DYFS in New Jersey Settles for $7.5 Million
Negligence Claimed in Civil Suit
DYFS was sued by family of the boys, who claimed that the agency had failed to do its job protecting the children. The mother had had several prior complaints filed with DYFS but the department found them unsubstantiated. The family claimed that's what led to Faheem's eventual death. His brothers are doing fine now that they are out of that environment.
This is not the first time they have been sued, nor the biggest settlement. Last year, the state agreed to pay $12.5 million to 4 brothers from Collingswood whse adoptive mother deprived them of food and medical care. She was eventually found guilty.
Experts state that the settlement was a way for the department to avoid potentially embarassing trials. The payouts of the settlements came from a tort claims fund that all departments are required to have. It is at least partially self-insured by the state, according to Treasury officials.
Faheem's estate reportedly received $1 million under the terms of the settlement and the brothers were each awarded the rest.
According to lawyers, the case hasn't been fully resolved in spite of the settlement because there is a dispute over legal fees.
More importantly, Melinda Williams, the boys' mother, could share in the money. Though she was responsible at least in some part for the death of Faheem, in spite of the fact that her older cousin's son allegedly killed the boy accidentally, her rights have not been terminated.
The state tried to terminate her rights retroactively after his death to prevent her from profiting from it, but have yet to do so, so the money will remain in probate court until there is a resolution of her case.
Ms. Williams' cousin, Sherry Murphy, is serving 25 years on aggravated assault, criminal restraint, and child endangerment convictions. Her son served his time for reckless manslaughter in the death of Faheem. According to prosecutors, Williams, a heavy party-goer, would leave her children in the care of her older cousin while she frequented local bars and clubs.
The children are still visited by another cousin, and he says they are doing well and he hopes to adopt them some day. They are currently living with a foster family in New Jersey that has one other child.
Published by Liz Copeland
I'm a freelance writer, DMC mentor, and artisan-level embroiderer. I knit, crochet, sew, quilt, and spin my own yarn as well. I'm an instructor for embroidery and other fiber and textile related crafts. View profile
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12 Comments
Post a CommentI have trying to get help for my son for six years. I called DYFS over six years reported what my son was telling me about being sexually abused, physically abused, and mentally abused by his father , they did nothing. I was in violation of court order to return my son back to the father after my son refused to see his father. I would no longer tell my son that its ok for him to go to his father's and supported my son's decision . DYFS came and took my son from me and said that I am the one who abused my son. I NEED AN ATTORNEY WHO WILL FIGHT FOR ME AND MY SON
i am organizing a protest on dyfs in trenton if you want to join in this please call 973-362-6703 this will be happening in the next 2 weeks
i am organizing a protest on dyfs in trenton if you want to join in this please call 973-362-6703 this will be happening in the next 2 weeks
I have to say that I have a problem with the fact that you bring up the fact that the natural mother lives in the ghetto while you live in the suburbs, as though that makes you a better placement. I find the entire attitude that poor people shouldn't have children unless they 'behave' offensive. That said, DYFS is continually negligent on all sides of child protection, so it's no surprise if she is in fact putting the children in danger. Aren't foster parents supposed to keep a somewhat professional distance because children are typically supposed to be returned to their natural parents?
dyfs is neglegent. we fostered the 5th & 6th children to be taken away from their convict/druggie mother from the time they were born. these innocent babies were given back to her boyfriend after she got out of prison (he couldn't handle them while she was in there)and she lives with him. these babies have been with these losers for 3 months and have already had skin infections;burns;(from an iron of course) ;exposure to a huge peice of broken glass in an entertainment center at the babies eye level and went from a beautiful house in suburbs to ghetto and now their mother is using again. she is mentally ill and "the judge" said she shouldn't be left alone with them but she is. the emergency # at dyfs was notified and those babies are still with her,the ghetto, and that piece of broken glass. we get to visit with them when we can give her money. aren't they supposed to be randomly testing her? she's not even supposed to be drinking, but she is- what do they do about that? she stole food
dyfs is neglegent. we fostered the 5th %26 6th children to be taken away from their convict%2Fdruggie mother from the time they were born. these innocent babies were given back to her boyfriend after she got out of prison %28he couldn%27t handle them while she was in there%29and she lives with him. these babies have been with these losers for 3 months and have already had skin infections%3B burns %28from an iron of course%29%3B exposure to a huge peice of broken glass in an entertainment center at the babies eye level%3B went from beautiful house in suburbs to ghetto%3B and now their mother is using again. she%27s mentally ill and %22the judge%22 said she shouldn%27t be left alone with them but she is. the emergency %23 at dyfs was notified and those babies are still with her%2C the ghetto%2C and that peice of broken glass. we get to visit with them when we can give her money. aren%27t they supposed to be randomly testing her%3F she%27s not even supposed to be drinking%2C but she is- w
In our stat.Dyfs asts first and back track later.For good parents like us whos kid was pissed off.It puts us in hell.
My 2 boys were just taken by DYFS wed 4-8-09 after my older son who was pissed at his dad for punishing him went to school and stated he just wanted to talk to someone becasue he was mad.He spoke to his counslor at school who stated he can just vent to him.THe counselor called DYFS and I cam e hom to hell.My boys cry everyday.My oldest blaims himself and my youngest hates them and stated they lied on him after only talking to him for a few min and sending him to class.Tell your kids to vent to friends if they are mad becasue the schoold counsleor told my son "OH your parents are abusing you.We read the reports filed by DYFS at counrt this week and they lied their asses off.My kids are screaming they did not say these things but as of today no one has called or talked to them from Dyfs.The worker who took them told them they willbe home soon and left them since last week 4-8-09.My kids have not heard from them since.I just heard from them today.We are good parents.We punish them when ne
The "NJ Amistad Kids" should've been a call for criminal trials of DYFS, the AME Zion Church, Jeffery Allen, a PD for the Church where children are routinely sold into sex salvery market called the "NY Amistad KIDS, The present lawsuit is before the Federal Court--People wake up--it is happening still in American--slavery !
DYFS is a gestapo organization who's only goal is make a parent's life hell. They can't see the forest for the trees, and because of moronic case workers creating situations like this, they now violate the 4th admendment, harass parents, and can steal your kids. Don't think so? If you have kids, and you piss your neighbor off, they can call DYFS and claim you're doing drugs, and BANG! They're at your door with the power of the state behind them, and off they go with your kids.
Screw DYFS.