GUILTY ID - Robert Manwill, 8, Boise, 24 July 2009 - #6

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  • #61
The following applies in the Province of Manitoba where I live. If Robert's death occurred here, because Melissa Jenkins received services from H&W within one year before Robert’s death, a review of H&W services after his death would occur.

The purpose of the review is to identify ways in which the programs and services under review may be improved to enhance the safety and well-being of children and prevent deaths in similar circumstances. The report is confidential and must not be disclosed except as required by subsection (3) or as permitted by subsection (6) or Part VI.

<snipped>

Review after death of child

8.2.3(1) After the death of child who was in the care of, or received services from, an agency under this Act within one year before the death, or whose parent or guardian received services from an agency under this Act within one year before the death, the children's advocate

(a) must review the standards and quality of care and services provided under this Act to the child or the child's parent or guardian and any circumstances surrounding the death that relate to the standards or quality of the care and services;

(b) may review the standards and quality of any other publicly funded social services that were provided to the child or, in the opinion of the children's advocate, should have been provided;

(c) may review the standards and quality of any publicly funded mental health or addiction treatment services that were provided to the child or, in the opinion of the children's advocate, should have been provided; and

(d) may recommend changes to the standards, policies or practices relating to the services mentioned in clauses (a) to (c) if, in the children's advocate's opinion, those changes are designed to enhance the safety and well-being of children and reduce the likelihood of a death occurring in similar circumstances.

Purpose of review

8.2.3(2) The purpose of the review is to identify ways in which the programs and services under review may be improved to enhance the safety and well-being of children and prevent deaths in similar circumstances.

Report is confidential

8.2.3(5) The report is confidential and must not be disclosed except as required by subsection (3) or as permitted by subsection (6) or Part VI.

http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/2007/c01407e.php
 
  • #62
These are the other witnesses who testified on Day 10 of Ehrlick&#8217;s trial in addition to Ehrlick&#8217;s ex-girlfriends. The Defense objected to nearly every question about verbal/physical abuse. Attorney says irrelevant to case. Judge keeps allowing.

Next witness: A pediatric nurse who had Melissa Jenkins' youngest son (Robert Manwill's little brother) as a patient. Ehrlick had told detectives R. Manwill was at a July 2009 appt; nurse says no. Pros. says Ehrlick wouldn't bring an abused child to doctor.

Next witness: Another FBI specialist from Quantico who helped recreate hole in apt. wall.

FBI Forensic Artist made a model replica of a hole in Ehrlick's apt. wall and a model of Robert Manwill's head. He explained how he creates models. Judge asked this witness to explain some of the scientific terms he used.

Next witness: An FBI Forensic Artist (does things like composite sketches or sculptures) from Quantico, VA (FBI Headquarters). This FBI specialist made a model of the Pentagon for the trial of a suspected 9/11 terrorist.

While the Jury took a break, the Attorneys argued whether the model of the wall could be admitted as evidence. The Judge allowed it to be. The size of the hole appears to be approximately 4-5 inches across. JG didn&#8217;t give the width of the hole; said it was smaller than Jamie Grey expected it would be.

Next witness: Forensic Supervisor from Ada Co. Coroner's Office who measured Robert Manwill's head for FBI model to be made.

Next witness: Albertson's employee who was asked to pull surveillance video in regards to search for Robert Manwill. Albertson's worker confirmed Jenkins was at store in July 2009; bought a lot of food. They can pull Preferred Card members purchase records.
 
  • #63
People who are on social assistance are required by law to inform their case worker when anything changes in their lives.

Daniel Ehrlick purchased his groceries with an EBT card so Daniel was on social assistance and living in an apartment funded by the government when Robert came to visit his mother in the Summer of 2009. Melissa was working at Blackhawk Industries and if she was living with Ehrlick, Daniel had a legal obligation to report this information to his case worker and declare her income.

