Chandler Grafner-starved to death

[Annie143]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jan/15/tearful-aide-details-suffering-of-boy-7/

I dont know what happened to the thread on Chandler, I guess it didnt have enough views or something.

The above is the latest and it made me cry when I read it. Poor little guy.

I tried to copy part of it but it wouldnt let me. Also,

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jan/15/tearful-aide-details-suffering-of-boy-7/

[Annie143]

Educator says she notified agency about injured boy
By Sue Lindsay, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Chandler, 7, was recalled as artistic, good reader.

Theassistant principal at Holm Elementary School said she notified social services the day Chandler Grafner came to school with a badly bruised ear and told them his dad had beaten him in the shower.

Maureen Hogan said she notified social services just after talking to 7-year- old Chandler last Jan. 17.

Hogan testified Tuesday at a motions hearing in Denver County Court in the murder case against Jon Phillips and Sarah Berry, accused of starving Chandler to death. The boy died May 8, about two months after Phillips and Berry stopped sending him to school.

"He said, 'My daddy put me in the shower and slapped me in the ear over and over. He was mad at me because my little brother made me steal candy,' " Hogan recalled.

But she said Chandler told her he wasn't afraid to go home "because he was going to be good and he was going to get a watch."

Chandler said his parents had helped him by giving him some ice for his ear, she said.

Hogan said she called Denver social services, which referred her to Jefferson County social services because of confusion over who had custody of the boy.

Social services officials concluded that the abuse report was unfounded. (snipped)[/*]

[Annie143]

Tearful aide details suffering of boy, 7
By Sue Lindsay, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Chandler Grafner weighed only 34 pounds when he died.
Two months before he died, 7-year-old Chandler Grafner asked a kindergarten teacher's aide to stop questioning him about his injuries because he got in trouble with his mom and dad every time she did.

Chandler died of starvation after being removed from school and allegedly kept in a closet for punishment. Jon Phillips, 26, and Sarah Berry, 21, are charged with first-degree murder in his death. Chandler weighed only 34 pounds when he died.

Amy Domanski, a teacher's aide at Holm Elementary School in Denver, tearfully described her last conversation with Chandler during a motions hearing Monday in Denver District Court.

"He came up to me and took my hand and said, 'Please don't interrogate me anymore. I get in so much trouble.' He was pleading with me. I said 'interrogate' is a big word for such a little guy. He said, 'That's the word my mom and dad use.' (snipped)

This makes me cry.

[HopeDiamond]

This is sooooo sad. The teacher's story is just heartbreaking. It made me visualize it so vividly.

I'd tried to report a certain family case in WV and I'll tell you that Kanawha County WV CPS is a complete joke. Never once did I get a call back from them even when leaving DETAILED messages for the responsible case workers and a very long letter detailing crimes done to a female relative.

Let's just say that I now know that the buck stops here should anyone ever do anything to my child.

CPS seems to be a joke nationwide.

[Annie143]

Hope Diamond, this is a very sad story. He was a special child. How could any person with a human heart have hurt that baby. Chandler was a sunshine child, just trying to live.

Isnt the Logan Goodall case in WV ? That is another truly, truly
heartwrenching case.

Recently, I was really struggling with why these things happen to innocent children and someone involved with the Goodall case sent me a really uplifting email as to what they are trying to do in Logan's name. He will not have lived in vain.

[Annie143]

This is going on everywhere, not just Colorado and everyone must get involved.

Colorado officials refuse to take child abuse and neglect seriously
This Web only Speakout has not been edited.
Emily Tracy
Saturday, January 26, 2008

In Colorado, 2007 was the year of the child – severe child abuse resulting in too many fatalities, and too many child abuse cases with long-lasting injuries. And in many of those cases, the children and families were known to public child protection agencies.

Why are we tolerating this? Why are we turning a blind eye to the suffering and deaths of children in our state – those least able to protect themselves and to speak up?

A legislative committee recently held a hearing exploring solutions to the problem. However, news coverage of the hearing was limited and did nothing to fully illustrate the scope of Colorado’s tragedy.

Perhaps the list below will help: Weld County had at least two child fatalities in 2007 in which the children and families were known to the child welfare system. On March 9th, seven-year-old LoReyna Barea died of starvation and physical abuse (snipped)

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jan/26/colorado-officials-refuse-take-child-abuse-and-neg/

[CANDYKISSES]

Annie, this is such a tragic story and I remember the promise you made to yourself on this one.

I was thinking that maybe the reason the previous thread was deleted could have been due to copyright issues rather than views. JMO tho.

I know CW has told us she has to remove entire threads sometimes because of this.

Here is a link to copyright laws on CTV boards...

http://boards.insessiontrials.com/showthread.php?threadid=146062

:rose: JUSTICE FOR CHANDLER! :rose:

[CANDYKISSES]

Originally posted by HopeDiamond
This is sooooo sad. The teacher's story is just heartbreaking. It made me visualize it so vividly.

I'd tried to report a certain family case in WV and I'll tell you that Kanawha County WV CPS is a complete joke. Never once did I get a call back from them even when leaving DETAILED messages for the responsible case workers and a very long letter detailing crimes done to a female relative.

Let's just say that I now know that the buck stops here should anyone ever do anything to my child.

CPS seems to be a joke nationwide. [/*]

Hope, I became a whistle-blower on child abuse at the age of 12 on a military base with my dad begging me not to, and now he always hugs me and reminds me of the day he knew I would never take it laying down. ;) He feared the backlash from turning in a peer recruit.

I am a firm believer in continuing to follow-up. You just have to or it gets lost and I know they will treat you like a PITA, but just remember; it's the life of a child IMO.

They are understaffed and have been making careless mistakes in all states. WE as a PUBLIC have to stand up and speak out for those voices that aren't being heard and stay on the job. :(

NEVER GIVE UP OR IN when THE CAUSE INVOLVES A CHILD! :patriot:

[Cookies]

Originally posted by CANDYKISSES


Hope, I became a whistle-blower on child abuse at the age of 12 on a military base with my dad begging me not to, and now he always hugs me and reminds me of the day he knew I would never take it laying down. He feared the backlash from turning in a peer recruit.

I am a firm believer in continuing to follow-up. You just have to or it gets lost and I know they will treat you like a PITA, but just remember; it's the life of a child IMO.

They are understaffed and have been making careless mistakes in all states. WE as a PUBLIC have to stand up and speak out for those voices that aren't being heard and stay on the job. :(

NEVER GIVE UP OR IN when THE CAUSE INVOLVES A CHILD! :patriot: [/*]

:beer:

[Annie143]

Oh, Candykisses, I hope I didnt get CW or CourtTV in trouble. I thought it may be because it hadnt been posted to for 30 days either.

At the onset, I did contact someone at Rocky Mountain News and the Denver Post and explain what I was doing, snipping and linking, because of my profound interest in little Chandler and they didn't seem to be too concerned but, I do not have written permission.

Thx for your interest. ALL children are special but, the abused and neglected are the most precious of all.

[CANDYKISSES]

Originally posted by Annie143
Oh, Candykisses, I hope I didnt get CW or CourtTV in trouble. I thought it may be because it hadnt been posted to for 30 days either.

At the onset, I did contact someone at Rocky Mountain News and the Denver Post and explain what I was doing, snipping and linking, because of my profound interest in little Chandler and they didn't seem to be too concerned but, I do not have written permission.

Thx for your interest. ALL children are special but, the abused and neglected are the most precious of all. [/*]

You bet Annie, and I pulled the menu down for up to 100 days and it wasn't there either.

I am just guessing about copyright, but I did see some threads lost as a result because I think that is carefully scanned every day.

JMO.

[Annie143]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jan/30/cop-wanted-grafner-removed-home/

there were so many times these children, especially Chandler, should have been removed and he just wasn't......... every time I read this kind of thing, I feel more sadness for this little guy.

Letter to the Editor

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jan/30/police-should-have-been-called-behalf-grafner/

[Annie143]

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_8095748

Mayor reassures child welfare workers..........

[lorjac]

So, this teacher does HER job and reports this and he pays the price even further and yet Child Services states abuse was unfounded????

Absolutely ridiculous..... I wish she could have kept him w/her and had Child Services take him and keep him until the POSs he was living w/could be investigated.

That poor woman has to live w/the last words he said to her..... I hope it doesn't stop her from calling again or taking action again if needed.

[Annie143]

If anyone has an interest in this case from the start, the old thread was deleted, they can google Chandler Grafner and there is lots of info on the Denver Post but, especially the Rocky Mountain News. Very interesting is some of the comments from people that knew the family..........

He was a sweet little boy.

In any picture I have seen of the murderers, they have had their heads in the air, as though they had done nothing wrong. :mad:
Any person with a conscience (?) would have died of shame....JMOO

[Annie143]

RachelRose, thank your for you comments.

The last time I spoke with a reporter at the Denver Post, he said March 31.

this is a snip from an email I received from someone that has been somewhat involved with some issues surrounding Chandler :

Thank you for your interest and concern. The Denver Community shares your feelings and we have done all we can for Chandler now. We believe he is in God’s arms and is receiving the love he so richly deserves

everytime I read about his kindergarten teacher saying how Chandler tried so hard to participate in kindergarten. When he came to school the day in 16 degree weather without a coat and one shoe on, because he didn't want to miss "teddy bear day"... it just breaks my heart for this little guy.

[Lizbeth2]

:( Me too. I followed it for a while and then couldn't find anything so thanks for the link.

He was like a little man telling that aid about it. :( Sick pos's.

[Annie143]

{snipped}

Brother of starved boy haunted by death
By Sue Lindsay, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Originally published 07:00 p.m., February 19, 2008
Updated 07:00 p.m., February 19, 2008


Chandler Grafner weighed only 34 pounds when he died.
Chandler Grafner's 5-year-old brother told a therapist that Chandler had to stay in a closet where he had to "pee and poop" and that he wondered if his brother died because he was hungry. {snipped}

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/feb/19/brother-starved-boy-haunted-death/

[Annie143]

I hope they get the maximum, for all people who abuse and murder little children.

Murder is defined by degree and categorized under different classifications. Murder falls under the jurisdiction of state laws, and laws vary from state to state.

Colorado statutes set stiff penalties for first degree murder, with the minimum sentence of life in prison without parole and the maximum sentence of the death penalty.

Some classifications for murder in Colorado:

First degree murder – is deliberate and pre-meditated killing of another person. There must be a deliberation to kill. Deliberation is explained in Colorado statutes as intentional and "after the exercise of reflection and judgment concerning the act."

