Man accused of killing foster son to appear in court

Man accused of killing foster son to appear in court

By: Jim Martin, Photographer

By: Robin Murdoch, Reporter

Date created: 11/27/2007 7:22:20 PM

Last updated: 11/28/2007 8:58:19 AM

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=51766&provider=gnews

As the family of a teen killed in a Morristown foster home over the

weekend prepare to lay him to rest, the accused killer prepares for his

day in court.

Foster parent Ken Taylor, 53, faces arraignment on the reckless homicide

charge Wednesday morning. According to a police report, Taylor admitted

he choked 16-year old Jordan Shelton Saturday.

Tuesday evening, Shelton's family spent time at a Newport funeral home

visiting with the teen's friends who were preparing for a final goodbye.

He will be laid to rest Wednesday at the Stokely Chapel Cemetery

following a service at Manes Funeral Home.

Meanwhile, the Department of Children's Services has a special

investigative unit looking into Taylor's case.

"This is more than unfortunate. It's a very tragic incident, and we are

taking a really hard look at it," DCS spokesperson Rob Johnson said.

An autopsy on Monday revealed Shelton died from what looked like an arm

lock to the neck.

Taylor told police it happened when he was trying to discipline Shelton,

after he caught him smoking cigarettes.

Omni Visions, a contract provider for DCS, placed Shelton in Taylor's home.

"At this point right now, we don't see anything, although we certainly

are checking, we don't see anything that would have precluded this child

from going to this home," Johnson said.

Ten News found at least two cases of concern involving Omni Visions in

the last decade.

One dates back to the year 2000, when a 17-year-old girl died at a

Johnson City campground being used by Omni Visions.

Another case resulted in a lawsuit filed by a woman who was 12 years old

at the time.

She was placed in the foster care of a convicted pedophile and was

allegedly assaulted before being removed by Omni Visions.

"Omni has long been one of our top performers," Johnson said. "Whether

its DCS, Omni, or any other provider, there are stringent requirements

as to who can be a foster parent."

According to DCS, a thorough background check was done in the Taylor

case. He also attended hours of special training. Taylor has cared for

about a dozen foster kids over the years.

Other agencies that place children say looking into a potential foster

parent's past and present is always a top priority.

"Situations like you hear now, we are all working hard to avoid," said

Leah McRae of Bethany Christian Service. "That's why there's so many

background checks, interviews, questionnaires. It's an invasion, but

it's for the child's protection and the families' protection ultimately."

The Shelton family plans to attend Taylor's arraignment on Wednesday.

Shelton was an organ donor. According to his relatives, his heart went

to another 16-year-old boy, and his pancreas went to a 66-year old man.

CURRENTLY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES VIOLATES MORE CIVIL RIGHTS ON A

DAILY BASIS THEN ALL OTHER AGENCIES COMBINED INCLUDING THE NSA / CIA

WIRETAPPING PROGRAM....

CPS Does not protect children...

It is sickening how many children are subject to abuse, neglect and even

killed at the hands of Child Protective Services.

every parent should read this .pdf from

connecticut dcf watch...

http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com/8x11.pdf

http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com

Number of Cases per 100,000 children in the US

These numbers come from The National Center on

Child Abuse and Neglect in Washington. (NCCAN)

Recent numbers have increased significantly for CPS

Perpetrators of Maltreatment

Physical Abuse CPS 160, Parents 59

Sexual Abuse CPS 112, Parents 13

Neglect CPS 410, Parents 241

Medical Neglect CPS 14 Parents 12

Fatalities CPS 6.4, Parents 1.5

Imagine that, 6.4 children die at the hands of the very agencies that

are supposed to protect them and only 1.5 at the hands of parents per

100,000 children. CPS perpetrates more abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse

and kills more children then parents in the United States. If the

citizens of this country hold CPS to the same standards that they hold

parents too. No judge should ever put another child in the hands of ANY

government agency because CPS nationwide is guilty of more harm and

death than any human being combined. CPS nationwide is guilty of more

human rights violations and deaths of children then the homes from which

they were removed. When are the judges going to wake up and see that

they are sending children to their death and a life of abuse when

children are removed from safe homes based on the mere opinion of a

bunch of social workers.

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, HAPPILY DESTROYING THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT

FAMILIES YEARLY NATIONWIDE AND COMING TO YOU'RE HOME SOON...

BE SURE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR CANDIDATES STANDS ON THE ISSUE OF

REFORMING OR ABOLISHING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES ("MAKE YOUR CANDIDATES

TAKE A STAND ON THIS ISSUE.") THEN REMEMBER TO VOTE ACCORDINGLY IF THEY

ARE "FAMILY UNFRIENDLY" IN THE NEXT ELECTION...