2006. Hours later, authorities picked up in connection with Ricky's death. Lisa and Tim Holland are in prison -- she for life and he for 30 to 60 years. 
Date: 2005-07-01
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse, Non-lethal neglect, Non-lethal deprivation
Abuser: Adoptive father, Adoptive mother
Home schooling: yes

Placement

Organizations: Family Services & Children's Aid in Jackson

Location

Summit Township, Michigan
United States
See map: Google Maps

Riley Owen Bilke

Riley Owne Bilke died April 3, 2004 from symptoms associated with shaken baby syndrome: brain hemorrhaging, retinal hemorrhaging, and brain swelling. His father,Todd Dittberner, who had a past non-violent criminal record, was charged with first-degree reckless homicide. Riley's mother was not charged. Dittberner was acquitted.
Date: 2004-04-03
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive father

Location

Watertown, Wisconsin
United States
See map: Google Maps

Rilya Wilson

Rilya Wilson missing in Florida
4 year old girl in foster care with Pamela Graham and her live in girlfriend Geralyn Graham, disappeared from the home in December 2000. DCF did not notice she was gone until April 2002 due to falsified reports. When Florida DCF finally realized Rilya was missing, Geralyn claimed a state worker had taken Rilya for testing and never returned with her. Geralyn had a criminal record, including fraud and grand theft, which was not discovered by DCF when they approved the foster home. She used many aliases and claimed at times that she was Rilya's Grandmother and/or that Pamela was her sister. After Rilya disappeared, Geralyn applied for food stamps based on having Rilya in her home. Eleven people were fired by DCF when Rilya's disappearance became known.
Prior to Rilya's disappearance, Geralyn Graham beat her with a switch, tied her to her bed by her wrists, glued a Halloween mask to her face, and confined her to a dog crate.

Though Rilya's body has not been found, in 2005, Geralyn Graham was charged with murder, child abuse and kidnapping after she allegedly confessed to a jail cellmate.
Date: 2002-04-01
Placement type: Foster care
Type of abuse: Non-lethal physical abuse, Economic exploitation, Death by unknown cause
Abuser: Foster mother

Placement

Persons: Willie Harris

Post placement

Persons: Deborah Muskelly

Location

Kendall, Florida
United States
See map: Google Maps

Robert Brown

23-month old boy in foster care with his aunt, Valerie Lacy-Walker, was severely beaten and placed in a water-filled tub.
Date: 1991-11-04
Placement type: Foster care
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Foster mother

Location

Los Angeles, California
United States
See map: Google Maps

Robert R. Whitman Jr. "Junior"

2-month old boy was found dead in his crib two days after being placed in foster care with a foster mother and father
Date: 2008-10-02
Placement type: Foster care
Type of abuse: Death by unknown cause
Abuser: Foster father, Undetermined

Placement

Organizations: Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare

Location

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
United States
See map: Google Maps

Roberta Evers

Berta, right front on Denis' lap.
6-year-old Roberta "Berta" Evers, sexually abused as a preschooler, adopted by Dennis and Sandy Evers, was restrained in her bed, covered with bruises, when found dead from choking on her own vomit. She was adopted after her 2 bio brothers were adopted by Evers.
Date: 1998-06-13
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Lethal neglect
Abuser: Adoptive father, Adoptive mother

Location

Bayfield, Colorado
United States
See map: Google Maps

Robley Carr Jr.



15-year-old boy in foster care overdosed on methadone his foster parent kept in the house after having been abused for years.
Date: 2006-12-10
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Non-lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Undetermined

Placement

Organizations: Washington Department of Social and Health Services

Location

Stevens County, Washington
United States
See map: Google Maps

Rochelle LeMajeur

3-year-old girl in foster care with Linda Lysaght was swaddled to calm her down, causing her to suffocate.
Date: 2001-06-24
Placement type: Foster care
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Foster mother

Location

Albuquerque, New Mexico
United States
See map: Google Maps

Rohit Chakravarthy

10 month old boy adopted by Smitha Chakravarthy and her husband. Allegedly the child was beaten to death and bite marks were found all over his body. The family was from India and was visiting in Texas when Rohit died.
Date: 2006-02-16
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive mother

