TN - Boy, 2, abandoned with note at Goodwill drop-off in Mississippi, 14 Dec 2020 *arrest*

[cuffem]

Completely agree. I think we need to make it easier for parents to relinquish their parental rights and foster parents to adopt the children they foster. We see so many cases of kids in and our of foster care because we give parents so many chances. If someone does not want to be parent, or cannot take care of a child, we should have a straightforward avenue like we do for adoption at birth.

Just jumping from your post. I am not talking about this case but some need to keep the child if under government aide programs. I tried to put this as respectful as possible so delete if needed and not bashing anyone receiving help. But I think this may be a factor in some not giving up children.

 

[dotr]

Two face charges after 2-year-old abandoned at Southaven Goodwill
''Correction:A previous version and headline of this story incorrectly stated two were federally indicted. In fact, the pair were federally charged with kidnapping in a criminal complaint.''

''Authorities said once Smith and Fitzgerald arrived in Nashville, Fitzgerald issued a demand; he told the child's mother she would have to work as a prostitute for him.

The mother of the boy refused, and Fitzgerald left the mother in Nashville, according to Dunavant's office. The mother tried to contact him repeatedly, but Fitzgerald reportedly ignored her calls.

Fitzgerald later told investigators that he sent Smith inside of a Nashville bar to sell drugs while he waited outside. An argument between the two over money led to Fitzgerald leaving the mother in Nashville, he said.''

After Fitzgerald left the Nashville area, he stopped in Brownsville on his way back to Memphis. His phone was dying, he told investigators, so he linked up with a friend in order to use her phone.

Fitzgerald spoke with Smith's sister, Ashley Smith. He told investigators that Ashley made threats; court documents did not elaborate on the nature of the threats.

Fitzgerald then asked Ashley Smith "if she had money for him", before telling her "he wasn't giving the child" back, according to the federal complaint.''

 

[cuffem]

Two face charges after 2-year-old abandoned at Southaven Goodwill
''Correction:A previous version and headline of this story incorrectly stated two were federally indicted. In fact, the pair were federally charged with kidnapping in a criminal complaint.''

''Authorities said once Smith and Fitzgerald arrived in Nashville, Fitzgerald issued a demand; he told the child's mother she would have to work as a prostitute for him.

The mother of the boy refused, and Fitzgerald left the mother in Nashville, according to Dunavant's office. The mother tried to contact him repeatedly, but Fitzgerald reportedly ignored her calls.

Fitzgerald later told investigators that he sent Smith inside of a Nashville bar to sell drugs while he waited outside. An argument between the two over money led to Fitzgerald leaving the mother in Nashville, he said.''

After Fitzgerald left the Nashville area, he stopped in Brownsville on his way back to Memphis. His phone was dying, he told investigators, so he linked up with a friend in order to use her phone.

Fitzgerald spoke with Smith's sister, Ashley Smith. He told investigators that Ashley made threats; court documents did not elaborate on the nature of the threats.

Fitzgerald then asked Ashley Smith "if she had money for him", before telling her "he wasn't giving the child" back, according to the federal complaint.''

Seems there are different stories to this, I hope LE can get the truth.

 

[borndem]

I want to put in a positive plug for foster parents here. We always hear the bad stuff. I have met some fantastic people who are foster parents, some are doing it for the money, but many truly care about children, and making a difference.

Hoping this little guy ends up in a great place for Christmas and has a wonderful life.

Completely agree. I think we need to make it easier for parents to relinquish their parental rights and foster parents to adopt the children they foster. We see so many cases of kids in and our of foster care because we give parents so many chances. If someone does not want to be parent, or cannot take care of a child, we should have a straightforward avenue like we do for adoption at birth.

I worked with a guy who, along with his wife and two kids, were fostering a young boy. My co-worker was a very fine individual, made a good salary, so they were not fostering for the money. His wife stayed at home. They had fostered several children prior to the one they had at the time, and they were in the process of adopting their current foster child.
So yes, I think many foster homes can be good places for kids to go. We don't usually hear the good stories about fostering, as you said above, @mickey2942. I hope to hear more!

 

[borndem]

Just jumping from your post. I am not talking about this case but some need to keep the child if under government aide programs. I tried to put this as respectful as possible so delete if needed and not bashing anyone receiving help. But I think this may be a factor in some not giving up children.