This explains why Melissa told her case worker she was living at Daniel&#8217;s father&#8217;s and why Robert was isolated from people in the community. If this information got out, there is a chance someone would report Daniel to his caseworker and he would be in serious trouble. If Robert innocently told someone he was staying with his mother who lived with Daniel, Daniel stood to loose his benefits and he would be evicted from his apartment. He would also be charged with fraud and would have to repay H&W the money they gave him.
 
  • #64
Bluesky#1 said:
People who are on social assistance are required by law to inform their case worker when anything changes in their lives.


This explains why Melissa told her case worker she was living at Daniel’s father’s and why Robert was isolated from people in the community. If this information got out, there is a chance someone would report Daniel to his caseworker and he would be in serious trouble. If Robert innocently told someone he and his mother were living with Daniel, Daniel stood to loose his benefits and he would be evicted from his apartment. He would also be charged with fraud and would have to repay H&W the money they gave him.
Click to expand...

This makes perfect sense! Its amazing how so many pieces fit together you start seeing everything. I think the police suspected them and something fishy from the very first night just based on their behavior. I think the only reason they held the community searches was to keep both DE and MJ distracted while they were building their case. The officer today something was fishy from the when he was very first out there. Even her co-workers were thinking something was up and called the police that night and said she claimed her son was missing, but didn't leave until two hours or so later.
 
  • #65
A nursing assistant who lived in the same apartment complex as Jenkins and Ehrlick testified at Ehrlick&#8217;s trial that Jenkins asked her to tell H&W she was staying with her and not with Daniel.

Jenkins told her case worker she was living with Daniel&#8217;s father. This nursing assistant didn&#8217;t say when Jenkins asked her to lie for her but the reason Melissa would ask her to do this was so Melissa and Daniel could conceal the truth from Daniel&#8217;s case worker and avoid being charged with welfare fraud.

I&#8217;m not sure what charges Melissa would have faced but Daniel definitely would have been evicted from his apartment, his benefits would have been permanently cancelled, he would have had to repay the money he was given, he may have been fined, and even liable for Court costs. Knowing this would have scared the **** out of him and caused him to suffer from severe anxiety attacks both day and night. Melissa was working and not dependent on Social Assistance but she knew she was not to live with Daniel but did so anyway.

Melissa was charged in October 2008 for assaulting her child so H&W became involved in Daniel and Melissa&#8217;s lives AFTER Robert&#8217;s visit in 2008 which explains why there was so much fear in the home and the conditions were different in 2009 when he came to visit and Robert&#8217;s personality was depressed according to those who met him previously in the Summer of 2008. With all the workers involved in Melissa and Daniel&#8217;s life after October 2008, Daniel must have been petrified that their &#8220;secret&#8217; would be exposed and he would loose everything. Having so many H&W workers involved in Melissa and Daniel&#8217;s life would have made Daniel very uncomfortable and extremely anxious long before Robert arrived in July which explains why he was hidden during their visits and why Daniel&#8217;s behavior with Robert was out of control and completely irrational in 2009.

Were these two ever pulling the wool over the eyes of H&W workers who were assigned to help Daniel win custody of Melissa&#8217;s youngest son! What a charade this turned out to be.

Because Daniel refused to come clean with his worker and tell him Melissa was living in his suite (probably because he didn&#8217;t want to declare her income), Daniel would have been severely &#8220;punished&#8221; for his omission by law if he got caught. Welfare workers are assigned to check up on welfare recipients to find out whether they are committing fraud but apparently they did not investigate and discover the truth out about Daniel and intercede in time to protect Robert. The welfare worker assigned this duty testified in Court Ehrlick was using his food stamps appropriately but he didn't say if he surveyed the home to find out if Melissa was living there. And apparently none of the H&W workers assigned to help M&D realized Melissa was not to live with Daniel which explains why they didn't report them. The case worker said she knew Melissa was not to live with Daniel but she didn't say if she knew why they weren't allowed to live together. If she knew, she should have reported them.

Both M&D were aware of the consequences they faced because every person who applies for social assistance has to sign a paper saying they were explained the rules and understood them. They are also told they are required by law to report any changes in their lifestyle immediately to their caseworker. Why else would Melissa lie and tell others not to let anyone know she was living with Daniel?