Location

Mission, Texas
United States
See map: Google Maps

Romanian boy adopted by Spanish couple

7-year-old boy, adopted by a Spanish couple in 2001, was so severely beaten by his adopters he ended up in a coma. The boy had been hospitalized before because of abuse.
Date: 2006-06-16
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Non-lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive father, Adoptive mother

Location

Spain (Espana)

Rufus Young

Rufus Young, (aka Rufus Young Manzie Jr), 4, a foster child, died of a beating by his foster father, Roderick Hall of Detroit, after the boy had soiled himself. "I lost it," Hall told a homicide detective. "I grabbed him, and I hit him in his face and jaw." Hall pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and is serving 20-40 years in prison.
Date: 2003-04-06
Placement type: Foster care
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Foster father

Location

Detroit, Michigan
United States
See map: Google Maps

Ryanne E Spohn

18 month old girl adopted from Kazakhstan in November 2006 along with a sibling, died from suspected abusive head trauma 6 months after the adoption. Father Jeffrey Spohn was charged with first degree murder.
Date: 2007-03-02
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive father

Placement

Persons: Orson Mozes

Location

Seven Oaks, Florida
United States
See map: Google Maps

Ryuya Yoshimura

5-year-old adopted son of Yuki Yoshimura, a 26-year-old housewife, abused Ryuya, damaging his liver and lungs the boy died from loss of blood.
Date: 2005-12-09
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive mother

Location

Aichi
Japan

Sacha Vallée



4-years-old boy adopted by Marie-Claude Vallée, was beaten to death by his adoptive mother’s boyfriend, Éric Grenier. The corpse of the child was covered with 72 bruises. October 21, 2004, Grenier was found guilty of non-premeditated homicide.

Sacha was born in Russia in 1998. He had spent the first year of his life in a Siberian prison where his mother was imprisoned and where she died; the orphanage where he was transferred put him up for adoption. In August 2001, he was placed with Marie-Claude Vallée.
Date: 2002-10-09
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Other non-family member

Location

Verdun, Quebec
Canada
See map: Google Maps

Samantha and Saraphina Revelus

 
Samantha was murdered and Saraphina was stabbed by their non-adopted brother during a rampage in which he also decapitated his 5 year old sister. Samantha and Saraphina were adopted from Haiti in 2004.
Date: 2009-03-28
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Non-lethal physical abuse, Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Non-adopted sibling

Location

Milton, Massachusetts
United States
See map: Google Maps

Samauri Mayes

 

Samauri Mayes was beaten and taken to an emergency room Dec 31, 2008. She was removed from life support on Jan 2nd. She and her siblings were removed from her family due to drug problems. She had been in foster care with a family member Lavonda Maxwell for 14 months. Charges are pending.
Date: 2008-12-31
Placement type: Foster care
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Foster mother, Undetermined

Homestudy

Organizations: South Carolina DSS

Location

greenville, South Carolina
United States
See map: Google Maps

Samuel Hudson (David) and five other adopted children of William and Cynthia Hudson



Samuel Hudson, 13 years old,  was killed on December 2008. Cynthia Hudson, his adoptive mother, is charged with capital murder in his death. Officials said  Samuel was restrained and beaten to death with a broom handle, rake, computer cord, and baseball bat. William Hudson has been arrested on a tampering with evidence charge in the death of his adopted son.

Children reported being beaten with a fishing rod, a water hose, a metal bat, a paddle and their mother's fist. One child reported having to hold pepper in her mouth. They were confined to a prayer room at times.

The Hudsons are also being investigated for allegedly injuring their other five adopted children. Samuel's natural mother, Rebecca Henson and her husband, are seeking custody of the his two bio siblings, also in the Hudson's family
Date: 2008-12-09
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Non-lethal physical abuse, Lethal physical abuse, Non-lethal deprivation
Abuser: Adoptive father, Adoptive mother
Home schooling: yes

Placement

Organizations: Texas CPS

Location

Queen City, Texas
United States
See map: Google Maps

Sarah Angelina Chavez



2-year-old girl in foster care with her uncle and aunt Armando and Frances Abundi, was beaten to death.
Date: 2005-10-11
Placement type: Foster care
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Foster father, Foster mother

Location

Alhambra, California
United States
See map: Google Maps

Sean Paddock (Sean Ford)


Beaten to death, age 4, by his adoptive mother Lynn Paddock, who had sought Christian discipline advice in the books of Michael and Debi Pearl. There were 5 other adopted children and 1 bio child in the home who testified that Lynn beat them frequently with flexible plastic rods, wooden spoons and other devices. Lynn Marie Paddock was convicted of first degree murder.

