Woman admits assaulting her foster daughter
SEAN ROBINSON; The News Tribune
Published: September 25th, 2007 01:00 AM
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/163815.html
A South Sound woman accused of plunging hypodermic needles into her
foster daughter’s eyes pleaded guilty Monday to one count of
first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree assault.
Chornice Lewis, 34, entered the plea one day before her trial was
scheduled to start in King County Superior Court.
Lewis, also known as Chornice Kabbelliyaa and Keshia Harris, had taken
care of the 16-year-old girl since 1996, when the child was 5.
A News Tribune investigation of the Lewis case, published June 24, found
that leaders of the state Department of Social and Health Services
acknowledged their failure to protect the girl, and admitted that
foster-care workers failed to follow through on a decade of complaints
about Lewis.
The story, titled “Torture,” noted that teachers, police and neighbors
relayed at least 16 complaints to the state about Lewis. They went
unheeded until January 2006, when the girl was removed from Lewis’
custody. The full extent of her injuries, including functional blindness
in one eye, became apparent after doctors examined her. Apart from the
needles, she was beaten with crutches, dumbbells and cans of food, and
burned by a heated fork and a stove burner.
State records show that Lewis received more than $101,000 in foster-care
payments for the girl.
While demanding the monthly payments, she moved the child from school to
school six times in five years and repeatedly changed addresses without
notifying the state, in violation of foster-licensing requirements.
Lewis never lost her license as a result.
State workers dismissed complaints of abuse, persuaded by Lewis that the
child was a liar and a troublemaker. Records show Lewis coached the girl
and told her what to say to state workers in interviews. Lewis’
biological children denied the girl was being abused whenever they were
asked, even after their mother’s arrest.
A case review conducted by DSHS blamed a “system breakdown” for the
failure to protect the girl, noting the social workers, licensing
workers and local courts failed in their duties. No one was disciplined
as a result of the case, according to DSHS officials.
Lewis is scheduled for sentencing Nov. 16. She faces 10 to 14 years in
prison.
“We’re going to recommend the top end of the range,” said Dan Donohoe,
spokesman for the King County prosecutor’s office.
Sean Robinson: 253-597-8486
sean.robinson@thenewstribune.com
CURRENTLY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES VIOLATES MORE CIVIL RIGHTS ON A
DAILY BASIS THEN ALL OTHER AGENCIES COMBINED INCLUDING THE NSA / CIA
WIRETAPPING PROGRAM....
CPS Does not protect children...
It is sickening how many children are subject to abuse, neglect and even
killed at the hands of Child Protective Services.
every parent should read this .pdf from
connecticut dcf watch...
http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com/8x11.pdf
http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com
Number of Cases per 100,000 children in the US
These numbers come from The National Center on
Child Abuse and Neglect in Washington. (NCCAN)
Recent numbers have increased significantly for CPS
*Perpetrators of Maltreatment*
Physical Abuse CPS 160, Parents 59
Sexual Abuse CPS 112, Parents 13
Neglect CPS 410, Parents 241
Medical Neglect CPS 14 Parents 12
Fatalities CPS 6.4, Parents 1.5
Imagine that, 6.4 children die at the hands of the very agencies that
are supposed to protect them and only 1.5 at the hands of parents per
100,000 children. CPS perpetrates more abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse
and kills more children then parents in the United States. If the
citizens of this country hold CPS to the same standards that they hold
parents too. No judge should ever put another child in the hands of ANY
government agency because CPS nationwide is guilty of more harm and
death than any human being combined. CPS nationwide is guilty of more
human rights violations and deaths of children then the homes from which
they were removed. When are the judges going to wake up and see that
they are sending children to their death and a life of abuse when
children are removed from safe homes based on the mere opinion of a
bunch of social workers.
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, HAPPILY DESTROYING THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT
FAMILIES YEARLY NATIONWIDE AND COMING TO YOU'RE HOME SOON...
BE SURE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR CANDIDATES STANDS ON THE ISSUE OF
REFORMING OR ABOLISHING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES ("MAKE YOUR CANDIDATES
TAKE A STAND ON THIS ISSUE.") THEN REMEMBER TO VOTE ACCORDINGLY IF THEY
ARE "FAMILY UNFRIENDLY" IN THE NEXT ELECTION...
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