SBS: California: foster parent Jovanee Reynolds accused of murder

3/19

A Fresno foster mother is facing murder charges Friday night nearly six months after the death of an infant in her care. The 23 year old foster parent, Jovannee Reynolds, is accused of the murder of her seven-week-old baby girl. Investigators believe the child died from shaken baby syndrome last September.

http://www.cbs47.tv/news/local/story/Foster-Mother-Faces-Murder-Charges/UFPlr7yaq0u-4Orwk39kyg.cspx

SBS: California: foster mother Jovanee Reynolds charged with murder

Mar 19, 2011

By Norma Yuriar

Fresno County, Calif.  (KMPH News) – Six months after valley doctors pronounce a Fresno baby dead; Fresno Police arrest the little girl's foster mother on charges of murder and willful injury to a child.  Jovannee Reynolds is in the Fresno County Jail.  Bail is set at $25,000.

Mikayla Tabin was only 26–days–old when she died on September 20, 2010.

Catherine Huerta, Director of the Fresno County Department of Social Services says the arrest does not come as a shock, her department has been working with police.

"We have known for a series of months...ever since the child was taken to the hospital, that things were very suspicious then this poor child passed," Huerta said.  "So, we've known, we've been cooperating with police.

Investigators say it was little Mikayla's own foster parents that drove her to Children's Hospital Central California on September 14, 2010.  The medical staff believed her injuries were "suspicious" and contacted the Fresno Police Department's Child Abuse Unit.  Mikayla died six days later.

"The Coroner's Office conducted an extensive investigation into this death as well.  Homicide Detectives determined that the victim died from Shaken Baby Syndrome," Lt. Mark Salazar said in a news release.

"We have kept very comprehensive records since 2003 and this is the first time since 2003 that we have had a child fatality... allegedly by a foster parent," Huerta said.

Child Protective Services removed Mikayla from her biological mother's care in August of 2010 and placed her with Reynolds.

Huerta says Fresno County pays foster parents $345 a month to care for a newborn.

"Had we had any indication, she would harm this child we would have taken action," Huerta said.

Huerta says Reynolds and her husband both passed an extensive background check, a home inspection and took part in a mandatory 9–week class before being accepted into the foster care program.

"Unfortunately, and maybe this is the case, you can pass all of that, have no record, have a home that meets all the physical standards and there are parts that we have no control over," Huerta said.

The foster father was not arrested.  Fresno police says he is not considered a suspect in the investigation.

SBS: New York State: Adoption

By Ed Reilly:

December 20, 2010
When Shantelle Songster from Buffalo was approached about being a temporary foster parent for a young disabled boy named Isaiah Henley, she opened up her heart and her home. What she didn't know was that her life would never be the same. "Once I met him, he gave me that Isaiah smile - my heart melted and I had to adopt him," says 25-year old Shantelle.
Monday in Erie County Family Court, Judge Patricia Maxwell signed the papers that made Shantelle officially Isaiah's new mom. "This is the ultimate Christmas gift. I can't ask for anything more. I have my little guy and I'm in love," replied a tearful Shantelle.

Three year old Isaiah nearly died as an infant from injuries he suffered while being severely shaken by his biological parents. For the rest of his life, he will suffer from severe developmental delays due to shaken baby syndrome.

Gateway-Longview, Inc. placed the young boy in another foster home before Shantelle's. He was well cared for but his needs were more than the family could accommodate.
In June 2009, Gateway-Longview was searching for a temporary pre-adoptive home to care for Isaiah. They asked Shantelle, who is a teachers assistant for children with special needs, to care for him until a permanent home could be found.
Shantelle soon found that she loved little Isaiah so much that she filed papers to adopt him.
"This is very common," says Director of Foster Care and Permanency Services for Gateway-Longview Michelle Federowicz, "Temporary foster families fall in love with the children they care for and then decide to adopt them."
While it makes for happy endings, it depletes the number of temporary foster homes available. "We are always looking for people to serve as temporary foster parents." comments Federowicz.
Anyone interested in being a temporary foster parent can contact Gateway-Longview at 783-9187.
http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/Disabled-Child-Adopted-for-the-Holidays-112213519.html

SBS: California: Tanubagijo

 December 8, 2010

FAIRFIELD, Calif. -- The foster parent accused of shaking a baby to death appeared in a Solano County courtroom Wednesday, while the child’s family members were asking some tough questions of child welfare officials.

53-year-old Reginald Tanubagijo pleaded not guilty to shaking Christian Bito O'Campo to death last week.

Prosecutors said Tanubagijo shook the child on November 29th. The child never regained consciousness and was taken off life support Sunday afternoon.

Tanubagijo's attorney Jaye Ryan-Maas said this was all just a tragedy and that her client will be exonerated.

“This is a terrible tragedy and my client is innocent,” said Ryan-Maas. “Follow along. You'll see it in the court proceedings.”

The boy's relatives said Solano County child welfare services took Christian shortly after he was born when methamphetamines were found in his system.

His mother Christina Bito said she was trying to work out her problems and trusted the county to look after Christian.

“I'm more hurt than angry, because i thought I could depend on the county to help me,” said Bito. “And they just let me down.”

Now the boy's family is asking tough questions of the county’s child welfare system.

Christian's uncle and Aunt Dee Dee Bito were willing to take the baby in and were in the process of getting approved by the county to take custody. But they said the social worker in charge of their case went on vacation and the file was put on the back burner until it was too late.

“We wanted Christian out of foster care and with family,” said Dee Dee Bito.

The county said Christian’s death was a tragedy and that all foster parents undergo a rigorous background check.

“There are statewide requirements on how to do that, and we meet or exceed all those standards to make sure the kids are into a loving family home,” said Solano County Spokesperson Stephen Pierce.

Three-month-old Christian will be buried on Saturday. The man accused of shaking him to death will be back in court next week.

http://www.ktvu.com/news/26072602/detail.html