Texas Child Custody Case Ends In Toddler’s Death

A Texas child custody case in which a toddler was removed from her home and placed in foster care resulted in the child’s death. Officials with the Texas Department of Family Services removed Alexandria “Alex” Hill, a two-year-old girl, from her parents’ custody in 2013 after they found that her father had smoked marijuana in the home while the girl was asleep. The agency then placed Alex in a foster home, where her foster mother later admitted to the physical abuse that led to her death.

Marijuana And Texas Child Custody Cases

The Texas child custody case stemmed from an investigation into the girl’s parents’ living conditions. CPS officials feared for the girl’s safety after learning that Alex’s mother, Mary Sweeny, suffered from frequent seizures. During the investigation, Alex’s father Joe Hill revealed that he smoked marijuana at night after Alex went to sleep. Texas child custody case law prohibits children from living with a parent who engages in illegal drug use, so CPS stepped in and removed Alex from the home.

Poor Foster Home Conditions Spur Texas Child Custody Case

The first time officials in the Texas child custody case removed Alex, in early 2012, Mr. Hill noticed several problems during a routine home visit. He reported to CPS officials that Alex had several bruises and that her bag contained mold and mildew stains. Mr. Hill told CPS that he would dispute the Texas child custody case and refuse to allow them to place Alex in foster care until they found a more suitable environment. In 2013, CPS placed the child with foster mother Sherill Small.

Texas Child Custody Case Cites Numerous Violations

The investigators in the Texas child custody case relied on information from Texas Mentor, a private agency that refers foster homes to CPS officials. A report in the Dallas Morning News later revealed that foster homes approved by Texas Mentor had engaged in numerous violations, ranging from unclean and unsafe living conditions to physical and mental abuse of the children placed in their care.

Child’s Death Brings Scrutiny To Texas Child Custody Cases

The Texas child custody case came to a tragic end on July 29, 2013. Mr. Hill received a call that Alex was at Scott and White Children’s Hospital in Temple with severe injuries. Doctors had connected the little girl to life support equipment, as she had sustained severe head trauma and could not breathe on her own. CPS investigators into the Texas child custody case learned that Ms. Small had slammed the child onto the floor. They also later found out that Ms. Small was unemployed and used the money from the state to pay her bills. The investigation also revealed that the foster father, Clemon Small, was facing multiple charges for possession of marijuana.

Source: Houston Press

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