I do think it happens as you stated above, in some cases.
There was a situation in my home town where a young girl left her home where she had been physically and sexually abused, and she moved in with a friend. She was around 17 y/o, best I can remember, and she was pregnant. She was able to get AFDC benefits somehow after the baby came, and was able to move into a small apt. in subsidized housing. When her child started school, she got her GED, then went to the local community tech school, graduated, and got a good job and became a good tax-paying citizen and was able to help with things at her son's school and at their church. What a woman -- she did the only thing she knew to do when she left her home, she got a couple of breaks, and then she worked her butt off to do better for her, her son and my home town. I did not know her and never met her, but she must have been made of some strong, smart stuff. Her social worker told her story to the local newspaper -- but her name, etc., was changed in the story.
An amazing and inspirational story, but so, so many are not.

 

[Alethea]

I worked with a guy who, along with his wife and two kids, were fostering a young boy. My co-worker was a very fine individual, made a good salary, so they were not fostering for the money. His wife stayed at home. They had fostered several children prior to the one they had at the time, and they were in the process of adopting their current foster child.
So yes, I think many foster homes can be good places for kids to go. We don't usually hear the good stories about fostering, as you said above, @mickey2942. I hope to hear more!

I have a number of friends who are professionals (lawyers, accountants) and they are fostering with the aim of adopting children from foster care. It is definitely not about the money for them but rather about expanding their family and being able to help someone at the same time. It is something my husband and I talk about too and hope to do in the future.

 

[borndem]

I have a number of friends who are professionals (lawyers, accountants) and they are fostering with the aim of adopting children from foster care. It is definitely not about the money for them but rather about expanding their family and being able to help someone at the same time. It is something my husband and I talk about too and hope to do in the future.

Hoping that you, your husband, and some fortunate child will all be able to meet each other soon!
Fostering for all the right reasons is such a wonderful thing to do for a child and for the public at large.
A child's future can be turned around and made great by caring and able foster parents. Darkness into daylight.
Positive thoughts!

 

[Knox]

Completely agree. I think we need to make it easier for parents to relinquish their parental rights and foster parents to adopt the children they foster. We see so many cases of kids in and our of foster care because we give parents so many chances. If someone does not want to be parent, or cannot take care of a child, we should have a straightforward avenue like we do for adoption at birth.

I read the CA Court of Appeal unpublished opinions on juveniles from time to time. They are easily distinguished from other cases - all begin with "In re" and then the minor's initials. The cases are heartbreaking. Parents are given multiple opportunities for reunification services, when parental rights should have been terminated. I think this portion of the law nationwide needs an overhaul. Parental rights are trumping the safety and well being of our children.
Unpublished / Non-Citable Opinions - court_opinions with example - https://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/nonpub/A160259.PDF

 

[LaborDayRN]

she had traveled from Memphis to Nashville with a male acquaintance, leaving the child behind in Memphis with someone that she believed to be the man's sister. She said the man — whom she did not name — later revealed that the "sister" was actually his girlfriend.​

“If I knew that, I said I wouldn’t have left my baby like that," Smith said.
​

So she was fine leaving her baby with a stranger, as long as it was her acquaintances sister and not his girlfriend? Mom obviously didn’t know the woman from a hole in the wall, so why the hell would she leave her kid with her? I’m not sold on this story.

^^^THIS^^^

 

[Filly]

The Daily Mail has an interesting coverage of this.

It includes a post of mom going off on people calling her. I get that. It does give her Facebook name which is unique IMO.

Glad her little boy is seemingly OK. Moral of story don't leave your two year old with

 

[mickey2942]

Just jumping from your post. I am not talking about this case but some need to keep the child if under government aide programs. I tried to put this as respectful as possible so delete if needed and not bashing anyone receiving help. But I think this may be a factor in some not giving up children.

It is a huge factor. I taught Special Education for years, and know a lot about this situation. There are so many mind boggling stories, it just breaks your heart. They might be considered "off topic" for this story, and deleted though.

 

[Niner]

So... I have been following this little guy's story - do you want me to keep track of these 2 pieces of court hearings?

I can't access Federal courts over here - so if someone can help me - I shall keep track of this one.

 

[dotr]

Dec 18 2020 rbbm.
Two facing kidnapping charges in the case of toddler abandoned at Goodwill store - CNN
''According to the criminal complaint, Fitzgerald offered to have Turner, who was posing as his sister, babysit the boy while Fitzgerald and the child's mother went to Nashville on Sunday. Fitzgerald then demanded that the mother work for him as a prostitute. When she refused, he left her in Nashville and did not answer her repeated calls. Fitzgerald then spoke to the child's aunt, demanding money for the child's return, according to authorities. Turner was aware of the demand for money in exchange for the child, according to the complaint.''

''On Monday morning, Fitzgerald, Turner and an unknown person, drove the child across state line to Southaven, Mississippi, according to the complaint. They stopped at a gas station, and while Turner went inside, Fitzgerald took the child to a nearby Goodwill store and left him there. The complaint alleges that Turner knew the child had been left at the Goodwill.''

