Family files claim against CPS for toddler's death

Crystal Carreon

The Sacramento Bee

Oct. 26--Tamekca Walker, 34, was arraigned Friday in Sacramento County Superior Court on charges of felony assault resulting in the death of a child and the murder of Tamaihia Lynae Moore.

Walker did not enter a plea.

Tamaihia, who was placed in Walker's south Sacramento home last month, died on Monday. The cause of her death has not been determined.

But outside of the courtroom, Debra Oliver, the child's grandmother, accused the county's Child Protective Services of being negligent in Tamaihia's care and culpable in her death.

The toddler's family filed a wrongful death claim Friday against Sacramento County as a precursor to a lawsuit.

"They didn't do their job," Oliver said, as others close to the family fought back tears. "CPS can't say they're not at fault."