We are very concerned aunts; we feel that is necessary for us to expose the corruption in the Foster Care system. Our older sister has had her five children taken away by the state back in July of 1998, the state of New York and ACS felt that she neglected her kids by leaving them while she went to the store. Consequently ACS filed a grievance and the children were removed from her care.
It has been a 6 years battle with the courts -- to no avail. It has been 6 years since the kids has been away from our family. Recently my twin sister and I saw my thirteen-year-old niece in Brooklyn on March of 2004 in a grocery store located in Brooklyn on Bedford Ave. At first we did not recognize the young girl. My sister and I decided to call the girl by our niece name to see if she will respond and she did. It was a joyful occasion until we notice that she was in the process of purchasing a six-pack of Heineken and one pack of cigarette and four root beer sodas. We watched as the clerk behind the counter actually sold the above products to a minor, first of all she is only 13 years and the law clearly stated that you have to be over 21 to purchase alcoholic beverages.
After getting over that initial shock we noticed the condition of her hair and clothing. We asked her where is your foster mother? She replied, "my foster mother is home and her brother (Jeffrey) told me to let the people in the store know that Uncle Jeffrey has sent me to purchase the beers, cigarettes and soda." Upon closer observation her appearance was quite disturbing to my sister and I. Her clothes were filthy and wrinkled, her face was ashy and her hair was extremely short. She did not look like the same girl with beautiful, thick, long hair; it was so obvious that she was not being taken care of properly.
We begin asking her questions about her living condition in the foster home. She then began to explain that her foster parent constantly beats her and the other kids. Yes, you heard right. Whips them. Is that love? You decide. True spanking should be a symbol of love, not this kind of unsuitable stuff. A socalled foster parent that doesn't know the difference has no business being in the business. Go figure. Getting paid to abuse? You decide. But get this. The most disturbing thing was when my neice told me that her foster care mother's husband is always making sexual advances and touches her in inappropriate places (her breast and buttocks). Officially the husband is not even there. It has not been recorded with ACS or Graham Windham Agency that he (Jerry Steele, husband) is residing at the home.
My niece began to cry and said how much she hates living there. At that point my sister remembered that she had her camcorder plus her cell phone that has video-audio capability. She began to record our conversation for proof of the obvious neglect and unsuitable environment that my niece is living in.
Once we left our niece, we then contacted Child Abuse Hotline, ACS and Graham Windham for them to investigate the living condition of my niece's residense. Our older sister is still battling in the courts, even after all these years (six), still fighting to get the kids back home in her care. As of March 23, 2004 we filed a petition in Bronx family court trying to obtained custody of the children. That day at court, we asked to speak with a judge in emergency regarding our concerns.
However, Judge Allen Alpert postponed the case for hearing date of June 10, 2004. My niece provided the name of the person that was sexually violating her and the address where she live and also the name of all the kids that live in the home. She also stated that a couple of months ago there was a young girl, age 14 that was removed from the home because she informed the foster mother that the lady's husband was having sexual intercourse with her.
The foster mother did not want to believe her and she had the foster care agency to remove the girl from the home. Apparently, the agency that placed the fourteen year old girl there did not bother to investigate the young girl's allegations. What is even more disturbing is the fact that my niece stated her foster mother then told her and the other kids if a social worker comes to ask questions, not to tell anyone about what took place.
Wake up, everyone. We have too many kids that being abused physically, emotionally and mentally, and even sexually, in the care of these socalled agencies. On April 4,2004 my niece Natasia came to us, crying stating she feared for her life. As concerned relatives (aunts) we notified the authorities. We took her to the police station for the allegations and the complaint against the foster parent. Therreupon, a report was made by the 44th Precinct in the Bronx on April 4, 2004, referral to child protective services.
We also took her to Bronx Lebanon Hospital, where she was admitted that day at that hospital. The New York State Domestic Incident report was transfered to the 79th precinct domestic violence police at 263 Tompkins Blvd, regarding the allegations of what took place in Brooklyn at the foster parent home. My niece also stated she never meet her legal guidance lawyer. We contacted her legal lawyer that was appointed by the court to her in July 1998. We told him (Cesar Molina) he needed to meet with her regarding her concerns; the meeting was set for April 6, 2004, at the foster care agency.
On April 7, 2004 we met with the responsible parties at Graham Windham to discuss the concerns that we have regarding the safety of the five children's and also visitation. The information we received is that our two nephews are placed with the sister of previous foster mother (Joyce Roberson). The sister's name is Jennifer Roberson. Our other niece Shaqaya, 10 year old, took it harder than everyone, and is currently placed in a mental institution in the care of Brunswick hospital, Amityville, NY for the past two months (previously she resided with Joyce Roberson). She is due to be released to Jennifer Roberson per Graham Windham.
We are very concerned regarding the placement of the children with the abusive family member's sister. What's more, supposedly there is an on going investigation of the responsible listed agency. However they have failed even to speak to the children, even to interview the children, regarding the abuse and neglect. They claim they haven't spoken to them "due to the distance of the placement of the siblings along with the sibling's children right visitation." Every time we go and visit the children's in three separate facilities, they always ask about the well being of their siblings. We have asked for some help, and have passed on the children's request.
In response the agency Graham Windham refused to do anything. The agency (Graham Windham) has continued to separate siblings and bounce them from home to home despite evidence of the harm it causes. This is a state violation of the children's constitutional rights. The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution says no state can deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of the law.
To our understanding the agency job title is to investigate and protect the "innocent children." We would like to go forward by editing the video and letting the public know what is going on and make them aware that the foster care system is incompetent and obviously does not care about the well-being of the children they claim to protect.
In the public eyes the ACS, foster care agency is supposed to be the good guys to protect the children. BUT it seems to us like they are only there to "protect themselves" from any harm against the company's interests and income and budget and bottom line. It seems to us like they are making sure they get their profits, and all they care about is the money. But the children's hearts are being broken, and the parents and aunts who really love their children, we are crying inside every day.
According to ACS mission statement: "ACS mission is to ensure the safety and well-being of all children of New York," However, this is not being done. Obviously the public needs to be aware and get involved.
Remember what Martin Luther King, Jr. tells us:
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Contacted Parties below as follow:
Graham Windham Home for Children (foster care agency) 540 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn, NY
Cesar Molina legal Children's Lawyer (Children legal guidance) Juvenile Services Unit 900 Sheridan Avenue Rm 6C12 Bronx, NY 10451
OCI was given a copy of the videotape along with the police report
79th Precinct Officer is Mr. Campbell
The Sex Abuse Hotline Officer is Mrs. Hayes
Children's Names - and ages as of spring 2004:
Natasia Johnson - 13 years
Shaquaya Clibbons - 10 years
Shyanne Shepherd - 4 years
Foster Mother Name & Her Husband Name Joyce Roberson - 34 years old & Jerry Steele - 46 years old
A half a million children in foster care