''They were both taken into custody and face a possible sentence of 20 years to life in federal prison with five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine, according to a release from the US Attorney's Office.
The case will be presented to a federal grand jury at a later date and additional federal charges may be added, authorities say.
Turner has a hearing scheduled for Friday, but no hearings have been listed for Fitzgerald so far, court records show.''

 

[mickey2942]

Dec 18 2020 rbbm.
Two facing kidnapping charges in the case of toddler abandoned at Goodwill store - CNN
''According to the criminal complaint, Fitzgerald offered to have Turner, who was posing as his sister, babysit the boy while Fitzgerald and the child's mother went to Nashville on Sunday. Fitzgerald then demanded that the mother work for him as a prostitute. When she refused, he left her in Nashville and did not answer her repeated calls. Fitzgerald then spoke to the child's aunt, demanding money for the child's return, according to authorities. Turner was aware of the demand for money in exchange for the child, according to the complaint.''

''On Monday morning, Fitzgerald, Turner and an unknown person, drove the child across state line to Southaven, Mississippi, according to the complaint. They stopped at a gas station, and while Turner went inside, Fitzgerald took the child to a nearby Goodwill store and left him there. The complaint alleges that Turner knew the child had been left at the Goodwill.''

''They were both taken into custody and face a possible sentence of 20 years to life in federal prison with five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine, according to a release from the US Attorney's Office.
The case will be presented to a federal grand jury at a later date and additional federal charges may be added, authorities say.
Turner has a hearing scheduled for Friday, but no hearings have been listed for Fitzgerald so far, court records show.''

I don't know the whole situation, but INMO, this is excessive.

 

[Niner]

Is this taking place in Tennessee or Mississippi?? Anyone know?

TIA!

 

[dalsglen]

Is this taking place in Tennessee or Mississippi?? Anyone know?

TIA!

as a brit , this blows my mind

 

[dotr]

Judge to decide bail on kidnap charge in abandoned boy case
Dec 20 2020 rbbm
''MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A federal judge could decide Monday whether a woman accused of abandoning a toddler in north Mississippi is granted bail.


Turliscea Turner appeared before a federal magistrate judge in Memphis, Tennessee, on Friday in an online hearing. At the request of Turner's attorney, who said he needed more time to speak to his client and develop evidence, Judge Annie T. Christoff continued the hearing until Monday.''

''No court appearance for Fitzgerald is scheduled in online records.''

 

[Niner]

Monday, Dec. 21st:
*Initial Hearing (@ am ET) – TN – Sergio (2) (Dec. 14, 2020, abandoned at Goodwill store in Southaven, MS) - *Jeremy Fitzgerald (34) & only for *Turliscea Turner (29) arrested (12/14/20) & charged (12/17/20) with federal kidnapping. Tennessee Federal court
Fitzgerald, turner & an unknown subject drove & transported the child across state boundary from Memphis to Southaven, MS. U.S. attorney Michael Dunavant’s office said the case would be presented to a grand jury, which could add more charges. If convicted, the defendants each face a possible sentence of 20 years & up to life in federal prison, 5 years to life of supervised release & a $250K fine. There is no parole in the federal system.
12/18/20 Update: Turner: Had initial court hearing on 12/18/20. No hearing set for Fitzgerald as of 12/19/20. 12/18/20 Update: Turner appeared before a federal magistrate judge in Memphis, Tennessee, on Friday in an online hearing. At the request of Turner's attorney, who said he needed more time to speak to his client & develop evidence, Judge Annie T. Christoff continued the hearing until Monday, 12/21/20.

 

[SassynOz]

I’m so confused. This mom isn’t innocent. If her story is true why did she not immediately report her son missing / kidnapped. It couldn’t of been a last a minute thing her leaving the boy with the woman since she brought extra clothes.
I think the mother thought she was this guys girl or something lead to believe that. Which is why she said she wouldn’t of left the kid with the woman had she known it was his GF rather then sister . Meaning “mom” was the gf so if this “ sister” wasn’t sister and gf well that wouldn’t of went well. She was leaving her kid with a total stranger , plus she was “tried to be put in prostitution “ then when refused and went on her way or what ever. Yet she didn’t report any of this to police. Maybe she owed money or whatever was scared to report the guy trying to turn her to prostitution . However when she now has her son missing with this dude she doesn’t report him missing.
Plus the aunt doesn’t report anything. I know the mom is a victim but I’m just wondering if there is any other report of this baby missing that aren’t linked to this exact case yet? I feel like half the story is missing. Maybe it’s just me I need to reread the thread.

 

[Tealgrove]

I don't know the whole situation, but INMO, this is excessive.

Not an American but I know that taking a child across state lines ramps things up severely. I'm guessing that's part of the equation.