Adoptive father Johnny Paddock was not charged criminally, but a civil jury found he "aided and abetted" in Sean's death. The Paddock's attended a "a smaller, fundamentalist church in Sanford that advocated wearing long dresses and shutting out popular culture."
Date: 2006-02-26
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive mother
Home schooling: yes
Fundamentalist faith: yes

Placement

Persons: Deborah Artis

Location

Johnston County, North Carolina
United States
See map: Google Maps

Serenity Julia Gandara

  Serenity Gandara

3-year-old girl in the process of being adopted by her uncle Alberto Garcia and his wife Carla Garcia (aka Carla Mariela Garcia Torres), was found dead while her 4-year-old brother, Isaiah, was sleeping in another room. The Garcia's fled to Mexico with their three biological children. Serenity's cause of death was blunt force trauma to her abdomen; her liver and bowel were lacerated and her pancreas was torn in half. She also had a skull fracture and she had been hit repeatedly on the head with an object. Isaiah had bruises and scars, and reported both children were beaten with a belt and a stick.
Both foster parents are charged with first degree murder.
Date: 2010-07-17
Placement type: To be adopted
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Foster father, Foster mother

Placement

Organizations: California Department of Social Services , Kern County CPS

Post placement

Persons: Paul Bryan

Location

Bakersfield, California
United States
See map: Google Maps

Shamir Hudson, born Shamir Goslee

Eight year old boy, adopted with his siblings Sharnea and Shamale, by Catherine Marie Hudson. Even before their adoption in 1996, when the three children were in Hudson's foster care abuse had been reported.

From April 18, 1996, through November 13, 1997, eleven different witnesses filed twenty-six child-abuse reports in writing to the Worcester County Department of Social Services (WCDSS) and to the state's attorney in Worcester County concerning the Hudson children. Reports were filed by schoolteachers, the school nurse, the school therapist, the vice principal, several teacher's aides, and a few summer program workers.

All reports were unsubstantiated except two, which "alleged that the previous foster parent and her son were responsible for injuries to the children" (even though the children had already been living with Hudson for two years)

In December 1996, WCDSS child protection staff met with the school staff "regarding the numerous reports of suspected abuse already filed with [the WCDSS] from the Buckingham Elementary School.

WCDSS officials told the school staff that they "were overreacting and that [the WCDSS] had seen worse."

The staff was intimidated by orders from the WCDSS not to send children to the nurse or counselor unless treatment was needed, "not to do extensive questioning or investigating," "not to question caseworkers as to when they are coming to the school," and "not to make follow-up calls to workers."

The WCDSS called the Board of Education, complaining that the school staff was harassing them. The school was "told that burns, cuts, bruises, and open wounds were not enough" to substantiate child abuse.

In January 1998, the WCDSS closed the case. On March 24, 1998, Shamir died "in the Hudson household, a sanctuary arranged, approved and supervised by the state, a place that produced no fewer than two dozen reports of suspected abuse in the past two years."
Date: 1998-03-24
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive mother

Placement

Organizations: Worcester County Department of Social Services

Location

Berlin, Maryland
United States
See map: Google Maps

Shaun Williams

Twelve year old boy murdered by his adoptive father, Luke Williams III, apparently for insurance money. Shaun's cause of death was strangulation, Linda Williams, his mother was beaten to death at the same time. Shaun (or Shawn) Williams was an native of El Salvador who was orphaned by the 1978 civil war. He was adopted 2 years prior to his death. The Williams lived in Georgia, but the trial was held in South Carolina where apparently the crime was commited. Luke Williams was executed Feb 2009.
Date: 1991-06-19
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive father

Location

Martinez, Georgia
United States
See map: Google Maps