Chandler Grafner-starved to death

[Annie143]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/new...ring-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/new...ring-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.

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/new...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/sh...hreadid=146062

JUSTICE FOR CHANDLER!

[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!

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! [/*]

[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/new...-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/new...ehalf-grafner/

[Annie143]

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

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

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.
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.

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/new...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

[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

[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.blogs...udges-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 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/new...f-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.

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/new...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

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