Protesters demand accountability in baby's death

Protesters demand accountability in baby's death

December 3, 2008

Crocker Stephenson

the Journal Sentinel

About a dozen people gathered outside a Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare office this morning to demand that authorities be held accountable for the death of Christopher L. Thomas.

Police say 13-month-old Christopher was beaten to death by his foster mother and his 2-year-old-sister was rescued from months of torture. The foster mother, Crystal P. Keith, was charged last week with beating the boy to death and with torturing his 2-year-old sister, who remains hospitalized.

Several of those outside the office, at 2745 S. 13th St., brought photographs of their children.

Robert Whitman arrived holding an urn that contained the ashes of his son, who died in foster care Oct. 2, two days after the child was removed from his home.

The son, Robert Whitman Jr., was 2 months old when he died. The death remains under investigation.