Acts categorized as first degree murder include the following:

Felony murder – is killing that occurs during the commission of certain felonies. If while committing a violent crime or fleeing from the crime scene, even though unintended, an innocent person is killed, this is felony murder. In felony murder, deliberation or intent to take a life need not be an element of the crime. An accomplice in the crime is held to be just as guilty of felony murder as the person who actually kills the person. Felony murder is classified as murder in the first degree and is an exception to the “deliberation” definition of murder.

Committing perjury that results in the conviction and execution of an innocent person.

Manifesting extreme indifference to human life in general and knowingly putting another person in grave risk of death, which results in his/her death.

Selling controlled substances to children under eighteen on school grounds, resulting in the child’s death.

Knowingly causing death to a child under 12 years old when holding a position of trust and respect to the child.

Murdering a police officer or fireman.

Murder in the first degree is a class one felony. The penalty for a class one felony is life in prison without parole or the death penalty.

[Annie143]

SNIPPED
Supervisor passed on three child abuse claims that ended in death
The Associated Press
Article Last Updated: 02/21/2008 11:03:32 PM MST
http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_8330543

DENVER—The same supervisor at Denver's Department of Human Services signed off on closing the child abuse investigations three children died in the weeks and months that followed.
Supervisor Mary Peagler oversaw the cases of Chandler Grafner, 7, Neveah Gallegos, 3, and Luz Valdez, 3, KMGH-TV reported Thursday citing Human Services department records.

Grafner died in May and his caregivers have been charged with murder. Valdez died in December and her mother's boyfriend was charged with murder.

Gallegos, 3, died in September. The coroner's report said Gallegos had been struck in the abdomen and strangled.

Peagler was placed on a monthlong paid leave after KMGH-TV reported human services did not interview a man who had allegedly dropped Valdez before closing the case. Peagler returned to work earlier this month SNIPPED

[Annie143]

Amaryllis, there are so many things about this little boys life that would break your heart.

Chandler loved and protected his little brother fiercely. His brother will be forever scarred by watching his brother die on his last day. People spoke at Chandler's funeral of his spunk, his laughter, the light he brought into their lives.......he was just a little boy.

He was failed at every turn. There were so many chances to save him and no one did.....

How could anyone not feel pain and sadness for this little fellow and despise his murderers. The day he was dying, they cleaned up the closet where he laid for weeks and sat down on the couch and watched tv, waiting for the paramedics to come. His little brother saw all of that.

I burn with anger at those two, at all child abusers and killers.

[Smokey Stover]

We had a rash of child abuse cases and a few starving deaths in New Jersey, perhaps a year or two ago. A new head of the Child Services Division (or whatever they call it) was appointed, who has taken his mission very seriously. (Things still keep happening, of course, since criminals, cranks and cuckoos are not only allowed, but even encouraged to have children and raise them pretty nearly any way they like.)

But the handicaps on protecting children are many and massive. Children don't vote, and parents apparently are interested in protecting their own children, but not necessarily any others. So the budget is slim and always in danger of disappearing. Child welfare departments are frequently headed by political worthies, people appointed to reward their political services. Among the qualifications for the actual job of investigation, emphasis is placed on college majors in social welfare and similar courses. Have you ever known any social welfare majors? It is notorious for being one of the Big Three (or four or five) easiest majors on campus. (Guess which are the others!) Someone who is really good at the job probably could not be hired.

As a member of the public commented in the Rocky Mountain News, we honor the children in song and story, and in orotund speeches in every possible venue. But we don't honor them enough to pay the cost of a good child protection program. The same goes for schools, to some extent. I live in a community that is generally prosperous, and has an exceptionally large school budget. Yay! But all the same, there are numerous people here in the Land of Limousine Liberals that sincerely believe that the parents of each individual child should pay the cost of his or her schooling. To make everyone pay a share of the cost, even those without children in school, is not only unfair, but creeping Socialism. These people probably are among those who praise the Founding Fathers for their wisdom. They should be reminded that the Founding Fathers favored free public education, and Jerfferson and Franklin were very outspoken about it.

If we are so concerned with the welfare of children, why do tax agencies have to give schoolteachers a tax deduction for all the materials that individual teachers have to supply at their own expense just to keep the teaching going?

Yes, we're all very concerned about sex offenders perhaps getting a shot at our kids, and some are concerned lest the school library might contain Mark Twain's adventures of Huckleberry Finn, or modern women authors who write realistically for boys and girls.

I've got one more rant to go. Protecting our children's health is not really expensive, but it's not free. The Congress recently tried to get a bigger budget for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), with federal grants managed by the individual states to give needy children health insurance. Naturally President Bush killed the raise. As to what else is so important that the allegedly richest nation in the world couldn't afford health insurance for children, your guess is as good as mine.

[Annie143]

Smokey, that was one of the best posts I have read in a long time.

I do not have many of the answers that are needed to stem the current tide of child abuse. It just seems we dont place much value on our children and we all must be accountable.

[TobyWong]

Another boy I cannot forget:rose:

[Annie143]

There is so much to this story.

His mother got off into drugs, early on, and I think the family, from what I hear from people who know them, are not of the highest class. I dont know how else to say it without being down right offensive.......

She, the mother, apparantly was pretty loose. Grafner is not even the name of the real father. He, the real father, petitioned the courts to name him the real father after DNA testing and he is now sueing CPS for not protecting his "son". I am trying not to make a judgment call of this but, I hope it is not all about money or it will be beyond believing. The mother has sued, as well.

According to one of the contacts in Denver, Chandler's life and death has raised awareness of child abuse and the failings of CPS to a new level. Hopefully, he will not have lived in vain.

He still doesn't have a grave marker.

Chandler :rose:

[Annie143]

http://www.denverpost.com/frontpage/ci_8372806

SNIPPED


Child-welfare cases drown Denver
The Denver Department of Human Services will spend $2 million to hire more workers
By Christopher N. Osher
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 02/27/2008 09:46:29 AM MST


Denver's child-welfare workers are so overloaded with work that the city will spend nearly $2 million from reserves to hire 40 more people to handle bulging caseloads, a top official said Tuesday.

Three recent high-profile deaths of children who had been referred to the Denver Department of Human Services prompted a new look at staffing levels, said Roxane White, the director of the agency.

In a briefing for City Council members, White said the review showed that the workload has risen drastically while staffing levels have increased minimally.

White said the agency plans to tap about $1.9 million of its emergency reserves to increase staffing by about 20 percent. That dollar amount is about one-tenth of the agency's overall emergency reserves.

"We know we need this," she said in a later interview. "We're hoping we'll eventually get some relief and the state will be adequately funding child welfare. But we can't wait."........MORE
SNIPPED

[Annie143]

http://judicialtransparencynow.blogspot.com/2008/03/kids-dying-in-state-care-judges-not.html

Sunday, March 9, 2008
Kids Dying in State Care - Judges not named.

All these reports - but not One judge identified. Why?

***
Report finds holes in city's child-protection safety net

Judging kids' risk is an 'ongoing problem,' it says

By Ann Imse, Rocky Mountain News
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Chandler Grafner, 7, died from starvation.

An outside review has criticized Denver's child protection agency for a long list of management problems, including failure to check for abuse by non-family members such as boyfriends.

The outside review was requested by the Denver Department of Human Services after a 7-year-old boy was starved to death and a young girl was subjected to sexual abuse and then died. In both cases, social workers had been warned of the danger to the children.

A separate review of a dozen such cases statewide is expected by early April.

"It is clear that risk and safety assessment continues to be an ongoing problem, both within Denver County and in the state," the Denver review warned.

The review found that Denver social workers often do not interview unrelated adults in abuse cases, even though they often turn out to be the source of the threat to the child.
SNIPPED

And the head of the agency, Roxanne White, will be leaving the agency April 15th.

[Annie143]

Nothing new at the moment. I am trying to get caught up here at work so that if there is trial coverage, even through the papers, I will have time to follow it. That will be the end of March unless there is another postponement.

Chandler :rose: sweet little boy.

[Annie143]

I have posted some on this earlier but, each time I find something, it just breaks my heart anew. That dear, dear child.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/mar/04/therapist-brother-spoke-of-boys-horror/

Therapist: Brother spoke of boy's horror
By Sue Lindsay, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Tuesday, March 4, 2008
More Local News'Not a day goes by that I do not think of him'

Chandler Grafner's younger brother said that Chandler was kept in a dark closet where he was denied food and screamed to be allowed out to go to the bathroom, the boy's therapist testified Monday.

The younger boy drew a picture of Chandler in the closet with wavy lines emanating from his mouth, therapist Tammie Ellis said. The lines represented Chandler's screams for help, she said.

Ellis testified in a motions hearing in the case against Jon Phillips, 26, and Sarah Berry 21, who are charged with first-degree murder in 7-year-old Chandler's death.

The boy died of starvation May 6, about two months after being removed from school and kept in a closet for punishment.

The younger boy said that sometimes his parents responded to Chandler's cries but "sometimes they wouldn't."

"Sometimes they would say they would come, but they would forget," Ellis said. "He said his brother often asked for food and didn't get it and that his brother was hungry."

[Annie143]

I think I may have to quit posting about this child. If I am especially tired and I read something like the above piece, I cannot bear the pain. For little Chandler and his brother, who will carry this burden the rest of his life.:rose:

I pray for him, Dominick, every night that he might find some peace in his little life.

[Annie143]

THis is an old post from November 6, the DENVER POST, but I wasn't sure if I had posted it on the old thread. I do not know if this has changed.

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_7380346

A judge entered not-guilty pleas Monday for a couple accused of starving a 7-year-old boy to death.

Jon Phillips and Sarah Berry are charged with first-degree murder in the May death of Chandler Grafner, who was in their care.

Phillips and Berry are scheduled to go to trial the week of March 31, and defense attorneys said in court that the trial is expected to last three weeks. After entering the not-guilty pleas, Denver District Judge John Madden said he would request a jury pool of 120 people to make sure attorneys could find an impartial jury.

Prosecutors said the defense should receive DNA and fiber evidence in a few days, and Berry's defense attorney said they subpoenaed and received records from Chandler's school.

If these folks get less than the death penalty, I will be very angry.
I want them to contemplate their eventual death for a while.

[Annie143]

I like you maryhaze.:)

[Annie143]

The trials have been postponed to give the defense more time......
balls !! time to concoct some excuse for their crime. ! Chandler did not deserve his punishment. How can they possibly counter little Dominic's testimony about his brothers treatment.......?

But, unfortunately, another child/girl in Colorado was dead from acute dehydration and had 67 bruises over her body and the jury acquited her caregiver. So, justice for children does not bode well in Colorado.

[Annie143]

So many opportunities lost. I was working in my garden this week and had my grandson with me some of the time. I was thinking about how much Chandler would have liked what we were doing and it made me sad again.

