GUILTY TX - Tamryn Klapheke, 22 mos, dies of severe neglect, Abilene, 28 Aug 2012

[TGIRecovered]

we have a thread on the mom already

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183271&highlight=Tiffany+Klapheke

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2012/oct/16/charges-may-be-pending-against-cps-employees-say...
(snip)

A CPS employee told police another employee took the Klapheke file home and when it was returned the following day, "multiple documents including the notes regarding the investigation" were missing, according to the affidavit...(snip)

Standridge said during the investigation, CPS workers were advised by their supervisors to be uncooperative with law enforcement in the police investigation of the child's death...

According to the affidavit, a supervisor recounted to police "several other cases involving Callahan County Sheriff's Office and Tye Police department" where Denny and McDaniel had ordered investigators not to share information with law enforcement....(snip)

...several CPS administrative supervisors "knowingly concealed, altered, and/or destroyed records and other documentation" about Child Protective Services' involvement with the girl's family.

"Early evidence would suggest some of this conduct pre-existed the Klapheke investigation," Standridge said. "Clearly some of the documents that we got today will shed more light on that question."

© 2012 Abilene Reporter-News.

The supervisors named in the affidavit are Bit Whitaker, Gretchen Denny and Barbara McDaniel. It looks like this is the tip of the iceberg.

Mods, I'm sure this will be a big part if the case against the mother of the baby who was left to die in her crib, but it will probably end up affecting multiple local CPS cases by the time they dig through the mess. Merge or keep it separate?

 

[TGIRecovered]

http://www.ktxs.com/news/KLAPHEKE-D...ase/-/14769632/16995858/-/2q8b8x/-/index.html

The affidavit claims CPS caseworker Claudia Gonzalez closed a neglect investigation on Tamryn just six days before the child died. Gonzalez resigned September 13 and, according to CPS, did not follow CPS protocol when she closed the case.

According to a state memo, Gonzalez's supervisor, Barbara McDaniel, was formally disciplined twice and put on a six month probation for not tracking Gonzalez's work. It reads: "Your lack of follow-up and supervision resulted in Ms. Gonzalez not having regular contact with the family and ensuring the children's safety."

I think it is interesting that the case worker who resigned does not appear to be the target of the investigation. The articles say that 12 employees were interviewed. It looks like they were all just following the boss' orders.

Have to say, if this all turns out to be true, what a stupid move on the part of those supervisors. Stupid all the way around, from CPS failure to properly investigate and get help for those dying babies to the closing of the case without a follow up visit to the cover up of the whole stinkin mess! Can this really be a coincidence...six days later the baby is dead and the two sisters in critical condition?

MOO

 

[TGIRecovered]

http://www.ktxs.com/news/Former-Abi...ice/-/14769632/17034372/-/mfr86m/-/index.html

Former Abilene CPS worker alledges more wrong doing at local office
POSTED: Oct 17 2012 07:17:41 PM CDT UPDATED: 7:45 PM Oct 17 2012


This link is for a video report, no article to go with it. It is worth watching! This former worker from the Abilene CPS quit a year ago and tried to alert the state officials of the fabricated reports and other wrongdoings. No action was taken and now the whistleblower is the subject of a CPS investigation invloving her own children.

Lots of details. One in particular: supervisors offered to "fluff the affidavit" in order to justify removing someone's child. She says "fluffing" was commonly used around the office, everyone knew what it meant.

 

[Lois Lane]

BBM

Tiffany Klapheke is still in jail.

Carp hitting the fan re CPS...

ABILENE, Texas (AP) — Texas Child Protective Services placed three employees on leave Friday in the wake of the death of a nearly 2-year-old Abilene girl whose mother claims she was too stressed by her husband's deployment to care for her children.

The workers — a regional director, an investigation supervisor and a caseworker — were cited in a search warrant affidavit earlier this week as being suspected of tampering with evidence. But no charges have been filed against them.

Memos released by the agency late Friday show that top CPS officials told the three employees that they were on "emergency leave" pending the results of an Abilene police investigation into the Aug. 28 death of Tamryn Klapheke.

Police launched a rare investigation of the Texas child protection agency after the girl died at an Abilene hospital. Abilene police Chief Stan Standridge has said his department began investigating the local CPS office after "certain CPS supervisors" refused to cooperate with officers investigating the death.

