GUILTY FL - Angeliah Duncan, 11 mos, shaken to death, Hollywood, 12 June 2009

Broward child-abuse investigators had no concerns for a baby's safety after she suffered two head injuries, according to records.

The first time Angeliah Duncan was rushed to the hospital with a head injury, her mother said she fell off a bed. Child welfare authorities in Broward County suggested the mother seek parenting classes.

The next time Angeliah was in the hospital, her mom said she accidentally banged the infant's head on a dresser. Authorities' response to mom: Enroll in parenting classes.

No one suggested parenting classes on June 12, when Angeliah was once again rushed to the hospital -- this time with a severe head injury doctors believed resulted from a violent shaking. Angeliah died three days later -- less than three weeks before her first birthday.

On Monday, Hollywood police charged Cecil O. Weekes, 39, the boyfriend of Angeliah's mother, with murder. In a sworn statement, detectives say Weekes admitted he shook the little girl to make her quiet down. ``He said, `just stop [expletive] crying,' '' the affidavit states.

Angeliah was baptized the day before she died, a Sunday, records say. Her organs were harvested for transplantation.

In Broward County, the Broward Sheriff's Office conducts all child-abuse investigations for the state under contract with the state Department of Children & Families. On Tuesday, DCF quickly released all its records on Angeliah in response to a public-records request by The Miami Herald.

Veda Coleman-Wright, a spokeswoman for the BSO, defended the department's handling of the case, saying both the child's doctors and the state Department of Health's Child Protection Team in Broward, which examines children for signs of abuse, found no evidence that Angeliah's previous head injuries resulted from physical abuse.

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daisy7 said:

(snipped)

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southflorida/story/1171639.html

How many cases are we gonna see like this before we have a much-needed overhaul of the protection system? And, it's another boyfriend of the Mom!!:furious:

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Lyn1001 said:

In the article it stated that the doctors did not believe the previous head injuries to be signs of abuse (which in and of itself irks me considering the circumstances). Unfortunately, at least in cases I've had better knowledge of, if the doctors says there are no signs of abuse, the court usually won't authorize removal of the child. In the courts eyes, the doctors know best, and if there are no signs of abuse, then CPS is wanting to remove the child with no reason and should provide the parent with services before considering removal of the child.

Now, I don't know if that is truely the case with this incident. Just going on what was stated in the article and what I know about the system. If it turns out the doctors did indicate abuse, or CPS didn't even ask, then I'll be very upset with CPS. If it turns out the doctors honestly said the injuries weren't caused by abuse, then I'll be upset with the doctors!!

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CHICANA said:

If the doctors didn't think it was possibly a case of abuse, who called CPS ?

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Salem said:

My understanding from following another case is that many doctors are NOT TRAINED to recognize the signs of abuse. This goes for many pediatricians. So, if abuse is suspected or the child has had 3 injuries before a certain age, CPS should be calling in a TRAINED DOCTOR to exam the child.

In fact, I think we should pass laws that say all pediatricians and General Practitioners HAVE TO HAVE child abuse training. Doctors really are the first window into a child's life - they see the child for baby checkups, etc. They know when the child is not thriving or if the parents appear careless. Baby doctors really need to be trained to spot the signs of abuse or potential abuse.

Salem

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The Broward Sheriff’s Office, which conducts child abuse investigations under contract with DCF, referred Rodriguez to parenting classes and counseling. Rodriguez was just clearing a waiting list when... her boyfriend shook Angeliah so violently her brain bled. She died less than three weeks before her first birthday...

Weekes, who was convicted of second-degree murder, told police the “baby was immediately lifeless, and he thought her neck was broken.”

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