SNIPPED:

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_8789174

Officer in Grafner case lacked child interview training
Questioned boy in abuse case
By Felisa Cardona
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 04/03/2008 11:03:15 AM MDT


The Denver detective assigned to find out from 6-year-old Chandler Grafner whether he had been abused testified Wednesday that, at the time, he had no forensic training in how to interview a child.

Now that he has had the training, Denver police Detective Curtis Johnson said he realizes that the questions he asked Chandler may have led the child to cover up what the couple who cared for him are accused of doing to him.

Chandler denied during Johnson's interview that he had been abused and said that his legal guardian, Jon Phillips, "respected him."

Johnson testified during a pretrial hearing in the first-degree murder case against Phillips and his girlfriend, Sarah Berry. The couple were charged with first-degree murder after Chandler died May 6.

The 7-year-old weighed only 34 pounds when he died. The coroner declared he died of starvation and dehydration.

Dave Fisher, chief of the Denver Police Department's investigation division, said he could not directly discuss Chandler's case because it has not gone to trial, but he praised Johnson, who has been with the department for 11 years.

"He is an excellent investigator, and that is why he was assigned to the child-abuse unit, and it takes a very special kind of detective to work in that environment," Fisher said. SNIPPED

[Annie143]

In addition to the insightful article above, the comments are very good.

The police department should not have sent an untrained officer out to interview any child of suspected abuse. Just as they shouldn't ask the child questions in front of the caregiver/potential abuser. Children just want to please and stay safe. You can hear so much of how Chandler has been coached as to what to say when one hears the things he said, such as. "being respected".

I do hold the police department, not the individual officer and child services, along with his deadbeat parents and the murderers for Chandlers death.

Sorry to ramble on so.:(

[Annie143]

Have still not been able to confirm that there is a marker for Chandler's grave. As of a month or so ago, there was not, according to the cemetary director. Several people had stepped forward to pay for it.

The trial is on hold as motions are ruled on.

It will be a year in May that little Chandlers life came to a horrible end. It saddens me.

[Annie143]

I wonder if anything will ever change.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/apr/15/kid-welfare-system-flawed/

Human Services chief admits 'several' kids should have lived
Probe of 13 deaths highlights failings of child welfare system
By Sara Burnett, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Karen Beye, executive director of the Colorado Department of Human Services, leaves the news conference Tuesday after concluding that several of 13 child deaths in 2007 after visits to their homes by county social services workers could have been avoided.

Zoe

Luz

Neveah

Alize

Chandler

Loreyna

Rosalia

Related LinksChild Maltreatment Fatality Report 2007
Child-by-child reports

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story should have said that Mary Maes Campos said she had voluntarily given up custody of three of her children to relatives before the death of a fourth child.

At least some of the 13 children who died last year after visits from county social workers might still be alive if social services had done a better job, the executive director of the Colorado Department of Human Services said Tuesday.

In one case, a social worker observed bruises on a 7-year-old girl's body and a mother with a methamphetamine problem. The girl told the case worker her older sister beat her up and the worker closed the case, saying it was "inconclusive for abuse."

In another case, social workers had at least 15 referrals about a Lincoln County boy before he died at age 11.

"I certainly looked at (these cases) in terms of, 'Are there things that could have been done that might have prevented this child's death?' " DHS director Karen Beye said. "In several of those cases, the answer for me was yes."

snipped[/*]

[Annie143]

I have been away from my computer for several days and missed these.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_8906162

Lost in the system
A lack of foster-care funds and workers is no comfort for some kids needing help.

By Karen Auge The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 04/13/2008 10:31:36 PM MDT

Jeff's little brother looks out the front window of his grandparents' home in Thornton. The little brother and his sister, who haven't seen their big brother in nearly two years, were adopted by Jo and Ron Lynes after the children spent time in foster homes. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post )

A lot of people tried to do the right thing for Jeff. And yet, it all went very wrong.

When a neighbor saw what she thought were choke marks on his little sister's neck, she reported it.

Adams County human services responded quickly. Investigators talked to the children in person and away from their mother. They examined the kids and took pictures of marks and bruises. And when they were convinced their mother's boyfriend was hurting them, social workers whisked Jeff and his little brother and sister off to foster homes.

In the nearly six years since, one set of foster parents was accused of abusing Jeff, and another set rejected him. Two attorneys have represented him, a truckload of therapists have examined, diagnosed and treated him, and at least three caseworkers have been assigned to him. He has been up for adoption, then not. His brother and sister have been adopted by their grandparents; Jeff hasn't seen them in nearly two years.

When children the system is supposed to protect die of abuse or neglect, as happened to 13 Colorado kids last year, it gets attention — and this year a state investigation.

Not so when they survive.

As Jeff's case illustrates, even in a system where most workers do their best, the odds are against them — stacked by a system that is underfunded, widely dysfunctional and inconsistent, and at times seems to operate in a common-sense vacuum SNIPPED

[Annie143]

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_8933825

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_8938064

The report itself is well worth reading. Very informative though much is known. Hispanic cases are on the rise as the population goes up and maybe due to poverty issues.

[Annie143]

I hope Chandlers death will not be in vain.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_8937984

Quick responses at Capitol
Governor and lawmakers expected to look into child-welfare system
By Christopher N. Osher
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 04/16/2008 02:03:54 AM MDT

Gov. Bill Ritter today will issue an executive order and a key state legislator will introduce a bill in response to a state review of child deaths in Colorado.

Officials in the governor's office declined to discuss the order, but one legislator who had received briefing materials said the governor would push a far-reaching comprehensive study of the state's child-welfare system.

Other state legislators said Tuesday's report would kick off a lengthy discussion of how best to protect Colorado's children.

State Rep. Debbie Stafford, D-Aurora, said she would introduce legislation that could lead to fundamental changes in the child-protection system.

Colorado is one of 13 states with a state-supervised and county-administered system.

Stafford said she worries that the approach is flawed and needs further study. "This is not finger-pointing, but Colorado has had years and layers of regulations and rules, and I think it's time to pull back and take a big-picture assessment and ask what is really working," Stafford said.

She said she worries that Colorado's approach has created a patchwork safety net in which some counties have child-protection systems that flourish while others languish.

Andrew Romanoff, the Democratic speaker of the House, said he is supporting legislation, already introduced, to find ways to break the cycle that occurs when children are abused and grow up damaged and become abusers.

Romanoff said the legislation would funnel additional state resources, especially mental health services, to abused and neglected children in three pilot counties in hopes of creating a model program.

Blueprint for changes SNIPPED

[Annie143]

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_8951547

"Action" on ways to keep kids safe
After 13 deaths in 2007, Ritter forms a panel and aims to widen oversight.
By John Ingold The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 04/17/2008 06:04:06 AM MDT

Gov. Bill Ritter on Wednesday announced the creation of a 25-member "action committee" to evaluate and recommend changes to the state's troubled child-protection system.

The announcement came one day after the state Department of Human Services released a report that found state and county agencies did not do enough to prevent the deaths last year of 13 children who had been brought to the attention of agencies for abuse concerns.

"We should believe in this state that one death of a child who had contact with protective services is too many," Ritter said. "Thirteen in our minds is an outrage."

While the report identified problems in specific cases — communication breakdowns and inadequate follow-up were frequent problems

Ritter said the state must also look more broadly at its child-protection system to identify possible fundamental flaws.
In Colorado, county governments administer child-welfare services with oversight from the state, a structure used in 12 other states.

Ritter said that because of county personnel privacy rules, the state does not know whether any of the county social workers involved in the cases mentioned in the report have been fired.

The state also has no verification that county workers are being adequately trained.

The committee will look for better ways for all agencies to work together.

In the meantime, Ritter said the Department of Human Services will immediately expand training to county child-protection workers.

The Democratic governor said he has asked for $475,000 from the legislature to hire six new state employees to provide oversight of county child-welfare programs.

Currently, the state has one employee devoted to that oversight, Ritter said. SNIPPED

[Annie143]

the Lost in the System article is gut wrenching. What are we doing to our children. That whole article is a real eye opener as well as the comments at the end.

Pray for the children.

[Annie143]

Hi, rachelRose. I guess because I have been so involved in the whole story, they look arrogant and unrepentant to me. I know we are used to some real bad losers showing up on these boards and to me, that makes these people look even worse.

I read comments from some people that knew Jon and they said he was a real "prixx" and some others said they just couldnt believe it. She, Sarah, was supposed to be estranged from her family, according to an early news account and she had that goth look going there at first. Neither one seemed to remorseful. I think the thing that got me the most of all is when they cleaned Chandler up, changed his clothes, dumped the cat litter and set down to watch tv while waiting for the paramedics to come. How callous and unfeeling.:(

What a legacy to leave the other child, Dominick. He knows what happened and he has to live with that his whole life. Roxanne White, the former head of CPS in Denver said he was with a real nice family. I hope so and I wonder for how long.........

Anyway, I know I am covering old ground. I will just be glad when they go on trial, Chandler gets a grave marker and I pray he is in a better place. I will not believe it if the "parents" do not get the death penalty for what they did. If they have to put that little boy in front of those two to testify, it will break my heart and his too, I am afraid.

Thx for taking an interest in Chandler. :)

[Annie143]

I dont recall whether I posted this before on the old thread but it is so chilling to me. I have nothing against Colorado and Florida's track record of CPS or DCF is pathetic, it just seems like even less is being done there. In Florida, we do have a volunteer ad litem system, though many more are needed. This is just so sad to me, about the different children.

Colorado officials refuse to take child abuse and neglect seriously

Emily Tracy
Saturday, January 26, 2008

In Colorado, 2007 was the year of the child – severe child abuse resulting in too many fatalities, and too many child abuse cases with long-lasting injuries. And in many of those cases, the children and families were known to public child protection agencies.

Why are we tolerating this? Why are we turning a blind eye to the suffering and deaths of children in our state – those least able to protect themselves and to speak up?

A legislative committee recently held a hearing exploring solutions to the problem. However, news coverage of the hearing was limited and did nothing to fully illustrate the scope of Colorado’s tragedy.

Perhaps the list below will help: Weld County had at least two child fatalities in 2007 in which the children and families were known to the child welfare system. On March 9th, seven-year-old LoReyna Barea died of starvation and physical abuse.

Unbelievably, at age seven LoReyna weighed only 35 lbs. She was living with her aunt Genevieve Barea and the aunt’s boyfriend Dan Partch. Prior to the child’s death, Weld County Human Services had received reports of concern about LoReyna’s welfare.

On December 6th, seven-year-old Zoe Garcia of Johnstown was allegedly killed by her 16-year-old half sister Heather Trujillo and Heather’s 17-year-old boyfriend Lamar Roberts. The alleged perpetrators were said to have been imitating the video game Mortal Kombat in their assault on Zoe. In Zoe’s case, too, concerns about the well-being of the child had been communicated to Weld County Human Services prior to the child’s murder.

