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Former foster children file suit

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Former foster children file suit

Tacoma: They accuse the state of neglect, ignoring reports that they were starved, beaten, sexually abused

ADAM LYNN; Staff writer • Published August 24, 2011

Four former foster children who allegedly suffered horrible abuse at the hands of their state-appointed guardians filed suit Tuesday against the state of Washington.

The plaintiffs, all now adults living in Tacoma, allege social workers were negligent in issuing a foster-care license to Jose and Juanita Miranda and then not heeding multiple reports that they were mistreating children under their care.

The lawsuit also names 21 current or former state employees as defendants.

“This is a case in which children were sexually, physically and psychologically terrorized for the pleasure and profit of their foster-care parents,” said plaintiffs’ attorney, Jeremy Johnston of the firm Messina Bulzomi Christensen.

“It was not a home. It was a house of horrors.”

Thomas Shapley, a spokesman for the state Department of Social and Health Services, said the agency would have no comment on the lawsuit. It is common practice for DSHS officials to remain silent in the face of pending litigation.

Jose and Juanita Miranda are dead.

Alexander Gonzalez, Michelle Harris, Elizabeth Tapia and Aurora Tapia – all either 19 or 20 years old – seek undisclosed damages. They say, among other things, that they were:

• Forced to have sex with Jose Miranda or with each other while he watched.

• Made to eat expired food and then their vomit if they threw up.

• Beaten with a broomstick, cane, frying pan, electric cord and stick with small nails in it.

Jose Miranda allegedly kept a locked room in the house where he had sex with his foster children, the lawsuit states.

“Jose routinely drugged the children with sleeping pills and forced them to engage in multiple sex acts with him and other children in the home,” according to a statement issued by Messina Bulzomi Christensen.

The lawsuit documents more than 20 complaints filed against the couple during their six years (1997-2003) as licensed foster-care parents, including allegations of sexual abuse and withholding food from the children.

The complaints came from teachers, neighbors, social workers, relatives, coaches and the children themselves.

In 2001, a DSHS employee noted in a report that “there have been repeated CPS (Child Protective Services) referrals on this foster home ,which places a level of risk which requires added agency supervision,” according to the lawsuit.

“There were multiple opportunities for the state to save these children from this nightmare, but they failed to act,” Johnston said.

The lawsuit contends the state never should have issued a foster-care license to the Mirandas, as Juanita Miranda had a felony record in California and lost custody of two of her children there.

Jose Miranda ultimately was convicted of sexually abusing the children. He died of congestive heart failure two years ago in prison at the age of 55.

Juanita Miranda died at 49 nearly five years ago of a drug overdose.

Adam Lynn: 253-597-8644

2011 Aug 24