Agency spokesman Patrick Crimmins had said the CPS caseworker assigned to investigate allegations of medical neglect against Klapheke had closed the case soon after being promoted to supervisor and just six days before Tamryn died. In doing so, the employee violated CPS guidelines that require a final face-to-face visit and someone else to sign off on the closure, he said.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/texas/ar...uses-CPS-shakeup-airman-s-charges-3965792.php

Dyess man charged in case involving Klapheke
By Christopher Collins christopher.collins@reporternews.com 325-676-6721

Friday, October 19, 2012

A Dyess Air Force Base airman was charged with four offenses Friday, three of which were in connection with the case of Tiffany Klapheke, according to a statement released by Dyess.

Senior Airman Christopher Perez, 23, was charged under the Uniform Code of Military Justice with failure to report child abuse or neglect, adultery, and child endangerment in the Klapheke case.

(The fourth charge against Perez is unrelated to Klapheke.)

Child Protective Services investigated the Klapheke household four times dating back to April 2010. Three of the four investigations were "ruled out," meaning CPS no longer suspected neglect was going on. A fourth investigation was administratively closed.

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2012/oct/19/dyess-man-charged-in-case-involving-klapheke/?print=1

Abilene detectives opened an investigation Tuesday [October 16] on Denny, Whitaker and McDaniel for possibly tampering with or withholding the Klapheke's neglect case evidence, a third-degree felony.

No charges have been filed.

DFPS is conducting an internal investigation, and the state's inspector general is also investigating.

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2012/oct/19/family-and-protective-services-spokesman-toddler/

Yesterday, yet another CPS employee was suspended in relation to the Klapheke case.

WICHITA FALLS — The program administrator for the Child Protective Services office in Wichita Falls has been placed on emergency leave in connection with an investigation into CPS in Abilene that involves possible tampering or withholding evidence from an investigation.

Marleigh Meisner, a spokesperson for CPS, confirmed that Geneva Schroeder was put on paid emergency leave Monday. She said she can’t discuss the reason because of the ongoing investigation.

Patrick Crimmins, a CPS spokesperson in Austin, said Schroeder is the highest ranking executive in the investigations program in the region and reports directly to the Region 2 and 9 director.

http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2012/oct/23/local-cps-head-placed-leave/?partner=RSS

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Kudos to the Abilene PD for doing their job.

Kudos to Terri Langford of the Houston Chronicle for breaking the story.

Kudos to the CPS investigators and caseworkers who do their jobs.

Shame on CPS administrators for allowing things to get to where they are.

:furious:

My frustration is extremely local.

 

[Lois Lane]

Original reporting by Terri Langford (Sunday, October 14):

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/CPS-target-of-probe-after-toddler-dies-3948135.php

Additional follow-up:

But it's the behind-the-scenes action, in which police said CPS workers were told by super*visors not to cooperate with officers investigating the case, that now takes center stage and could affect hundreds of other cases in the Abilene region.

"The evidence suggests that the conduct being investigated predates the Klapheke investigation," Chief Stan Standridge told the Houston Chronicle, which reported Monday that a CPS investigator quietly closed a previous case involving Tamryn and her sister six days before the girls were found.

The search warrant affidavit details suspicions that CPS regional administrator Bit Whitaker; program director Gretchen Denny, who has since relinquished that post and been reassigned; and CPS supervisor Barbara McDaniel, who was later reprimanded by CPS; tampered with evidence involving the Klapheke investigation.

Specifically, the affidavit states that another CPS worker, Rebecca Tapia, "was ordered not to release any information or photographs to medical staff or law enforcement" after Tamryn's death and while investigators were at the hospital with the surviving sisters.

"Rebecca did not provide a photograph because she was directed by a supervisor not to provide a photograph," Standridge told the Chronicle.

According to the affidavit, Abilene detectives interviewed 12 CPS employees in the weeks since Tamryn's death and believe that several supervisors "have intentionally and knowingly concealed, altered or destroyed records and other documentation material to this investigation because of the damaging nature of the documents."

(The search warrant affidavit can be found at the following link.)

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-t...CPS-computers-records-in-widening-3954342.php

BBM

This is just one of 12 regions. Other reporting in the Chronicle suggests the underlying staffing issues are not isolated to this region.

Hopefully, this region is the worst.

Hopefully.

 

[Lois Lane]

Tiffany Klapheke also had a "paramour," CPS records show. Spokesman Patrick Crimmins verified the man was in the home when Tamyrn was found dead. Base officials identified him as an active duty service member.

http://www.chron.com/default/article/CPS-target-of-probe-after-toddler-dies-3948135.php

Klapheke's husband, Thomas, filed for divorce last week [two weeks ago]. His attorney's office said there would be no comment on the case.

http://www.chron.com/default/article/Police-probe-Texas-agency-in-case-where-child-died-3952911.php

 

[MsFacetious]

Well of course... it's perfectly logical that you would have time for an affair, but not time to change your baby's sheets.
I'm guessing that is who was charged with failing to report it.

