2 Months, 0 Arrests in Death of Foster Child in Detroit

Detroit, MI - It has been 2 months since 2-year-old Isaac Lethbridge was found in a foster home in Detroit, bruised, burned, and not breathing. At the time, there were 9 people in the home, including his 4-year-old sister, yet no one has been arrested in connection with his death.

On August 16th, authorities received a phone call that a foster child wasn't breathing. Emergency crews arrived on the scene, where they tried to resuscitate him. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Children's Hospital of Michigan. At the time, physicians noted bruising and burns on his body.

Investigators removed a clothes iron and other evidence from the home while social workers removed several foster and adopted children, including his sister.

An autopsy was conducted, and cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt force trauma and burns. He had a broken clavicle, burns to 80% of his chest and abdomen, and blunt force injuries to his head and abdomen. It was determined to be a homicide.

Charlise Rogers-Adams, the foster mother, was home at the time but reported no incidents and didn't know how the injury occurred. Answers have not been forthcoming in the case. Ms. Rogers-Adams allegedly has a history of child abuse stemming back to 1999 and is now in hearings fighting against termination in regards to the children she adopted out of foster care.

Isaac's parents have expressed frustration at the lack of a response or potential arrests in connection with their son's murder. Mr. Lethbridge is quoted as saying, "If this had happened in our home, you can bet we'd be in jail right now..."

The Lethbridges held their son's services exactly 6 months after their services for their daughter, who died of natural causes in adoptive placement. For them, the pain is in waiting for someone to be held accountable.

The Lula Belle Stewart Center has had their license suspended in connection with Isaac's murder and their mismanagement of the case. Persons at Lula Belle have refused to comment, but they are fighting the suspension of their foster care license. So far, a state has found multiple serious violations in regards to Lula Belle's handling of cases.