Denver County Human Services was involved with three families in which there were child fatalities in 2007. Seven-year-old Chandler Grafner died May 6thdue to starvation.

He had also been physically abused. He was in the care of his stepfather Jon Phillips and the stepfather’s girlfriend Sarah Berry. In addition to Denver, both Arapahoe and Jefferson counties were involved in this child welfare case. Among all the players in the three counties, no one seemed capable of appropriately responding to the concerns expressed – particularly by the schools – prior to Chandler’s death.

On September 21st, three-year-old Neveah Gallegos disappeared in Denver. Her body was found three days later. Neveah had been living with her mother Miriam Gallegos and mother’s boyfriend, Angel Ray Montoya. Human Services involvement? In July 2006, medical evidence confirmed that Neveah had been sexually abused, most likely by Mr. Montoya, but Denver Human Services apparently did not take the appropriate step of removing the child from the clearly injurious environment. Mr. Montoya was a registered sex offender – the question must also be asked, why was he allowed to live in a home with a young child?

Then most recently, on December 30th, four-month-old Luz Valdez died as a result of physical abuse, with Isidoro Valdez-Ruelas, 24, the alleged perpetrator. The Denver Department of Human Services had investigated the child’s situation approximately one month prior to Luz’s death, because there were allegations that Valdez-Ruelas was dropping the infant to the floor. It has been reported that on December 18th a caseworker said the case was “high risk,” however inexplicably on December 26th the agency determined there were no safety concerns. Two days later, while in the care of the alleged perpetrator, Luz was taken to Children’s Hospital with bleeding on the brain. She died two days later.

Another system-involved child fatality, this one in El Paso County: On October 10th two-year-old Alize Vick died of a violent blow to the head while in foster care with Kids Crossing foster parent, Jules Lynn Cuneo, 34.

The El Paso County Department of Human Services had received multiple complaints about Cuneo. For example, evidence was received from a neighbor in May that a child was suffering in Cuneo’s care. What was the evidence? The screams of a child inadvertently recorded on the neighbor’s child monitor. It is alleged that report was never investigated. Alize’s grandmother had also filed three complaints with the Department of Human Services because of concerns she had about Alize’s treatment by Cuneo.

Heard enough? We’re not done. On April 7th, three-year-old Jolyn Torpoh died in Arapahoe County in the care of her mother, Susie Ida Quartey, 34. The child had been beaten, stabbed and sexually assaulted. Ms. Quartey recently entered a plea of not guilty.

On October 31st, seven-year-old Rosalia Garcia died in LaJunta in the care of her father Salvador Quintana, 23, and stepmother Carmen Marquez, 28. The court files were sealed but were unsealed on January 9th. The coroner has not yet issued a finding on the cause of death.

In 2007 there were also several cases of severe child abuse in Colorado which did not result in death, two in Fremont County. On July 16th a two-year-old boy in a Florence home was discovered by police officers with severe injuries. The boy was transported to Children’s Hospital where medical staff said it was the worst case of child abuse they had ever seen.

The child was badly bruised, malnourished and dehydrated, had a closed head injury, a burn, compression fractures, and had bite marks on his penis. The boy had been in the care of his mother, Mandy May Bates, 20, and mother’s boyfriend Ronald Jason Francis, 33.

On October 17th a two-year-old boy was severely injured in the care of his mother Monica Ellison and mother’s boyfriend Jeromy Pirraglia in Cañon City.

The boy was placed on life support in a Colorado Springs hospital, had surgery to remove half his brain, and is now in foster care. As a result of the abuse he is blind and cannot walk. SNIPPED....MORE

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jan/26/colorado-officials-refuse-take-child-abuse-and-neg/

[James_A]

Hi Annie,

I just wanted to take a few seconds to thank you for keeping us informed, and for keeping Chandlers name on the forum.

[Annie143]

this just rips me apart. From the previous article.

On October 17th a two-year-old boy was severely injured in the care of his mother Monica Ellison and mother’s boyfriend Jeromy Pirraglia in Cañon City.

The boy was placed on life support in a Colorado Springs hospital, had surgery to remove half his brain, and is now in foster care. As a result of the abuse he is blind and cannot walk.

[Annie143]

CDHS- CW Page 1 of 15 8/27/2007
Child Fatality Review: Grafner
Colorado Department of Human Services
Child Fatality Review 8-27-07

A. Identifying Information:
Child: Chandler Ashton McLain-Norris- Legal name on Birth Certificate
Also known as Chandler Ashton Grafner

DOB: 4/12/2000
DOD: 5/06/2007

Biological parents:
Christina L. Grafner: Biological mother of Chandler and Chandler’s pre-school-age sibling.
Josh Norris: Biological father of Chandler

Caretakers of Children at time of Chandler Grafner’s death:

Jon Phillips: Identified as psychological parent to Chandler and biological father of Chandler’s pre-school-age sibling.
Sarah Berry: Identified as girlfriend/common law spouse of Jon Phillips

*. Involved Counties:
Arapahoe County Department of Human Services (ACDHS)
Denver Department of Human Services (DDHS)
Jefferson County Department of Human Services (JCDHS)

C. Introductory Statement:
The Colorado Department of Human Services Child Fatality Review Team conducted the review of the circumstances surrounding the death of Chandler Grafner. The team
members include county and state staff, as well as legal, clinical and medical consultants. The purpose of the review is to examine existing practices and policies and how they currently affect the child welfare system in order to explore ways to improve it. These
findings should not be construed to link the counties’ actions to the actions allegedly perpetrated on this child by his guardians.

Statutory authority for this review is in Title 26-1-111, Colorado Revised Statutes.

The Department of Human Services supervisory authority is outlined in the areas of child welfare and other programs as specified. It is in the capacity of supervision of the
county’s administration of child welfare programs that the state has the legal responsibility to require the corrective actions and to conduct follow-up reviews.

CDHS- CW Page 2 of 15 8/27/2007
Child Fatality Review: Grafner

The review team reviewed the administrative fatality review reports submitted by Arapahoe, Denver, and Jefferson County Departments of Human Services, reviewed case records and conducted interviews with child welfare staff from all three counties. In the course of the review, the State review team did multiple interviews with community members, such as law enforcement, attorneys, etc. These interviews are not
directly represented in the report.

D. Chronology:
10/07/2004:
Arapahoe County Department of Human Services received a referral from a mandated reporter regarding neglect and possible abuse on two siblings. The report indicated that the four year old was not potty trained, still on a bottle and allegedly expressed fear of his dad. Named parents were Jon Phillips and Christina Grafner. (Mr. Phillips was stepfather to the 4 year old.)

Allegations were investigated and unfounded. The assessment was closed on 1/13/05 with a risk level of medium. Mr. Phillips and Ms. Grafner were residing together with the children in Arapahoe County.

6/16//05:
Denver County Department of Human Services received a referral on Christina Grafner alleging she was smoking around her child who reportedly had asthma. Allegations were investigated and were unfounded. At the time of this referral both children were with Mr. Phillips.

9/23/05:
One of the siblings, Chandler, age 5, and a neighbor child, age 3, were found walking along E. Dry Creek, a busy, major street, at 9:30a.m. It was determined that the children had been missing for about 50 minutes. Chandler was living with his mother, Christina Grafner who was charged with Child Abuse – Knowing/reckless. On 11/02/05 a guilty plea was entered and she received probation for one year. The court case was closed
11/2/2006. Ms. Grafner was residing in Arapahoe County with the children.

12/07/2005:
Christina Grafner and her two children were living with maternal grandmother in Arapahoe County. The referral to the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services alleged that Chandler was beyond control of his parent and that Christina Grafner refused
to take Chandler in for counseling. This referral was assigned for assessment and contact was made timely.

12/12/2005:
A mandated reporter made a referral to Arapahoe County Department of Human Services
after the 12/7/05 reporting party shared similar concerns.

12/14/05:
During the course of the assessment the maternal grandmother called and reported that Christina Grafner had taken the children and moved to Jefferson County.

CDHS- CW Page 3 of 15 8/27/2007
Child Fatality Review: Grafner

12/15/2005:
Arapahoe County received another call from the grandmother in which she provided the new Jefferson County address, so Arapahoe County DHS made a referral to Jefferson County. The address for the mother and her children that the grandmother provided could not be confirmed by Jefferson County. The assessment was closed, as the whereabouts of the mother and her children were unknown. Ms. Grafner was allegedly residing in
Jefferson County with the children.

3/26/2006:
The Jefferson County Department of Human Services received a referral from law enforcement indicating that the mother of the children had been arrested for a traffic violation and had appeared to be under the influence of drugs. The children were taken into protective custody. The children appeared neglected and reported having not eaten since the day before. A case was opened and a Dependency and Neglect petition was filed as a result of the assessment. Jefferson County Department of Human Services was given temporary custody of the children and placed them with the maternal grandmother.

5/18/2006:
Jefferson County Department of Human Services transferred custody of the children to Jon Phillips and continued to provide services for the remainder of the year. Mr. Phillips’ girlfriend, Sarah Berry, was added as a special respondent in July 2006.

1/11/2007:
Court hearing held in Jefferson County stating that the Department of Human Services was dismissed from case and Allocation of Parental Responsibility (APR) was awarded
to Jon Phillips. Jefferson County was relieved of Protective Supervision on this date.

1/17/2007:
At 3:00p.m a Denver elementary school reports child abuse to Jefferson DHS (school records noted that Jefferson DHS was involved with the family). At 2:11p.m. on 1/18 Jefferson DHS faxed and called the referral to Denver DHS. Jefferson DHS ascertained that Denver had jurisdiction as the family was living in Denver County. Denver DHS initiated their investigation on 1/19/07. The allegations were determined to be unfounded. The Denver DHS investigation was closed in Trails on 2/07/07.

2/07/2007:
Allocation of Parent Responsibility was certified through the Domestic Court. Jefferson
County District Court Case (D & N) was dismissed.

4/17/2007:
Denver Department of Human Services received a referral regarding concerns that Chandler was withdrawn from school. The referral was screened out because the county concluded there were no allegations of abuse or neglect as defined by law.

CDHS- CW Page 4 of 15 8/27/2007
Child Fatality Review: Grafner
5/06/2007
Denver Police Department reported that Chandler had died and requested the Denver Department of Human Services to assist with the fatality investigation. Jon Phillips and Sarah Berry were arrested and jailed on suspicion of child abuse resulting in death.