Daniel and Melissa&#8217;s offending behavior created a fearful environment in their home which explains why Robert was unduly punished in 2009 while he was there and he was immobilized by Daniel. Daniel was using Robert as a means of expressing his personal feelings and limitations.

<snipped>

State's next witness: A nursing assistant who lived in same apartments as Jenkins and Ehrlick when Manwill disappeared.

Witness: Jenkins asked her to lie to Health and Welfare and say she was staying in her apartment and not Ehrlick's. This neighbor says she saw Manwill nearly every day the summer before Manwill died.

&#8220;On Oct. 19, 2008 Jenkins was sentenced to 28 days of work release, fined $75.50 and given two years of probation for hitting her infant son in the head. &#8220;
 
  • #66
A welfare fraud investigator testified Daniel used an EBT card to purchase groceries mainly at Albertson&#8217;s; and an Albertson's employee who was asked to pull surveillance video in regards to search for Robert Manwill, confirmed during Ehrlick&#8217;s trial that Jenkins was at the store in July '09 and "bought a lot of food".

Albertson&#8217;s has surveillance cameras in the store so if Daniel and Melissa didn&#8217;t want anyone to suspect they were living together, I doubt Daniel and Melissa ever shopped together. They wouldn&#8217;t want a welfare fraud investigator to review the tape and see them shopping together since it would ruin everything.

The amount of money Welfare provides isn't enough and most people on social assistance have to rely on food banks to meet their nutritional needs, but it sounds like Daniel was relying on Melissa since the Albertson&#8217;s employee said in July Melissa bought &#8220;a lot of food&#8221;. Daniel wasn't able to provide the necessities of life for Melissa and her children nor could he afford the lifestyle he craved for himself, so Daniel kept Melissa around for selfish reasons and Melissa worked to keep Daniel satisfied.

In the Summer of 2009, Melissa pawned a 10K gold ring and chain for about $37 and a Play Station 3 and games in July 2009 for $200; and since we know Daniel wanted to purchase marijuana in July and wasn&#8217;t able to afford it himself, perhaps Daniel told Melissa to pawn her and her children&#8217;s possessions so Daniel could purchase marijuana. However, it makes some people paranoid and since H&W were invading Daniel's privacy by visiting his home and sticking their nose in their business, smoking marijuana would make him more anxious and out of control. Marijuana is also known to cause an increase in appetite which explains why Melissa bought alot of food. From Daniel's perspective, it was all Melissa's fault H&W were involved in their lives in 2009. If only Melissa hadn't assaulted her youngest son and been convicted, H&W wouldn't be invading Daniel's space and causing him all this grief.

Welfare only covers the cost of prescribed drugs for those on assistance and this could be why Daniel had access to pills when he faked an overdose after Robert disappeared. It seems Daniel kept Melissa around to purchase his marijuana, food, and everything else he wanted such as cigarettes and take-out food; money she otherwise would have had to use to pay her rent if she lived somewhere else.

Since no one saw Ehrlick murder Robert or dump his body, the only evidence so far that suggests Robert died shortly after he ate breakfast on the 24th of July is the testimony provided by the pathologist who said he found oatmeal and raisins in his stomach during the autopsy. Jenkins' timecard shows she went to work at 3:22 p.m. and went home at 9:51 p.m. the day Robert Manwill was reported missing. A Guard told the defense attorney he saw two strange men on the property and they told him they lived there, but the guard never saw them again. According to Ehrlick, Robert snuck out to go to a birthday party after he was told to stay home so these two men could have snatched Robert if he left the home. No one in the neighborhood knew there was a birthday party being held that particular Friday night and according to the forensic pathologist, Robert died in the morning when Melissa was home. We don't know for certain where Daniel was but Robert told his mother he wasn't feeling well.
 
  • #67
  • #68
  • #69
  • #70
Bluesky, thank you so much for the updates. I will never forget Robert; just wanted you to know that I am grateful for the work you are doing to let us all know aboutnthe progress of the trial. Bless, too, the prosecutors, so carefully they are putting this case together to get justice for this dear boy who only wanted to be loved.
 
