mom admits to child abuse - didn't take her meds for depression

[Guest guest]

" then allegedly admitted to abusing the child and said her failure to

take medication to treat depression prompted her actions. "

" ez did not say whether foster parents are allowed to receive

treatment for depression while caring for children, but did say the parents

'have to meet a set of criteria that makes them an appropriate foster

parent.' "

http://www.gallupindependent.com/2006/mar/031606fstrmom.html

mom admits to child abuse

Toddler suffers brain injury

By Wood

Staff Writer

GALLUP — An 18-month-old Gallup toddler is in critical condition at an

Albuquerque hospital from a head wound he allegedly sustained at the hands

of his 32-year-old foster mother.

Cleo , of 2808 Chamisal Space No. 39, was arraigned Wednesday morning in

magistrate court on two felony counts of child abuse after she reportedly

admitted to Gallup detective Reyes that she abused the child. The five

additional children under 's care have since been taken into state

custody pending the outcome of the investigation.

Investigator Toadlena-Pablo, a spokeswoman for the Gallup Police

Department, did not release the toddler's name, but said he was receiving

treatment at the Albuquerque hospital for a possible brain hemorrhage and

fluid inside his lungs.

By mid-afternoon on Wednesday, Toadlena-Pablo said the infant could remain

in a " vegetative " state and that he has sustained severe brain damage.

The toddler's birth parents have been notified of the situation and are

reportedly with the child at the hospital. If the toddler's condition

deteriorates, could face more serious criminal charges, which could

include murder.

Gallup police and EMS employees were called to 's residence at about 10

a.m. on Tuesday after the child stopped breathing.

According to court records, emergency personnel found the child barely

clothed and lying on the living room floor. He was allegedly unresponsive

and was later transported by helicopter to the Albuquerque hospital due to

the severity of his condition.

Toadlena-Pablo said was arrested after she provided detectives with

inconsistent accounts of what led to the toddler's injuries. then

allegedly admitted to abusing the child and said her failure to take

medication to treat depression prompted her actions.

initially told first responders that she found the toddler face down in

his bath water, according to reports. She then told CYFD officials she had

tripped while in the bathroom, which caused the child to bump his head on

the side of the tub. But after interviews with police, allegedly

admitted to abusing her foster child.

According to a statement of probable cause, continued to bathe the

toddler after he went " limp " like " Jell-O " and started to bleed from the

nose.

" She continued bathing the children. At this time Cleo stated that (the

toddler) was slipping into the water, " according to the statement. " She then

grabbed him by his neck using her hands to pull him back up and leaning him

against the wall of the tub. "

According to Toadlena-Pablo, Tuesday's incident was not the first time the

toddler had been treated at a local hospital. She said the toddler had been

transported to a local emergency room two week's earlier for treatment of a

possible head injury. allegedly admitted to abusing the child on both

occasions.

The local Children, Youth and Families Department forwarded a request for

comment about its supervision of the child and to CYFD's state office.

Deborah ez, a spokeswoman for the CYFD, said she could not discuss the

case, but that she is familiar with the incident.

" Our thoughts and prayers are with the child and the family, " ez said.

ez said potential foster parents undergo a screening process, which

includes a law enforcement background check, prior to placement. In addition

to the law enforcement check, CYFD uses its own program, entitled FACTS, to

screen potential foster parents for any allegations of neglect or abuse.

Potential parents are also required to undergo 27 hours of training prior to

placement. Their homes are also evaluated by licensed social workers, she

said.

During a person's term as a foster parent, he or she must also participate

in ongoing training and are subject to visits by CYFD staff.

" The safety of our foster kids is our number one concern, " ez said.

ez did not say whether foster parents are allowed to receive treatment

for depression while caring for children, but did say the parents " have to

meet a set of criteria that makes them an appropriate foster parent. "

She said if any allegations are made against a current foster parent, the

agency will automatically conduct an investigation into the claims. She did

not comment as to whether had been a target of an investigation.

Sixty-nine children reside in McKinley County foster homes, as of late

February. ez said the state is experiencing a shortage of foster

parents and the agency is always recruiting.

ez also said no rules are in place that limit the number of children a

foster parent can care for, but that CYFD officials consider the size of the

living space when making that determination.

is being held on a $25,000 cash only bond. Another McKinley County

foster parent was arrested last year after her foster child alleged she

stabbed her with a fork.

Attempts to contact 's family were unsuccessful.

Thursday

March 16, 2006