TX - Baby girl, 5 mos, died in foster home, Forney, Kaufman County, 29 Dec 2018

[cybervampira]

Arrest made in death of 5-month-old Forney foster child

The Kaufman County Sheriff's Office and Texas Rangers arrested Natalie Parker, 37, of Forney Monday after Parker surrendered herself at the sheriff's office in connection with the December death of a 5-month-old in her foster care.

According to the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office, Parker was charged with Tampering with Witness, Injury to Child (both second degree felonies) and Abandoning or Endangering a Child (a state jail felony).

On Dec. 29, 2018, Kaufman County deputies received a 911 call from Parker's house in the 2000 block of Chisholm Trail in Forney reporting an unresponsive infant. When the deputies and EMS arrived, they found that the 5-month-old girl was already dead.

Deputies determined Parker was the baby's foster parent, and was also the foster parent to five other children, one of which is the dead girl's brother. The remaining foster children have been placed in other homes.

Parker's 19-year-old son Christian Richmond also lived at the house with them. Richmond was arrested on child charges on Jan. 3 and posted a $15,000 bond on Jan. 4. Officials say they don't believe the child charges are related to the baby's death

Child charges for man living where CPS foster child died

New Developments in Child Safety Cases in Kaufman, Collin Counties

19-year-old in Kaufman County foster home arrested for child

Arrest Made After 5-Month-Old Child Dies in Foster Home

 

[Forpsy]

Well, the child charges may not be related but it sure doesn't make this place look like a good place for foster children.

 

[cybervampira]

Baby's death leads to foster mother's arrest and more scrutiny for Texas care system

A Dallas-area foster mother has been charged with child endangerment in the death of an infant in her care, a case that raises questions as to whether state officials have done enough to improve the safety of foster children.

It comes three months after federal judges blasted Texas officials for being “deliberately indifferent” to systemic threats to the safety of foster children.

The infant, 5-month-old Elizabeth Henson, was found unresponsive and turning purple the morning of Dec. 29. Natalie Parker — a verified foster parent since March 2017 — is charged with abandoning or endangering a child, injury to a child and witness tampering.

Parker is accused of leaving five foster children in her home in Forney with her 19-year-old son the night before the infant’s death, though she’s the only authorized caregiver, according to arrest warrant affidavits filed by the Texas Rangers. During the investigation, child was found on the son’s cellphone, according to the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office.

[...]

 

[Forpsy]

Geez

 

[YESorNO]

Foster child death ruled accident, foster mother remains in custody

Feb 13, 2019

"FORNEY, Texas — The autopsy of infant foster child Elizabeth Henson, who was found unresponsive at her foster home on December 29, has been ruled an accident.

Dallas County Medical Examiner’s office has determined the 5-month-old official cause of death as “asphyxia due to wedging.” A term to describe when someone suffocates from either lying face down or being lodged between a sleeping partner or surface. The official autopsy report was released to Kaufman County authorities late last week sources confirmed.

Henson’s foster mother, 37-year-old Natalie Parker surrendered to the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office on January 7 on felony charges for tampering with a witness, injury to a child, and abandoning or endangering a child in connection with the death....

Parker remains in custody at the Kaufman county jail on bonds totaling $195,000 where she awaits her first court hearing. The district attorney’s office says they cannot confirm whether any additional charges would be forthcoming...."

Foster child death ruled accident, foster mother remains in custody
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State terminates child placing agency connected with infant death

Feb 18, 2019

"FORNEY, Texas — The agency responsible for placing a child in CPS custody who died in a Forney foster home on December 29, has had their contract with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) terminated permanently.

Kingdom Kids Child Placing Agency was responsible for placement of baby Elizabeth Henson and her older brother in the home of Natalie Parker in Forney, after they were taken into Denton County CPS custody in July 2018.

Kingdom Kids Child Placing agency was a licensed agency contracted to place children in the CPS system into foster homes. ...
In the case of baby Elizabeth, her foster mother had a previous criminal history that should have exclusively excluded her from being a foster parent....

Dallas County Medical Examiner’s office determined the 5-month-old official cause of death as “asphyxia due to wedging.” A term to describe when someone suffocates from either lying face down or being lodged between a sleeping partner or surface.

37-year-old Parker surrendered to sheriff's deputies January 7 on felony charges for tampering with a witness, injury to a child, and abandoning or endangering a child. Parker remains in custody at the Kaufman county jail on bonds totaling $195,000 awaiting trial."

State terminates child placing agency connected with infant death