  • #71
I didn&#8217;t believe the case manager and case worker were being completely honest when they testified UNDER OATH at Ehrlick&#8217;s trial and after reading this article, I am convinced they both knew Robert was scheduled to visit his mother in the summer of 2009 because this ruling was made by the Court when Jenkins was convicted in 2008 for abusing her youngest son and both these workers admitted they were involved in that case; yet they both denied UNDER OATH that they knew Robert was coming to visit his mother. When Jenkins lost custody of Robert in 2008, she was allowed to have him for 7weeks over the summer and since this was Court ordered, these visits were mandatory and effectively immediately. It was very foolish of the Court IMO, not to ensure Robert&#8217;s visits were supervised by H&W workers because they determined Robert&#8217;s stepbrother was in "imminent danger" and Robert was only 8 years old and unable to defend himself.

The case manager told the Court Robert&#8217;s father had custody of Robert in the Fall of 2008 and they had no legal obligations towards him; whereas the truth is Melissa lost custody of Robert in 2008, his father was awarded custody of Robert and MJ was allowed to visit with Robert for 7 weeks during the summer beginning in July 2009.

The case worker said she visited the home in June 2009 and wasn&#8217;t aware Robert was visiting, yet she would know because she was involved in the case with Jenkins youngest son that Melissa had mandatory visits with Robert effective July 2009 and that he was scheduled to come.

<snipped>

&#8220;Jenkins had lost custody of Robert in 2008 but had visitation rights. Robert, who lived primarily with his father in New Plymouth,

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/7149c73b8d78439e8b3a0e5aad89509e/ID--Boy-Slain-Trial/

Next witness: Former Idaho Health and Welfare case manager. She did risk assessment work for the state. Ehrlick not baby boy&#8217;s bio dad although he said he was. Witness's job was investigating child abuse/neglect cases initially. If necessary, the case would go to a case worker.

Welfare worker: &#8220;I actually had no concerns when I supervised two visits with Ehrlick [Jenkins' infant son].&#8221;Witness was the risk assessment worker on case w/ Jenkins' infant son having skull fracture in 2008. He was declared in imminent danger. Never met Robert; knew his father had custody of Robert in Fall of 2008. Looks like things changed with Ehrlick in 2009. Witness now lives in Utah. Isn&#8217;t involved in Idaho Health and Welfare.

Next witness: Health and Welfare worker - case manager. Never met Manwill. Was involved in his brother&#8217;s case. Said Jenkins was not allowed to live with Ehrlick in spring 2009. Jenkins was living with Daniel&#8217;s father. Ehrlick got paternal rights of Robert&#8217;s step brother when father gave up rights. Made home visit in June 2009. Wasn&#8217;t aware Robert was living there visiting in the summer. Didn&#8217;t inspect the home. Talked to Ehrlick after Robert was reported missing and he said he was upset because he was supposed to be watching Robert. H&W didnt have legal custody of R. Manwill, his bio father did, so they didn't have legal rights/obligations to him, but would want to know about him. Jenkins admitted she hurt the baby boy and this witness said Danny always acted appropriate and took care of him.

http://twitter.com/#!/KTVBJamieGrey
 
  • #72
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare now plans external review in the Manwill case

An independent evaluation of its actions before the boy's slaying will come after the suspects are tried.

- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Richard Armstrong said last year that he was satisfied with an internal review completed shortly after 8-year-old Robert Manwill's death in July 2009.
But for the first time, the department said publicly Thursday it also will seek an independent review of its actions.
Department staff has said no written report has been produced and a more formal review would be conducted as information became available.
The department has repeatedly declined to release any findings from its internal reviews and never indicated an independent study was forthcoming.
"We said there would be another review," said department spokesman Tom Shanahan. "Whenever a child's death arises, there are internal reviews for sure, but now we are talking independent review."
Shanahan would not say when, or specifically why, the decision was made. Such decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and evolve over time, he said.
Armstrong told Health and Welfare board members Thursday that his department is holding off on the independent review until after court proceedings are completed for Robert's mother and her ex-boyfriend - Melissa Jenkins and Daniel Ehrlick.
Both are charged with first-degree murder. Jury selection in Ehrlick's trial begins next month.
Investigators for the department could taint witnesses before the trial, Armstrong said.
"After the case we have more perfect information," Armstrong said. "We've done this in other cases over the years. It's an efficient way to get information."
Armstrong's remarks were prompted by a question from Health and Welfare board member Quane Kenyon regarding an Aug. 15 Idaho Statesman report on the red flags missed by the state before Robert's death.