 

[MsFacetious]

CPS workers also confirmed there had been "neglectful supervision" of the girls by Tamryn's mother, her boyfriend and father.

--------------------------

Tamryn's sisters now are in foster care together.

"We are providing a great deal of support and services to the father, and everyone involved in the case has agreed that this is what is best right now," Crimmins said.
"He is visiting both girls in the home regularly, and our hope is that the family can be reunited."

http://www.chron.com/default/article/CPS-target-of-probe-after-toddler-dies-3948135.php


Dad is listed as divorced on facebook, but is still friends with Mom. So is his family.

 

[lizzybeth]

When I first read the mother's statement that she had no one to help her I thought it was strange that she also said she attempted suicide and a friend came to her aid. I was thinking why didn't this friend come to the aid of the children. Now it makes sense, the friend was her boyfriend...of course he didn't care about the welfare of children by her husband (not saying ALL men are this uncaring).

This little angel saved the lives of her siblings. This abuse could have gone on and on until their deaths.

I feel heartbroken for the this little one and her father. I hope he gets all the help he needs to cope with the loss of his daughter and in taking care of his two surviving children. The help their "mother" claims she never got.

 

[Lois Lane]

An Article 32 hearing for Senior Airman Christopher Perez, slapped with three charges by Dyess Air Force Base officials last week in connection with the case of a woman's alleged abuse and neglect of her daughters, is scheduled Monday.

The hearing, similar to a preliminary hearing in civilian courts, will begin at 9 a.m., according to a statement from Dyess on Thursday.

Perez was charged Oct. 19 under the Uniform Code of Military Justice with failure to report child abuse or neglect, adultery and child endangerment.

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2012/oct/25/hearing-set-for-dyess-man-tied-to-case-of-womans/

 

[Lois Lane]

ABILENE, Texas (AP) — Detectives will present evidence "in the weeks ahead" about whether a state child protection agency may have hindered a police probe into a Dyess Air Force Base toddler's death, a West Texas police chief said Friday.

Abilene Police Chief Stan Standridge said the McLennan County District Attorney's Office in Waco recently was appointed as the special prosecutor over the case of possible evidence tampering involving Child Protective Services.

Klapheke, a 22-year-old civilian, remained jailed Friday on $500,000 bond. Her attorney did not immediately return a call Friday seeking comment. The Taylor County District Attorney's Office will prosecute her case.

Last month, Senior Airman Christopher Perez was charged in military court with adultery, child endangerment and failure to report child abuse in relation to Klapheke's case. Perez allegedly was Klapheke's boyfriend, according to Dyess officials. An Air Force hearing to determine if there is enough evidence against Perez for a trial is set for Nov. 19.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/texas/ar...man-toddler-s-death-4023685.php#ixzz2C1xgQFIr

Other related news is the resignation of Department of Family Protection Services commissioner Howard Baldwin.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-t...cial-over-CPS-quits-after-Abilene-4021722.php

 

[peeples]

More details of the abuse... it's sickening

http://www.ktxs.com/news/KLAPHEKE-C...9632/17471788/-/item/0/-/56ppm8z/-/index.html

home where the children lived had human and cat feces everywhere

Perez indicated he noticed Tiffany would lock T*** and T*** in their room,

Klapheke told Vickers that she suffered from insomnia, and for that reason she went out with her friends to eat, while Perez was at home unable to see the children who were locked in.

3-year-old T*** was very dirty, walked with limp and couldn't stand straight. T***, who was six months old at the time, had bruising under her eye. Soto said Tiffany claimed she planned on bathing the three kids before T*** died.

Soto said the pantry and refrigerator in the home were stocked full of food. Soto said Perez told him T***** would ask for food and other items. He gave her what she asked for, even though that upset their mother.

Tiffany Klapheke accused Perez of spoiling the girl.

 

[Caligram]

This "mother" had abused her children in the past and had been investigated by CPS. Looks like this mommy was more interested in a man than in her own children. CPS was negligent. Both CPS workers and a boyfriend did nothing to prevent the continual abuse of these innocents. How many oportunities were passed up in which these three could have been saved from their non-mothering mother. Poor little babies. This tragedy was preventable and senseless.

 

[Lois Lane]

The latest CPS fallout:

HOUSTON CHRONICLE | November 13, 2012

A retired district judge from San Antonio was named commissioner of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services on Tuesday, taking over an agency facing criminal investigation in the death of a 22-month-old Abilene toddler.

