Kaylara
January 10th, 2003, 07:44 PM
Caretaker captured in child-abuse case
Published in the Asbury Park Press 1/10/03
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEWARK -- A go-go dancer who was supposed to be caring for three young boys -- one of whom was found dead, the other two starving -- was arrested yesterday after a man she met on the street tipped police.
Authorities had looked as far as North Carolina for Sherry Murphy, 41, since Saturday, when two brothers were found starving and emaciated in her basement. The next day, authorities returned to the home and discovered the mummified body of the older boy's twin brother in a purple plastic storage bin.
The case ignited a furor over the state's Division of Family and Youth Services, which had investigated complaints about the family but closed the case last year.
A second state employee who handled the case of the three young brothers was suspended yesterday, said Human Services Commissioner Gwendolyn Harris. That action was taken as a result of the ongoing investigation of DYFS' handling of the case, Harris said.
The supervisor in charge of the case has already been suspended. Both suspensions are with pay, said Human Services Department spokeswoman Pam Ronan.
The two workers' names are not being released.
Murphy was arrested early yesterday as she slept in an Ellery Avenue apartment where Jean Claude Dessources had let her stay, Mayor Sharpe James said.
Dessources said Murphy had been crying and claimed her name was Michelle Williams when he saw her Monday near a go-go bar, James said. Murphy said she had just arrived from the South with no place to stay and asked if they could "chill together" for a while, James said.
Dessources let Murphy stay at his home. He saw news reports about the case and asked Murphy if she was the woman police were looking for, James said. Murphy denied it and turned off the TV news any time the story came on, saying it was too distressing to watch, James said.
On Wednesday, Dessources sent the woman to his cousin's apartment next door, then told police, "I believe the woman staying with me is the woman you're looking for," James said.
Dessources also told them he was interested in the $5,000 reward. Officials said they had not yet decided if he would get it.
Suspect in jail
Murphy was at the Essex County jail after being released from University Hospital last night. She had complained of lightheadedness and high blood pressure while being questioned, James said.
Authorities said she was likely to be arraigned today.
The two surviving boys, Raheem Williams, 7, and Tyrone Hill, 4, remained hospitalized yesterday in fair condition.
Funeral arrangements for Raheem's twin brother, Faheem Williams, who had been dead for more than a month when he was found, were not complete. His death has been ruled a homicide.
No one has been charged in his death, but Police Director Robert Rankin said yesterday that additional charges against Murphy were pending. He would not provide details.
Murphy had been caring for the boys since their mother, Melinda Williams, was jailed on assault charges in March. The women are cousins.
Melinda Williams, 31, told authorities she couldn't find Murphy or the children after she got out of jail last year. She was hit by a car Saturday while rushing to see the children and is hospitalized in critical condition.
Information ignored
DYFS had received 10 complaints about the family in the past 10 years, including substantiated reports that Williams left the children alone and didn't get proper medical treatment for them.
Authorities say at least one of the boys also was molested. A friend of Melinda Williams was arrested Wednesday and charged with sexual abuse.
But the case was closed in February 2002, the same time Williams was jailed for child endangerment stemming from a 1996 incident. She entrusted the boys to Murphy, who authorities say has a crack habit.
Human Services Department investigators found evidence that the two suspended DYFS employees did not follow proper procedures for reporting on and closing the case, department spokeswoman Ronan said. But she said more investigation is needed to determine if they are at fault.
Once that is done, Ronan said, a recommendation may made for further disciplinary action, including termination, which would entitle the workers to a hearing.
Harris said specific findings of the case review would be announced today.
Union officials could not be reached last night but said earlier that the suspended supervisor is "a wonderful woman" who is well respected by her colleagues.
Rebuffed by police?
In announcing Murphy's arrest yesterday, Newark's mayor said Dessources previously had found some police officers in neighboring Irvington and tried to tell them he knew where she was. But the officers, James said, told Dessources they were busy with other things and suggested he go tell police in Newark instead.
Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith said his department is investigating the claim.
"If he came here and our police department didn't respond to it, we'll deal with it," Smith said. "We're investigating it now, and if that was handled incorrectly, Mayor Smith will deal with that swiftly, trust me."
Smith also said his department deserves credit for working with Newark police on the investigation, including arresting the man charged with sexual abuse.
Found at:
http://www.app.com/app2001/story/0,21133,666842,00.html
A local radio station is asking for donations of toys, clothes, books, and other things for these children. They are asking for people who want to make a donation to write a letter to these children. I couldn't even imagine what this 4 and 7 year old have gone through, but perhaps the knowledge that people are not all horrible will help them through this. I am also asking for prayers and energy for these children.