The story cited documents that show:
&#8226; Health and Welfare workers or contractors saw that Jenkins was living with Ehrlick and the couple's younger son despite a court order barring her from doing so.
&#8226; The case workers who visited the home failed to physically inspect Robert for signs of abuse.
&#8226; State welfare workers had received three previous reports regarding Jenkins and her family before removing Robert's infant brother from the home, which came after Jenkins was charged with fracturing his skull.

Because criminal cases are pending against Jenkins and Ehrlick, Armstrong told board members he would not comment on any details of the case.
"I don't want to jeopardize the ability of prosecutors to get a conviction in this case," Armstrong said.

Kathleen Kreller: 377-6418

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/08/20/1308825/hw-now-plans-external-review.html

Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/08/20/1308825/hw-now-plans-external-review.html#ixzz1ON6M253e
 
  • #73
pittsburghgirl said:
Bluesky, thank you so much for the updates. I will never forget Robert; just wanted you to know that I am grateful for the work you are doing to let us all know aboutnthe progress of the trial. Bless, too, the prosecutors, so carefully they are putting this case together to get justice for this dear boy who only wanted to be loved.
Click to expand...

Thank you pittsburghgirl. Thank God the baby was rescued in time but the chances he will be able to live a normal life are very slim.

I suspect the baby was abused again after it was returned to Melissa and Daniel and they punished the child in a way that wouldn’t leave any telltale signs on its body.

None of the child protection workers said they examined the baby during their visits to ensure he wasn’t being abused and believing they did would be naïve. (naïve means having or showing an excessively simple and trusting view of the world and human nature, often as a result of youth and inexperience. Showing a lack of critical judgment and analysis).

It could very well be that the case workers were all naïve and therefore not to blame for the outcome; however each unit in a child and family agency has a supervisor so IMO it is the case workers supervisor who is partly to blame for this tragedy. Often the Judge will request their opinion to assist them in making the best decisions in child custody and child abuse cases.

Alot can be gained from reviewing this particular case because it gives them an opportunity to see and learn what needs to be done to prevent these types of tragedies from reoccurring in the future, so I am happy knowing one is going to occur.
 
  • #74
Court is scheduled on Tuesday from 9 am-2 pm and Melissa Jenkins is expected to testify. One hundred witnesses are expected to have testified by Friday.

If you want to understand the enormous amount of pain Ehrlick inflicted upon Robert when he placed his knees upon him when he was in a deadbug position, place an object on your stomach. I have a 10-15 pound cat and whenever she lies on my stomach while I am in a supine position, (lying on my back), the pressure I feel in my lower back becomes intolerable within a few minutes and it is difficult for me to breathe. Ehrlick admitted he held his knees on Robert&#8217;s stomach when he was in a deadbug position and there were bruises found on his back.

The Court proceedings from Day 14 in Ehrlick&#8217;s Trial were posted in the link below and the following is my summary.

- BDP officer who took the Stand last Friday testified about the night Ehrlick reported Robert missing. The officer indicated the recording of Ehrlick and Jenkins conversations which was heard in Court last Friday was missing information.

- Robert Manwill&#8217;s father attends the trial everyday and the officer who responded to the missing person&#8217;s call and arrived at the scene said Robert&#8217;s father&#8217;s emotions were appropriate (concerned and angry) and he called a victims services worker to come and give him support. Sgt. says Jenkins & Erhlick were uncooperative: &#8220;Their answers were all over the place. They weren&#8217;t able to answer to help us find Robert.&#8221; Victims services coordinator says that night Ehrlick was concerned detectives were focusing on him and that he was the target of the investigation. Victim witness coordinator says she never dealt with Manwill's dad or his wife because "they never stopped looking for Robert".