Retired Bexar County Judge John J. Specia replaces Howard Baldwin...

http://www.chron.com/default/article/San-Antonio-judge-to-direct-agency-that-oversees-4035156.php

Special prosecutor named in airman toddler's death
Updated 4:11 p.m., Friday, November 9, 2012

Abilene Police Chief Stan Standridge said the McLennan County District Attorney's Office in Waco recently was appointed as the special prosecutor over the case of possible evidence tampering involving Child Protective Services.

The children's mother, Tiffany Nicole Klapheke....The Taylor County District Attorney's Office will prosecute her case.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/texas/ar...man-toddler-s-death-4023685.php#ixzz2DGB9G8sm

 

[teedie2]

CPS workers also confirmed there had been "neglectful supervision" of the girls by Tamryn's mother, her boyfriend and father.

--------------------------

Tamryn's sisters now are in foster care together.

"We are providing a great deal of support and services to the father, and everyone involved in the case has agreed that this is what is best right now," Crimmins said.
"He is visiting both girls in the home regularly, and our hope is that the family can be reunited."

http://www.chron.com/default/article/CPS-target-of-probe-after-toddler-dies-3948135.php


Dad is listed as divorced on facebook, but is still friends with Mom. So is his family.

It appears that 9 months prior to dad's deployment, CPS was investigating neglect regarding Tamryn. Since the father was still at home, he would basically be involved in that neglect, wouldn't he? Perhaps allowing it to happen? Do I misread this?

CPS is hoping now to reunite the family, the father and two surviving children.

Does that sound familiar?

MOO, or at least, I'm wondering .. someone, please correct me.

 

[Lois Lane]

It appears that 9 months prior to dad's deployment, CPS was investigating neglect regarding Tamryn. Since the father was still at home, he would basically be involved in that neglect, wouldn't he? Perhaps allowing it to happen? Do I misread this?

CPS is hoping now to reunite the family, the father and two surviving children.

Does that sound familiar?

MOO, or at least, I'm wondering .. someone, please correct me.

Crimmins made that statement before the top head rolled at DFCS.

It may no longer be an operative statement.

 

[Lois Lane]

Col. Glen VanHerck, Dyess Air Force Base 7th Bomb Wing Commander, will give his disposition next week on four military charges against Senior Airman Christopher Perez accused of three charges in connection with Tiffany Klapheke whose 22-month-old daughter died Aug. 28 apparently of neglect.

In a separate matter relating to the girl's death, a special prosecutor received Abilene Police Department detectives' reports Friday investigating four Child Protective Services employees in connection with withholding or possibly tampering with evidence.

Special Prosecutor Mark Parker, of the McLennan County district attorney's office in Waco, received some of the Abilene detective's evidence reports on Friday.

Parker said the reports have information dating back to April 2010 when local CPS office first investigated the Klapheke family.

"(The case) will definitely go to a grand jury," Parker said, "but I can't tell you right now if it needs additional investigation or not."

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2012/dec/03/decision-due-soon-on-airman-in-connection-with/

Tiffany Klapheke remains in the Taylor County jail awaiting trial. No indication in the article when that might be.

 

[Gardenlady]

I vote that young Mothers have Psychological test or at least be evaluated before birthing multiple children whom they can not take care of;even if they are married.

I vote that young fathers have psychological test or at least be evaluated before fathering multiple children whom they cannot take care of;even if they are married.

just to be fair of course. Because you do realize that it take two people to have a child, right? There are no virgin births.

 

[peeples]

http://www.ktxs.com/news/Report-com...32/17683014/-/7ufclvz/-/index.html?hpt=ju_bn5

 

[TGIRecovered]

Another child from Dyess AFB:

Police investigating possible attempted strangling of 11-year-old girl at Dyess Air Force Base

http://www.ktxs.com/news/UPDATE-Pol...ase/-/14769632/17691408/-/2wtfnt/-/index.html

Called to Dyess Air Force Base on Wednesday, Abilene police are currently attempting to determine if the girl’s injuries are consistent with what her stepfather is telling law enforcement. The unidentified man told police his stepdaughter had tried to hang herself, but police are working with doctors at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth to determine if attempted strangulation of the girl is a possibility.

I am just posting this here since its another child from Dyess. This is very unusual for this area, very bad for DAFB. I don't know yet if this family has a history with CPS or not. Local police are all over this and not in an "accidental death" kind of a way. MOO

I'll start another thread for discussion of this case.

Let's keep this one for Tamryn and her sisters.