The radio station's website is:
http://www.nj1015.com/personalities/carton-rossi.htm
Kaylara
Published in the Asbury Park Press 1/10/03
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEWARK -- A go-go dancer who was supposed to be caring for three young boys -- one of whom was found dead, the other two starving -- was arrested yesterday after a man she met on the street tipped police.
Authorities had looked as far as North Carolina for Sherry Murphy, 41, since Saturday, when two brothers were found starving and emaciated in her basement. The next day, authorities returned to the home and discovered the mummified body of the older boy's twin brother in a purple plastic storage bin.
The case ignited a furor over the state's Division of Family and Youth Services, which had investigated complaints about the family but closed the case last year.
A second state employee who handled the case of the three young brothers was suspended yesterday, said Human Services Commissioner Gwendolyn Harris. That action was taken as a result of the ongoing investigation of DYFS' handling of the case, Harris said.
The supervisor in charge of the case has already been suspended. Both suspensions are with pay, said Human Services Department spokeswoman Pam Ronan.
The two workers' names are not being released.
Murphy was arrested early yesterday as she slept in an Ellery Avenue apartment where Jean Claude Dessources had let her stay, Mayor Sharpe James said.
Dessources said Murphy had been crying and claimed her name was Michelle Williams when he saw her Monday near a go-go bar, James said. Murphy said she had just arrived from the South with no place to stay and asked if they could "chill together" for a while, James said.
Dessources let Murphy stay at his home. He saw news reports about the case and asked Murphy if she was the woman police were looking for, James said. Murphy denied it and turned off the TV news any time the story came on, saying it was too distressing to watch, James said.
On Wednesday, Dessources sent the woman to his cousin's apartment next door, then told police, "I believe the woman staying with me is the woman you're looking for," James said.
Dessources also told them he was interested in the $5,000 reward. Officials said they had not yet decided if he would get it.
Suspect in jail
Murphy was at the Essex County jail after being released from University Hospital last night. She had complained of lightheadedness and high blood pressure while being questioned, James said.
Authorities said she was likely to be arraigned today.
The two surviving boys, Raheem Williams, 7, and Tyrone Hill, 4, remained hospitalized yesterday in fair condition.
Funeral arrangements for Raheem's twin brother, Faheem Williams, who had been dead for more than a month when he was found, were not complete. His death has been ruled a homicide.
No one has been charged in his death, but Police Director Robert Rankin said yesterday that additional charges against Murphy were pending. He would not provide details.
Murphy had been caring for the boys since their mother, Melinda Williams, was jailed on assault charges in March. The women are cousins.
Melinda Williams, 31, told authorities she couldn't find Murphy or the children after she got out of jail last year. She was hit by a car Saturday while rushing to see the children and is hospitalized in critical condition.
Information ignored
DYFS had received 10 complaints about the family in the past 10 years, including substantiated reports that Williams left the children alone and didn't get proper medical treatment for them.
Authorities say at least one of the boys also was molested. A friend of Melinda Williams was arrested Wednesday and charged with sexual abuse.
But the case was closed in February 2002, the same time Williams was jailed for child endangerment stemming from a 1996 incident. She entrusted the boys to Murphy, who authorities say has a crack habit.
Human Services Department investigators found evidence that the two suspended DYFS employees did not follow proper procedures for reporting on and closing the case, department spokeswoman Ronan said. But she said more investigation is needed to determine if they are at fault.
Once that is done, Ronan said, a recommendation may made for further disciplinary action, including termination, which would entitle the workers to a hearing.
Harris said specific findings of the case review would be announced today.
Union officials could not be reached last night but said earlier that the suspended supervisor is "a wonderful woman" who is well respected by her colleagues.
Rebuffed by police?
In announcing Murphy's arrest yesterday, Newark's mayor said Dessources previously had found some police officers in neighboring Irvington and tried to tell them he knew where she was. But the officers, James said, told Dessources they were busy with other things and suggested he go tell police in Newark instead.
Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith said his department is investigating the claim.
"If he came here and our police department didn't respond to it, we'll deal with it," Smith said. "We're investigating it now, and if that was handled incorrectly, Mayor Smith will deal with that swiftly, trust me."
Smith also said his department deserves credit for working with Newark police on the investigation, including arresting the man charged with sexual abuse.
Found at:
http://www.app.com/app2001/story/0,21133,666842,00.html
A local radio station is asking for donations of toys, clothes, books, and other things for these children. They are asking for people who want to make a donation to write a letter to these children. I couldn't even imagine what this 4 and 7 year old have gone through, but perhaps the knowledge that people are not all horrible will help them through this. I am also asking for prayers and energy for these children.
The radio station's website is:
http://www.nj1015.com/personalities/carton-rossi.htm
Kaylara