Trial of foster mother charged in Isaac Lethbridge death could wrap up Wednesday

Trial of foster mother charged in Isaac Lethbridge death could wrap up Wednesday.

June 12, 2007

Jack Kresnak

The manslaughter and child abuse trial of a former Detroit foster mother could end by Wednesday, a Wayne County Circuit Court judge said this afternoon.

Judge Vera Massey Jones dismissed the jury hearing the case against Charlsie Adams-Rogers about 12:45 p.m., telling them to return at 9 a.m. Wednesday for what she expects to be the final stage of the case.

Adams-Rogers, 60, is charged with failing to protect two young foster children in her care last year. One of the children, 2-year-old Isaac Lethbridge, was burned and beaten to death by someone in Adams-Rogers' home on Aug. 16, 2006. His 4-year-old sister also was abused, according to Detroit police.

The children's foster care worker, Karl Troy, formerly of the Lula Belle Stewart Center in Detroit, testified today that he saw bruises on Isaac on Aug. 4, 2006, but did not notify Child Protective Services, as required by state law.

Troy, who testified under a grant of immunity from prosecution for failing to report suspected child abuse, said Adams-Rogers had told him that a doctor decided that the bruises were not child abuse. Troy said he accepted that explanation and did not contact the doctor.

Adams-Rogers is charged with involuntary manslaughter in Isaac's death and two child abuse counts involving both children. If convicted, she could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison on the manslaughter charge and up to four years in prison on the other charges.

Contact JACK KRESNAK at 313-223-4544 or jkresnak@freepress.com.