- The note left for Robert Manwill telling him his mother and Daniel were out searching for him and to stay in the apartment was written by Melissa Jenkins.

- A witness at the apartment complex&#8217;s pool around 9 pm said she did not see Robert or anyone searching for him.

- Defense called this a 'lack of proof case' claiming Jenkins & Ehrlick were named suspects right from the get go and investigation just followed that theory. Defense claimed there is a lack of physical evidence since this is not a case with a lot of forensics.

- Today&#8217;s testimony focused primarily on fingerprints. Crime scene investigators removed and tested prints from a paper taped over hole in the wall, a wooden board/stick, a rock, and a sausage package. All 15 prints found on paper taped over the hole which pros. claim was caused when Ehrlick slammed Robert Manwill's head against it match Ehrlick's. Crime lab was unable to get print from board pros. say Ehrlick hit Manwill with or the rock pros. say Ehrlick put in the pockets of Manwill's pants in order to sink him in canal. Lab also unable to get prints except a detective's off sausage package pros. say Ehrlick planted to make it appear Manwill intended to attend a birthday party.

- BPD Detective who primarily handles juvenile crimes was called even though he was off-duty and not on call to Erhlick apt. around 1:00 am. Said when he arrived Jenkins opened door and Erhlick's immediate reaction was "Why are detectives here?"
Detective told Ehrlick he needed more information and he was looking for evidence of foul play. &#8220;At that point Ehrlick seemed concerned by our mere presence&#8221; and inconsistencies with Ehrlick&#8217;s story were apparent. Ehrlick told this detective he last saw Manwill @8 pm, told dispatcher 7 pm & Jenkins talked about him being missing
@7:30 pm. Detective recounts Ehrlick pointed out sausages in a bush next to apartment and said it was proof Manwill ran away. This was at 4:00 a.m. Det. said he touched sausages to see if they were cold and found they were even though it was hot that evening. Detective said he doesn't think the sausages were there during the initial search. Photos shown of Jimmy Dean sausage packages in the bush. Det. didn't think the sausages were significant but had it bagged. Det. says Ehrlick and Jenkins began referring to Robert Manwill in past tense. &#8220;Immediately the hair on the back of my neck stood up.&#8221;

Due to inconsistent stories, odd behavior & past tense statements from Ehrlick & Jenkins, Detective thought there was sufficient reason to suspect foul play. No one from BPD has said there was an exact moment of suspicion but all testified that things seemed odd that 1st night. Defense has often objected to "Pros&#8217;s repeated attempt to get every witness to say what they thought was unusual" to build their case and Defense objected saying these personal judgments are irrelevant. Judge disagrees and allowed the testimony stating it is relevant.

http://www.ktvb.com/news/crime/Live-updates-from-the-Daniel-Ehrlick-murder-trial-123227368.html
 
  • #75
  • #76
Kat said:
http://www.fox12idaho.com/story/14849870/police-suspected-foul-play-early-on-in-manwill-case

Posted: Jun 06, 2011 2:23 PM

Short article stating LE suspected foul play early into the investigation.
Click to expand...

Thanks Kat. Here is another great video and summary of today's Court proceedings.

I hope we get to see a video with Melissa Jenkins on the stand. She is expected to testify on Tuesday.

I learned by watching the video that Ehrlick told the detective Robert took the sausage patties with him because he planned to run away.

http://www.ktvb.com/news/Detectives...wills-death-from-the-beginning-123278333.html
 
  • #77
Justice fo Robert!
 
  • #78
  • #79
KTVB is streaming today's Court proceedings.

http://www.ktvb.com/live-stream

Melissa Jenkins will not be testifying today. Attorneys will argue a motion about her testimony on Monday.

The camera has been fixed on Daniel Ehrlick and he looked awfully upset. He began to cry and wipe his eyes with a tissue just before the morning recess.
 
  • #80
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