E. Case Summary:
Chandler Ashton Grafner died on May 6, 2007 while in the care and custody of Jon Phillips and his girlfriend/common law wife, Sarah Berry. Chandler and his sibling were placed in Jon Phillips’s home in May of 2006, with temporary legal custody transferred
through the Jefferson County District Court on July 27, 2006. On January 11, 2007, the court in Jefferson County allocated parental responsibility to Jon Phillips, where Chandler remained until his death.

CON'T

[Annie143]

www.thedenverchannel.com/download/2007/0828/13993118.pdf -

CON'T

E. Case Summary:
Chandler Ashton Grafner died on May 6, 2007 while in the care and custody of Jon Phillips and his girlfriend/common law wife, Sarah Berry. Chandler and his sibling were placed in Jon Phillips’s home in May of 2006, with temporary legal custody transferred
through the Jefferson County District Court on July 27, 2006. On January 11, 2007, the court in Jefferson County allocated parental responsibility to Jon Phillips, where Chandler remained until his death. Chandler died from cardiac arrest and was severely malnourished, weighing thirty-four pounds at the time of his death. The initial police reports noted that Chandler suffered
from malnutrition and had been locked in a closet. Jon Phillips and Sarah Berry were arrested in connection with Chandler’s death and have been charged with: First Degree Murder by a Person in a Position of Trust, victim under 12- years-old; Child Abuse
Resulting in Death by a Person Acting Knowingly or Recklessly; and First Degree Murder After Deliberation and with Intent to Cause Death.

Arapahoe County Department of Human Services:
The Arapahoe County Department of Human Services had two involvements with Chandler and his family. The first referral was on 10/07/2004 when a mandated reporter called Arapahoe County Department of Human Services expressing concerns that
Chandler was neglected. This referral was assigned for Assessment. An Arapahoe County Department of Human
Services caseworker made several attempts to contact the family and ultimately nterviewed the mother, Christina Grafner, and Chandler. Chandler and his sibling were observed and were determined to be healthy by the caseworker and through collateral contact with medical personnel. The caseworker documented concerns regarding the family’s circumstances, as the family had moved six times in the last year. Christina
Grafner expressed concerns about her boyfriend, Jon Phillips, who is the father of Chandler’s sibling. These concerns included allegations of domestic violence and that Jon Phillips was addicted to pain pills. Christina Grafner also expressed concerns that Jon Phillips may hurt Chandler. Christina Grafner had voluntarily sought counseling with the therapist, but Jon Phillips had refused to continue in counseling. The caseworker cautioned Christina Grafner about leaving Chandler alone with Mr. Phillips if she had concerns that he would hurt the child. The caseworker provided Christina Grafner with options for safe places to go to and advised her she may need to take the children and leave Mr. Phillips if she continued to feel unsafe. The caseworker made several attempts to contact Jon Phillips to interview him, including unannounced

CDHS- CW Page 5 of 15 8/27/2007
Child Fatality Review: Grafner

visits and a letter, but was unsuccessful in making subsequent contact with him. This assessment was closed with a risk level of medium. The 12/7/05 referral to Arapahoe County included allegations that Chandler was beyond the control of his parent and that Christina Grafner refused to take Chandler in for
counseling. The reporting party also stated Chandler ran away from home in September 2005 and was found by law enforcement. As a result of this incident, Christina Grafner
pled guilty to a charge of “reckless endangerment;” however, there is no documentation that law enforcement reported this legal intervention to Arapahoe County Department of
Human Services. It was subsequently learned that Christina was placed on probation for this incident, but she denied any legal issues at the time of her interview with the Arapahoe County intake caseworker. Christina Grafner and the two children were
residing at the home of the maternal grandmother at the time of the report. This referral was assigned for assessment. The caseworker met with Christina Grafner and her children at the maternal grandmother’s home, where they were residing at the
time.

Christina Grafner acknowledged that Chandler was having many behavioral problems and that they had gotten worse after his visits with Jon Phillips.

Christina Grafner again reported that Jon Phillips used heavy drugs and alcohol and that this led her to move away from him, and she again expressed concerns that Mr. Phillips was
abusive toward the children. The intake caseworker urged Christina Grafner to seek mental health treatment for
Chandler and to apply for Medicaid. The intake caseworker also observed both children and documented that they appeared to be developmentally appropriate, clean and well dressed and when questioned, Chandler denied any bruises from spanking.
At one point, the maternal grandmother left messages with the caseworker stating she might not allow Christina Grafner and the children to continue to reside with her. The intake caseworker staffed the status of the case with her supervisor and they concluded that as long as the grandmother was providing safe care, there were no imminent safety issues and no grounds for legal intervention at that time. The maternal grandmother
advised the caseworker that Christina Grafner was not being honest with the caseworker and she believed that Christina was using drugs and alcohol and abusing and neglecting
the children. Although county staff recognized that the level of risk in the family was high, they concluded there were no current safety issues to warrant legal action. The intake caseworker continued her assessment and was unsuccessful in making further
contact with Christina Grafner. On 12/15/05, the maternal grandmother advised the caseworker that the mother of the child had moved to Jefferson County. The Arapahoe County intake caseworker sent a referral to the Jefferson County Department of Human Services notifying them of the circumstances related to Christina Grafner and her children. Jefferson County Department of Human Services sent the referral back to Arapahoe County documenting “no confirmed Jeffco address, family has open case in your (ACDHS) county.” Arapahoe County Department of Human Services made no further attempt to contact the family or validate the address and closed their assessment.

THERE ARE MANY MORE PAGES THOUGH I AM HAVING A HARD TIME POSTING A LINK. I AM NOT SURE THE LINK WILL WORK AS IT IS A PDF FILE AND PUBLIC INFORMATION. TRULY HEARTBREAKING.

[Annie143]

Still waiting for courtdate. While the lawyers try and find a way to get them out of his.

This may have been seen before on the old thread but, it is a video of the two as they asked to be tried separately.

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/parents-of-starved-child-ask-to-be-tried-separately/1647364478

I hope he rots in hell. I would so love to ask him face to face whether he feels like such a big man now......? whether torturing a child made him feel macho....... ? I hope they burn his *** and keep her in jail forever. She should not be around children, ever, again, no matter what excuse she makes up.

[Annie143]

A lady in Denver went out to Chandlers gravesite a weekend or two ago and placed some flowers on Chandlers grave from she and I.

She took her husband and little boy who is a little younger than Chandler was. People had left several Hotwheels cars and her young son was sitting at the edge of the grave, playing with the cars. He had also brought one of his favorites to leave at the gravesite. She worried at first that playingwith them might seem disrespectful but she said she started thinking......"it's a beautiful Spring, Sunday afternoon, we are on a little hill looking over to the mountains and what would a young boy be doing on a day like this........playing with toy cars in the grass......"

She took pictures but I wont post them. It makes a body cry.
No one seems to know what happened to the headstone for Chandler. Poor little guy. I guess he is old news now.

Chandler :rose:

[Annie143]

Thank you for posting that, I was just on my way of doing so. Much thanks and also for not forgetting Chandler.

I do hope some will read the article and send a donation, whatever you can afford. I am getting a check off today and I am so happy we are moving forward on this. It has been uphill.

Please, everyone, remember little Dominick, as well. He is going to have to testify at the trials, when those finally happen. He is just a little boy and has really been traumatized.

RIP Chandler, we haven't forgotten you.:rose:

[Annie143]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jun/24/readers-gifts-exceed-cost-of-headstone/

Rocky Mountain News
Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Reader donations to buy a headstone for Chandler Grafner have surpassed the $1,300 cost, according to the agency collecting funds. Chandler died May 6, 2007, at the age of 7. His caretakers are accused of locking Chandler in a closet and starving him to death.

His grave at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wheat Ridge has a marker, but no gravestone.

On June 18, the Rocky Mountain News wrote about a fund being set up at Denver's UMB Bank for the headstone. No more donations are needed. The surplus is being turned over to a group that works with needy children.

The Rocky will continue to follow the story I hope the parents follow through for this little boy.

[Annie143]

From what I understand, about $4000. The rest is donated to a fund that works with abused and neglected children.

RIP Chandler :rose:

[Annie143]

In the previous article as when the Rocky Mtn News is giving the donation info, the bio father speaks in the comment section at the bottom.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jun/18/starving-boy-forgotten-in-death/#comments

An interesting insight to his thinking and feelings. I wonder why he didnt get a job, put a marker on his sons grave and then, go to school. So many reasons/excuses why these happened or didnt happen. Really sad.

[Annie143]

the trial will be starting soon. I hope I am up to it. If the family can stand it, I guess I can. Poor baby.

[Annie143]

I'm with you about trying harder but I know they are limited!! I think she did try, she reported it and CPS really dropped the ball. CPS didnt starve and physically abuse this child but several people should have lost their jobs and some kind of charges brought against them. It is almost unbearable to read what happened with this child.

[Annie143]

pray for justice

http://www.9news.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=96624

Chandler :rose:

[Annie143]

piece.

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_10032970

[Annie143]

The attornies ought to hang their heads in shame. How do they discount the words of another child who was there ? How do they discount the words of the teachers aide who tried to help Chandler ? The policewoman who felt the children should be removed and CPS denied the request ?

Pray for Dominick to have the strength to answer their questions when they interrogate him.

:rose:

I forgot
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/29/trial-begins-7-year-olds-starvation-death/

[Annie143]

there is a little additional info on the Denver Post addy previously posted.

They have an "expert"....... I wonder who paid for that and they can be bought for a price.

Why was Chandler in the closet ? Why wasnt he in school ? Why wasnt he seeing a doctor ?

I know they are trying to get the death penalty off the table. I hope they do not succeed but we place so little value on our children. I dont understand it. We will send a person to death row on trumped up evidence but we give child murderers the benefit of the doubt. I wouldnt.

[Annie143]

It is so hard to read these things. I dont know how the jurors can bear it.
http://m.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/29/trial-begins-7-year-olds-starvation-death/

Defense attorneys say 7-year-old died of diabetes, not starvation
By Sue Lindsay
Originally published 03:59 p.m., July 29, 2008
Updated 06:17 p.m., July 29, 2008

Emaciated 7-year-old Chandler Grafner didn't die of starvation but from undiagnosed diabetes that caused his body to consume itself, defense attorneys for Jon Phillips told jurors Tuesday at his murder trial.

"Chandler Grafner did not die from starvation locked in a closet," said defense attorney David Jones. "Chandler Grafner had a secret killer. That was diabetes. It caused his body to feed on itself in a very rapid period of time, even though he was eating and drinking."

Prosecutor David Lamb told Denver District Court jurors that Chandler slowly starved to death after the man and woman he called Daddy and Mommy put him in a locked closet where he was kept in the dark without food and water.

Phillips, 27, and his girlfriend, Sarah Berry, 23, are charged with first-degree murder, child abuse resulting in death and tampering with evidence. Berry will stand trial after Phillips.

"He and Sarah Berry squeezed the very life out of this child," Lamb said. "They crammed him under the bottom shelf of a linen closet, in a space no larger than an oven. They denied him food and water and left him there to sleep in his own urine, in his own feces. On May 6, 2007, after weeks of starvation and deprivation of water and being stuck in a dark hole, Chandler Grafner died."

Lamb showed the jury a photo of Chandler's emaciated body. He weighed only 34 pounds at the time he died.

But Phillips' defense attorneys say prosecutors and police have it all wrong. The feces-encrusted closet Lamb described is merely where the family cat's litter box was kept, Jones said....SNIPPED the defense attorney ought to be ashamed.

[Annie143]

http://m.9news.com/news.jsp?key=122927&rc=lo

On several of the sites, there are pictures of Jon Phillips, Mr. Big Man.

They say abuse begats abuse but it is hard to dredge up any sympathy for him......or her.

[Annie143]

The mother, Christina Grafner
http://www.myfoxcolorado.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7032063&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

There is a really good video on the Channel 9 News

http://www.9news.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=96693

[Annie143]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/30/defense-claims-diabetes-killed-chandler-grafner/

testimony in the trial. It will make you angry and sad. I had to step away from this some today, it was too much. They are carrying live updates.

[Annie143]

Live feed from trial.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/30/defense-claims-diabetes-killed-chandler-grafner/

[Annie143]

this is so hard, to see the pictures of Chandler and know what he was going through. As someone said, even if he developed childhood diabetis, it is even worse that they withheld food and water and my understanding is that you become extremely thirsty with it. My grandson does and he will get ravenousely (?) hungry and he is skinny as rail. Poor little fellow.
I hope Dominick can stay strong and tell the courts exactly what he told the police and the counselor. Pray for Dominick.

[Annie143]

http://photos.denverpost.com/photoprojects/galleries/cologalleryV6.html
I hope the link works.T his will break your heart. The ones where it shows his eyelashes lying against his cheek just rips my guts.

If you hold the cursor, after centering the slide show, just below the top of the photo, there is a drop explanation of some of the photos.

[Annie143]

thank you, Rachel Rose, for keeping up with this. I had to step away from it for a day or so, my heart was breaking with each picture that I saw of Chandler and heard the many missed chances to save him. I just could not take anymore.
I did read today of Dr. Haas' comments and I cheered him. There is so much evidence to disprove this stupid diabetes claim. How disrespectful to Chandlers memory and to the intelligience of the public.
I have said it from the beginning, this child was doomed from the onset.

[Annie143]

If you want to see an angel, go to the top of the page and look at Chandlers school picture.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/30/defense-claims-diabetes-killed-chandler-grafner/#comments

[Annie143]

thx, Rachael Rose, for posting. I had to leave it for a few days. It was weighing too heavily on my mind and heart. So, I had my 4 year old grandson over for the day and his hugs, kisses and "I tan do it, grandma" puts everything back in place. (He cant say "c's or "g's")

for Chandler :rose:

[Annie143]

I am so glad this is over and I hope the appeals do not change anything.

According to the RMN's, if she is sentenced as expected, 48 years, she will have to serve 75% of her sentence before being eligilbe for parole @ age 58. Wonderful !

RIP chandler :rose: I am drained.

[MaFitz]

This case really blows my mind. A former boyfriend is able to get custody of a child just like that? No psych testing, home visits? What the bio mom is a loser, bio dad is a loser, so loser bio mom's former boyfriend just gets custody of the child?

Oh yeah mom and dad really care about little Chandler now that he is dead! Oh the money they will get! But how long has it been and still the little boy they "loved" so much has no headstone?

I don't know who I want to beat first, mom, dad, "psychological" dad and his girlfriend, CPS? God for so many things to just stack up against this boy's very life.

Christina (bio mom) really worked the system, by moving from one county to another, which is why having a statewide system would be a good idea.

I hurt for his teachers who tried to get him help. They actually tried, and they still ended up having to see this little boy dead. Its bad enough when NO ONE gets involved.

In a way I feel for CPS because they are so badly underfunded, and have limited placements available, but state governor's and city mayors, and county council members would never dare blame themselves for the failings. They just swiftly move to put a band aid on it, and make the public think they have fixed the problem, and until another beautiful little boy dies people will believe the problem is fixed.

[Annie143]

You said it all perfectly, MaFitz. It is hard to look at the pictures of Chandler and not break down. Pray that the appeals do not go anywhere. I do fault the CPS workers, very much so. What was so evident, they ignored.

[Annie143]

Chandler is still never far from my mind and heart. The tragedy and injustice in this case is heartrending, to me. There were so many chances to save him and they were ignored. I understand he told the judge who gave him to Jon Phillips that he wanted to stay with his grandmother. when I reread the testimony where Chandler said, "nobody loves me", I just come apart.

The CPS workers should lose their jobs over this one and the so called parents shouldnt get a dime in compensation for his death. Blood money. Where were they for the several months that Chandler was with that monster and his girlfriend ? I can tell you where. Going on with their lives, taking vacations, having parties... and then they wanted to plead victim and remember Chandler as he was..... they wanted the heat and spotlight off their neglect and lack of concern that they didnt try hard enough to protect this little boy. Yet, they came up with all kinds of excuses as to why they didnt...... none it holds water...... they will answer to a higher power someday for their part in this tragedy. And now the bio mother is pregnant and about to deliver another child by a different father and they arent married.

It burns me up that there is no responsiblity taken.

This little boy, along with many others, will always be in my heart.

eta: their some efforts to get a Chandlers Law bill going. That will make it mandatory that a child must be checked on if they are withdrawn from school after a complaint is logged. I havent seen much effort on the part of the bio father or grandmother, though it is a difficult process. A friend is trying to get something started through her contacts.

[Annie143]

I guess this is permissable but the link is to a pic of little Chandler's abuser. I hope the mustache is an attempt to appear not so young and baby faced when he hits the prison yard soon.

https://exdoc.state.co.us/inmate_locator/offender_detail.php?docno=142671

[Annie143]

Another, I hope it is okay.....there is a fund for Chandler with the school he attended to build a "castle" that he drew for the playground.
They had not wanted to draw attention to it during the trial phase as they had to testimony during the trial. But they are not opposed at the school to some low key solitication. It is being built on a volunteer basis.

According to a person on site, there were many more indications of abuse than was brought out at the trial and they knew something bad was happening. A few weeks prior to Chandlers leaving the school, they watched him with withdraw from everyone, he was slipping away and they felt helpless.

(I have to pause periodically in writing this because my anger at the system and the people who should have protected him and cared, failed him so miserably. It becomes too much.)

The person that was aware of these things said that Chandler liked to draw castles and was a very sweet and special child. A retired teacher donated some beautiful books that are on "Chandlers Shelf" and can be taken and used in the individual classrooms.

I will be happy, if nothing comes out in the newspapers on this, to share the address to donate to the memorial fund handled by the school if someone wants to pm me. I dont know if it would be permissable to post it on the board.

May God always keep little Chandler in his care and all of the other children that suffer so needlessly.

[Annie143]

Sarah Berry's sentencing date is 9/29. I know a few who are going to attend. I think most everyone is stuck on "why" ? But, I doubt there will ever be any answers. The prosecuting attorney said after the trial that he thought Jon was in complete shutdown and denial. They both have presented completely bland and unemotional faces to the world since Chandler's death. I believe when she accepted a plea, until then, she thought she might get off or get a light sentence. They are monsters.

When she sat on the couch while Chandler lay dying and afterwards as Jon cleaned up, she became a subhuman to me and I truly believe she was a willing participant in his death, as evidenced by the cell phone message. Thank God, that was saved and it probably cooked her goose.

There is no redemption for either of them and I hope they suffer. May be, Jon, after 40-50 years will have some regret. He has in effect put himself where he put Chandler, no way out. For once, justice will have been served for one of these innocent ones.

Sorry, I always get this way on Sunday nights when thinking of poor little Chandler.

[jenlo873]

I found this out on Craigslist regarding a memorial for Chandler:



http://denver.craigslist.org/vol/845679722.html
Reply to: jacklynlong@yahoo.com [?]
Date: 2008-09-18, 10:34AM MDT

MEMORIAL FOR CHANDLER GRAFNER

Any one interested in helping to finish a playground memorial for Chandler Grafner ?
You can send donations to the following address, please pass along.

3185 So. Willow Ct.
Denver, CO 80231
Phone: 303.751.3157 FAX 720-424-6375 Make payable to: The Chandler Grafner Playground Fund

Please forward this to any one who may help

Location: COLORADO
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 845679722



Not a day goes by that I don't think about this child. I see him a lot in my own son, who is only a few months older than Chandler. I will never understand how two people could knowingly and willingly do what they did, especially to a child they swore to protect. It also sickens me that Chandler's family never once checked up on him, after losing custody of him.

My heart breaks for this little boy because of how much he suffered and for how long. No child should ever know such pain and sorrow. I wish he could know how much he was loved, even by people that have never met him.

My heart also goes out to his younger brother, Dominic. As he gets older, I hope he doesn't hold himself partly responsible for what those monsters did to Chandler.

Children are the innocents. We must protect them! Rest in peace Chandler.

[Annie143]

I had not seen that. I have corresponded with this lady quite a bit and she very much wanted to help with the playground. She is in law school and Chandlers death has affected her deeply, as it has many of us.

The story will run in the paper either today or Monday, I think I was told.

:rose: For Chandler, Dominick and all the innocents who suffer at the hands of the people who are supposed to protect them.

[RayStar]

Shame Shame I just read the first post here. This is so sad. So many ifs. I will check back to see what her sentence is.
I will go back and read more about this case (if I can) because I don't understand why more action was not taken when he showed up with bruises. Just in case the teacher reads here, I thank you for trying. I am blaming only the rotten young people/sub-humans who killed this innocent.

[Annie143]

Raystar, I hope you have time to follow this pathetic case though it is coming to conclusion in a way. After if became obvious that Jon the monster wasn't going to get away with it, she took a plea bargain and got 48 years, I think it was. In other words, supposedly, she will be around 56 years old before she is eligible for parole. Wonderful. So, the sentencing is just a formality, again, from what I understand but, people want to be there as a show of support for Chandler and disgust with her.

The school has already spent a good bit on the playground "castle" out of school funds. The fund is to put some of it back and if they get enough, they will expand the "castle" a little. There is a space constraint but they really want him remembered for the sweet child he was and hopefully everyone will do more in these situations. I get the impression they feel like they should/could have done more and they are trying......

Now, onward to Chandlers Law that will require CPS to followup when a child is withdrawn from school after an abuse complaint.

Again, thank you, Raystar for interest in Chandler Austin McClain Grafner. (in reading the official report, I see he is listed as Chandler Austin McClain Norris)

[Annie143]

I misspelled Chandler's middle name. He isnt Austin, he is Ashton. OH my.

[Annie143]

I swear, when I saw the picture of "Castle Chandler", I broke down and cried.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/sep/22/castle-chandler-funds-still-needed/#comments

Play area built in memory of young victim of abuse
By Ashleigh Oldland, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Originally published 12:05 a.m., September 22, 2008
Updated 08:51 a.m., September 22, 2008

Silvia Razgova / Special To The Rocky

A playground structure named "Castle Chandler," in honor of Chandler Grafner, who died of abuse at the hands of his caretakers, now sits at the Holm Elementary School playground.

Chandler, was locked in a closet and starved to death.

Those who knew him remember Chandler Grafner as a little boy who liked to draw pictures of himself in castles.

So when some Holm Elementary School community members wanted to build a memorial for Chandler, they decided to erect "Castle Chandler" in the kindergarten playground.

The plaque on the side of the structure display those words in loud yellow letters. The memorial is topped with a plastic flag imprinted with Chandler's last drawing, a picture of himself in his own imaginary Castle Chandler. Kids can climb up one wall and slide out another.

Chandler died May 6, 2007. He was 7 years old. He was starved to death by his caretakers - Jon Phillips and his girlfriend, Sarah Berry.

Chandler weighed 31 pounds when he died. He was covered with bruises and sores after being kept in a dark, feces-smeared closet without food and water, according to testimony at Phillips' trial. Phillips was convicted of first-degree murder, and Berry pleaded guilty to second-degree murder without going to trial.

After Chandler's death, Joanne Trabert, secretary at Holm for the past 22 years, and others from the school who knew Chandler started a support group to cope with the tragedy.

The group worked with Mark Ashland, president of Children's Playstructures & Recreation in Centennial, to design the memorial. In May 2008, a year after Chandler's death, the group got together after school to help build the memorial themselves in order to cut costs. {snipped}

[Annie143]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/sep/29/sentencing-today-chandler-grafner-starvation-death/#comments

Sarah Berry receives 48 years in the starvation death of Chandler Grafner.

She was tearful........:shrug: barf

[Annie143]

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/17585356/detail.html

There is a lovely video with the teacher that was so close to Chandler. She said what I felt was a truth all along, that those two wanted to break his spirit and he would not let them. His spirit and heart was intact up to the very end. I said from the very beginning he had the heart of a lion and the courage and grace of an angel. The world has lost some of its luster with his passing.

RIP Chandler:rose:

[Annie143]

https://exdoc.state.co.us/inmate_locator/offender_detail.php?docno=143217

she will be there for a loooonnnnngggg time. Her youth is gone.

[jenlo873]

Someone has created a beautiful memorial website for little Chandler:
http://www.chandlergrafner.org/

[Annie143]

Jen, thx for the link. I hadn't seen that. There has also been a group established at Linkendin or something like that to work for Chandlers Law. Chandler was a special little boy and touched many lives.

I haven't heard if there was much donation toward Castle Chandler at the school and am anxious to know the results. I hope it will be a huge success. I received a beautiful thank you card from them with a picture of the castle he drew, as well as, a dark blue bacelet, like the pink breast cancer bracelets, that says Castle Chandler. I wear it all the time.

[jenlo873]

You're welcome Annie. It's heartening to see that this child has touched so many people, without our ever having met him.

A group was started on Linkedin for Chandler. The group is called Chandler's Castle and can be found here:
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=896927&trk=anet_ug_hm

I was also able to find a MySpace page for Chandler. It looks like it might be maintained by his aunt. It gives some history on Chandler... it was nice to read about his favorite things and pastimes. There are also a few pictures of Chandler when he was younger. So sweet but broke my heart too. His MySpace page can be found here:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=396635232

There is a link to his mother's MySpace page, from his page. Apparently Chandler now has a little sister. She was born the end of September.


Take care,
Jen

[Annie143]

thx again, Jen, for posting those links.

I am already a member of the linkedin group and anyone is welcome to join. We will be working to try and get a Chandlers Law passed.

I am familiar with the myspace pages of Tina and Chandler. I was deeply moved in reading the personal items about Chandler. It was very emotional. It made him very real and his sweet spirit came shining through but, in some ways, it made his death even more bitter.

I hope something good and positive will come out of this childs lonely life and horrible death.

Chandler :rose:

[Annie143]

A friend in Denver sent an email and I have edited it somewhat, per her instructions, but the gist of it as follows:

more than enough has been collected to cover the cost and they are looking to expand the castle even more on the playground!

the resturant where Jon and Sarah workedgave a fund raiser on Sunday evening with 10% of the proceeds going to the Castle Chandler fund. She said it was a great turnout, that they had balloons, flowers, etc. They are talking about having another fundraiser soon...

So in a nutshell the goal has been met but more funds are of course always needed and everyone concerned has been so overcome with how generous people have been.... been so amazed at the school with the amount of people who care so deeply about what happened to Chandler.....

Chandler touched many hearts in many parts of the country. Denver and Colorado, in general, has had a very bad track record with child abuse/neglect and death. I am not just picking on that area as I try and do what I can where I live, too. We all have to work whereever we can and where our hearts lead us.

God bless this child that died saying "no one loves me".:rose: I think of him every day and hope this can be prevented from happening to another child.

[Annie143]

Someone sent me an email with this note as to where Sarah Berry will be located. It burns me. She committed a heinous crime and she gets sent to a facility of this kind ? She isnt supposed to be reintegrated for 38 years and then I hope she isnt paroled. Forgetting isnt part of the plan here......

the Denver Womens Correctional Prison-the facility houses 900 minimum restricted and minimum custody inmates with a line staff of 243 and 95 other staff. DWCF offers a non-traditional programming to female inmates and an aggressive program to reintegrate these offenders into the community-anon

[Amy]

There is so much to this story.

His mother got off into drugs, early on, and I think the family, from what I hear from people who know them, are not of the highest class. I dont know how else to say it without being down right offensive.......

She, the mother, apparantly was pretty loose. Grafner is not even the name of the real father. He, the real father, petitioned the courts to name him the real father after DNA testing and he is now sueing CPS for not protecting his "son". I am trying not to make a judgment call of this but, I hope it is not all about money or it will be beyond believing. The mother has sued, as well.

According to one of the contacts in Denver, Chandler's life and death has raised awareness of child abuse and the failings of CPS to a new level. Hopefully, he will not have lived in vain.

He still doesn't have a grave marker.

Chandler :rose:

The mother is suing WHO? The mother who participated in keeping Chandler in the closet, not feeding him, not letting him out to go to the bathroom? She's suing WHO? OMG!!!!

If her case actually got onto any docket, I'm going to say the judicial system of CO has a big problem and whoever lets it get that far should be removed from whatever position s/he holds.

And disbar whatever lawyer "took on" her case---probably some ambulance chaser who approached her. In KS we used to have a sanctions on lawyers who brought frivolous suits to court--only one local lawyer that I know of was sanctioned, and if the threat of sanctions is still on the books, I don't know--seems there are plenty of frivolous cases being tried.

[Amy]

In the previous article as when the Rocky Mtn News is giving the donation info, the bio father speaks in the comment section at the bottom.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jun/18/starving-boy-forgotten-in-death/#comments

An interesting insight to his thinking and feelings. I wonder why he didnt get a job, put a marker on his sons grave and then, go to school. So many reasons/excuses why these happened or didnt happen. Really sad.

I couldn't see what the bio-dad was saying, but think I got the gist from the comment section.

And, I don't know where I got the idea that Phillps' common law wife was Chandler's bio mom....I wondered why their relationship was worded so strangely (to me, because I tho't, why not just call her his mom, but I see I missed something.)

When I was reading thru some of the articles, the ones about his review, I'm thinking---geeeesh!!!!! They moved to your county. Well, you have the open case in your county--back at ya. Well, we tried, end case. WHAT???????

@ least the kids WERE removed from mom's custody and care. But, why in the name of all that is holy would they place them in the care of the drug-up, messed up dad--and why put Chandler with an unrelated person, especially one the mother reports as drug using. Oh, yeah, I'm sure they asked the POS if he was using drugs, and I'm sure he said no. Close case.

As for the bio-dad--he can't work since his child has died? Well, it sure didn't seem to bother him much about not having his child in his life when said child was alive and needing a FATHER. I have sympathy for him as a dad whose child has died, but I have NO sympathy about him not being able to work. All over this nation, parents whose children have died or who have been murdered have to pick themselves up and go back to work.

[Amy]

I read the article on the first page by Richard Warrick? re:the case of 4 kids in PA killed by their mom. He talks about people going to the home, but with the reports, there was nothing that warranted breaking into the home, nor to even get a warrant.

However, in some of the CO cases, and I am sure in some of the cases in other states as well, there WERE reasons to take the kids from the homes.
-----------------------
On September 21st, three-year-old Neveah Gallegos disappeared in Denver. Her body was found three days later. Neveah had been living with her mother Miriam Gallegos and mother’s boyfriend, Angel Ray Montoya. Human Services involvement? In July 2006, medical evidence confirmed that Neveah had been sexually abused, most likely by Mr. Montoya, but Denver Human Services apparently did not take the appropriate step of removing the child from the clearly injurious environment. Mr. Montoya was a registered sex offender – the question must also be asked, why was he allowed to live in a home with a young child?
---------------------------------------------------
MY question isn't why he was allowed to live in the home with a young child, but why the CHILD was allowed to live in the home w/mom's sex offender boyfriend. IN MOST CASES, the "mom" wants the love and attention of a "man" so badly that she will sacrifice her own children to be w/him. What did they do? Tell mom that she will have to kick b/f out, and then did they check to see? Not just check w/the mom, but ask the neighbors. Go by the apartment/house here and there, and see if b/f's car is there. Maybe even knock on the door @ midnight or so---see if he is there.

No, you remove THE CHILD from the environment.

And, the 7 y/o in Denver whose mom was known to the department as a meth user. Oh, she said sister did the injuries to her. Like they should believe that. BUT, if it is true---WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU LEAVE A CHILD IN A HOME WHERE HER OWN SISTER IS CAUSING BODILY HARM AND THE "MOTHER" DOESN'T SEEM TO STOP IT????? CASE CLOSED????? SHE WAS BEING ABUSED BY SOMEONE IT THAT HOME!!!!! For goodness sake--if they believed it about the sister--the sister should have been removed!!!!

[Amy]

The attornies ought to hang their heads in shame. How do they discount the words of another child who was there ? How do they discount the words of the teachers aide who tried to help Chandler ? The policewoman who felt the children should be removed and CPS denied the request ?

Pray for Dominick to have the strength to answer their questions when they interrogate him.

:rose:

I forgot
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/29/trial-begins-7-year-olds-starvation-death/

For Pete's sake!!!! Wonder how long it took for them to dig up something like this? Defense attorneys ought to be hung out to dry when they concoct bs to present to the jury!!!!

AND, if Chandler was eating and losing weight--HELLO!!!!! There are these places called clinics and hospitals, and when a little one is sick, or is losing weight, parents take them to one of the places, and a person called a doctor or a nurse practitioner or physician's assistant checks the little one out. There might be a little pain if they draw blood, and they might take pictures of a sort of the inside of the body, that is called xrays. These people find out why little kids lose weight.

OH, yeah. People who are abusing their kids usually don't want to take their kids to the doctor--he might just figure out they are being abused!!!! DUH!!!!!

They don't deserve to live, either way.

[Amy]

The mother, Christina Grafner
http://www.myfoxcolorado.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7032063&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

There is a really good video on the Channel 9 News

http://www.9news.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=96693

I wonder why she (the mom) refered to POS Phillips and wife as "foster family" or foster parents? He was the boy's "step" father, the father of his biological brother. The one his mom was living with @ some point in time.

[Amy]

When I first started reading here, I didn't realize the thread was started (I think) Jan. But, I was hooked and couldn't "put the book down" til I got to the end.

Thank goodness, justice was done for Chandler. I vacilate between wanting POS's to die for their deeds, and wanting them to live a very, very long, uncomfortable, guilt-ridden life--in prison. I think the only problem I have w/the DP is that execution is not as painful and tortuous as the death of the victims. (And, there are people who worry that lethal injection is "cruel and inhumane.")

What a wonderful thing for the school to do by honoring Chandler w/the castle he designed. I feel bad for the teachers and the aides and nurse who tried to get help for Chandler, and those cries went unheard.

[Annie143]

Amy, you have been as overwhelmed as I was when I first started reading about this case. It is only one of so many but little Chandler really touched my heart. For me, the most heartwrenching thing is that he could have been saved so many times and no one listened or cared enough to do anything, including his so called "family". They were going about their business, partying, having fun, taking trips, while this child was being tortured to death and then they wanted to play victim......

The grandmother tried and though I didnt get the impression she was a paragon of virtue, at least she loved Chandler, more than the mother did and tried to keep him.

I still burn when I think of Chandler. We have formed a couple of groups to work for children and try and get a Chandlers Law in the works. It would require CPs to monitor a child who has been withdrawn from school when there have been complaints registered. The school personell has been deeply moved by this childs plight. There is much that they saw that did not come out in the trial.

What is so mindbending is that CPS did Nothing to help him with repeated complaints and sent him back to his death. That I can never forgive.

The only reason I opted for the death penalty was that they would have many years of appeals to contemplate what they had done, knowing that eventually they were going to get the needle. Fitting punishment.

[Annie143]

It must be all the turmoil and unrest with the economy and so many new cases of child abuse but, I cant seem to get little Chandler off my mind during these holidays.

God bless you, Chandler :rose:

[Annie143]

there is a wonderful slideshow at the myspace page of Chandlers bio father, Josh Norris, of the preparation and erection of Castle Chandler at the school this sweet child attended. It is way down the page. It is a good thing.

http://www.myspace.com/chandlernorris

Chandler, dear child :rose:

[Elle]

WTH is wrong with people!

I just read about 3 babies that were thankfully removed from a home, a case I am grateful that LE and CPS were quick to act, then I come here. Who was looking out for Chandler? Why was this allowed to happen? Why did so many turn their heads? There is NO excuse. The negligence of others cost this boy his life. I do put the ultimate blame on the 2 animals that starved him to death, however I do think that those who remained silent, or did not do their jobs in protecting him ought to be held accountable for their actions/inactions, for they did play a part.

I read the opening post about this absolutely beautiful little boy who, at the hands of those who were to love and protect him, died a horrific death.
I am enraged.Again, words fail to convey the absolute disgust I feel.

I am also PO'd that I read that she, this boys mother, who starved him to death, was able to plead down to 2nd degree. WHY is this allowed?? This was not 2nd degree, this was MURDER ONE.

God, that article (post 1) was so heartbreaking. I cannot even begin to imagine what Chandlers life was like for him.

I am going to read more after I step away a bit, after I compose myself.

God Bless you Chandler:rose:

[Annie143]

Elle, this is a very tragic story, one of so many. I think the part that always gets to people is that he could have been saved at so many interventions. That is why I feel so much anger at the system and the people who handled him at various junctures (?). They should be held accountable as well, in some fashion. But that is not going to happen.

Sarah Berry, his second killer, was Jon's live in girlfriend. thank God they were able to save that telephone messsage of hers. That really cooked her goose and solidified his downfall. I agree, 2n degree was not right but it saved another trial. She could be 50 something before she is eligible for parole.

If you have not read the official case investigation yet, please do so. But, it will break your heart. And the poor little boy died telling his brother that "no one loved him". Those bastxxxx!

I dont have much good to say about his family either. From what some have said, they continued to go about their lives, parties, vacations, etc, while poor Chandler was being starved to death. Out of sight, out of mind, I guess. Now, they seem to want to be seen as victims. It is hard to understand. I cannot imagine what his grandmother must be going through. And, Chandler even told the judge that Jon hurt him. Nobody listened. Nothing was done. I wonder do they even remember him today. I am thinking seriously of writing a letter to the editor and asking that very question.

I know I shouldnt rehash it but it still hurts. When I think of his little body in that cold ground, I just want to slap somebody. Enough, I will desist.

[Elle]

Hi Annie

I am going to read up on everything. It is really just so awful. I jumped and responded before reading as much as I should have. Thank you for the correction as to who Sarah Berry is. What disgusting vile people they are.
:rose: Chandler

[Annie143]

Who didn't see this coming......? When the article first came out, they had a picture of Chandler with it.....

Denver child-agency hires stall
Denver Human Service's projected deficit alters plan to boost safety
By Christopher N. Osher
The Denver Post
Posted: 02/05/2009 12:30:00 AM MST


Faced with a possible $29 million deficit by 2010, leaders of Denver's Department of Human Services may renege on their commitment to boost the number of caseworkers who protect children from abuse.

Last year, the agency asked the Denver City Council to authorize the hiring of an additional 38 child- protection workers, saying doing so was needed to stem a growing controversy over the deaths of children who were killed by caregivers after being seen by caseworkers and left in abusive homes.

Now the agency says attrition has reduced the child welfare staff to where it was before that commitment was made.

The plan is to keep the department staffed at a reduced level because "a much more detailed analysis" than the one used to justify new hires determined "caseload-to-worker" levels were close to national standards, the agency said in a recent memo to the City Council.

"Given the department's fiscal position, rather than openly recruiting to increase the social worker staff levels to achieve a net increase of 38, the program managers and department leadership is more strategically filling positions with the intent of continuing to maintain the appropriate caseload-to-worker ratio," the agency said in the memo.....snipped

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_11630144

[Annie143]

this old, old newspaper is closing its doors. Such a shame. It gave the most comprehensive coverage regarding Chandlers case so I dont know how long the info will be up. It is almost a memorial to dear Chandler.

[sleuth]

Hispanic and poverty has little to do with it. It's a sickness. Where can one turn when CPS and LE turn their heads. Reading this post made me think of a simular case, far from Denver.Reports did nothing and many times made it worse. Now one of the children is old enough to join the Army, wonder what kind of parent he'll make. I have never believed in abortion but watching this family for 17 years has sure caused me to second guess my own beliefs. Personally the jury is still out on that one, but it makes one think more clearly when it happens under their own nose. Do we have the right to impose an 18 year prison sentance on someone we are not going to protect and who is guilty of nothing but being born? Not making and executing laws to protect them is insane. War and taxes are very important but our Country needs to address child neglect and abuse because it rages right here in our own neighbor hoods.

[Leather&Lace]

Gosh, reading through this thread and the links, it appears to me there were a lot of people that failed to protect this little boy.
How utterly sad.
What a cruel way for this child to die.
All the playground sets in the world will not change what happened to Chandler. Too bad the extreme efforts were not in place to protect him.

Heartbreaking :rose:

RIP Chandler

[Annie143]

(snipped) War and taxes are very important but our Country needs to address child neglect and abuse because it rages right here in our own neighbor hoods.sleuth, I just reread your post and you are so right in what you said. I am not sure about the Hispanic and poverty reference but the whole post was dead on, in my opinion.

Leather&Lace, he was a dear little boy and as I have often said, he made the comment to his little brother, "nobody loves me......" I still mourn this little boy and so many like him that could have been protected or saved and people did not get involved or didnt go the extra mile.

Thank you for getting to know Chandler.

[Annie143]

I understand that the father (Jon) of Chandlers brother (Dominick) and Chandlers murderer has had his parental rights taken away. I am so happy about that. I guess that also means that the idiot grandparents (JOns parents) will not have access to him either....hopefully.....

Sweet Chandler :rose:

[Annie143]

I know this is old news but, I had not seen this recap of the life and death of little Chandler. It still brings a tear to my eye, thinking of this dear child. I still meet people on the internet who have not been able to forget him either so I guess he touched a lot of people.

http://coltonleviclark.wordpress.com/category/chandler-grafner/

Dear Chandler :rose:

[Annie143]

http://www.2thedeuce.com/news/kdvr-grafnermom-050609,0,818378.story

A small story about Christina Grafners' suit against child welfare services on the second anniversay of Chandler's death.

Still a sad, sad story.

Chandler :rose:

[Annie143]

If this is about holding someone accountable, how about HER?

She had two boys by two different fathers, and was neglectful and lost both of them to one of the boy's fathers.

SHE's accountable. I would like to see her making an example of her life so hopefully other stupid women don't make the same mistakes she did and have a murdered child. I could not agree with you more. I wish that some of the family would step forward and say, "we dropped the ball with Chandler and essentially abandoned him."

[patho]

This is going on everywhere, not just Colorado and everyone must get involved.



http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jan/26/colorado-officials-refuse-take-child-abuse-and-neg/

http://search.access.gpo.gov/supreme...9-5406&x=0&y=0

[Annie143]

Hey, thxs for the info. I couldn't find what you were telling me though when I did a search. Could you explain or point me in the right direction ?

[Annie143]

I guess Josh(bio Dad) has taken his myspace page down. I hate that. I would go out occasionally and look at the pics of the volunteers erecting Chandler's Castle. It comforted me somehow.