Florida's Child - Fatal Deception or Social Blindness?
Having had a personal opportunity to speak with Ms. Liles after
all this time, she shared `Florida's Child' - Bradley McGee's
life story with me. In her heartfelt words, she explained how
she still advocates child abuse prevention, and still follows
the case of Sheryl Coe, Bradley's biological mother. Today, we
revisit Bradley's brief time on earth:
Most of you didn't know him. Most of you may never have heard of
him. He was an innocent toddler, just a little over 2 years old.
He wore the face of many a child. Bradley, fondly known as
`Braddie' to his foster mom, (Kip Liles), also bore the fatal
scars of abused & neglected children everywhere.
His story begins nearly two decades ago. At the very tender age
of just four months, Braddie was abandoned in a shopping mall
(by his biological mother). Fortunately, an on-duty pretzel
vendor took him to a local hospital where Braddie was quickly
introduced to the `system' of governmental child supervision.
After living in a safe foster home for nearly two years, the
`system' sent little Braddie back to his biological mother and
stepfather. In merely 66 days after reintroduction into his
original home, Bradley's life tragically came to an end (by the
hands of his parents). Did Bradley become the sorrowful product
of a poorly constructed childcare system?
Bradley McGee, sadly, like many other abused & neglected
children are often returned to their biological families only to
find ill-fated tragedy awaiting them. In Bradley's case,
countless pleas fell on deaf ears prior to his horrific murder
in 1989. A number of persons, especially Ms. Liles, made several
attempts to have Bradley removed from his neglectful home, all
to no avail.
Upon his return, little Bradley incurred insurmountable, and
brutal physical abuse. Beating after beating, his abusers
finally took his small, innocent life by dangling Bradley by his
ankles and repeatedly plunging his head into a toilet bowl. When
they finally retrieved the battered tot from the bathroom, they
continued their torture by placing him in a cold shower to quiet
his screams, and then beat him (with pillows) until his small
body curled up into a fetal position. What was their reason for
his fatal beating? He had soiled his pants. In the end, Bradley
purportedly ended up on a life-support machine where he died
alone.
Bradley's mother (Sheryl Coe) had repeatedly mocked child
welfare workers in the past by `hiding' when they (caseworkers)
arrived at their mobile home to check on Bradley. [It is my
personal opinion and review of said case, that logically, at
some point, caseworkers should have made an effort to attain a
warrant to enter the premises.] Psychologists who interviewed
the Coes found that they were `immature and explosive.' How
could a judge rule in favor of them (Sheryl & Thomas Coe) with
this afore knowledge? The reason for the ruling was because
psychological documents were never introduced into the hearing -
a slight oversight?
Upon jury-trial commencement, Thomas Coe was sentenced to life
in prison and Sheryl Coe was sentenced to 30 years; however, Ms.
Coe was released after 9 years of time served. To date, she is
again in the clutches of yet another court battle to retrieve
another biological son in foster care.
Bradley is still remembered by Kip Liles (former foster mother),
neighbors and by those who watched live news reports as the
incredible drama unfolded on television. While I lived in
Florida at the time, Bradley's story tugged at my heartstrings
and resides in my thoughts forever. His story, like so many,
needed to be told and retold until no child is left to the
wayside.
Below are some alarming statistics and information on Child
Abuse & Neglect cases in the United States alone:
According to the US Department of Health & Human Services,
Administration for Children & Families, 2.6 million reports of
child abuse or neglect were filed on 4.5 million children, of
which 896,000 cases were substantiated in 2002 alone. In other
words, a little over 12 children per 1,000 became victims of
abuse or neglect by legal standards.1 But what substantiates
abuse or neglect?
In a report by the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and
Neglect Information, over 40 percent of allegations are made by
friends, neighbors and relatives. Sixty-one percent of all
reports were found to be unsubstantiated, 30 percent of all
reports included at least one victim of child abuse or neglect,
and remaining reports were closed for other reasons. In 2002,
1,400 children died due to abuse or neglect. Infant boys were
found to have the highest rate of fatalities - 19 per 100,000.
Incredibly, nearly 1/5 of child victims had been placed in
foster care at some point in time. 2
According to ChildHelp USA, `...homicide is the leading cause
of injury deaths among infants (under one year of age) in the
United States.' Furthermore, ChildHelp USA reports that
'...the actual incidence of abuse and neglect is estimated to
be three times greater than the number reported to
authorities.'3
ChildHelp USA lists common indicators displayed in child
abuse or neglect victims in their following list:
PHYSICAL ABUSE 1. Unexplained burns, cuts, bruises, or welts
in the shape of an object 2. Bite marks 3. Anti-social behavior
4. Problems in school 5. Fear of adults
EMOTIONAL ABUSE 1. Apathy 2. Depression 3. Hostility or
stress 4. Lack of concentration 5. Eating disorders
SEXUAL ABUSE 1. Inappropriate interest or knowledge of
sexual acts 2. Nightmares and bed wetting 3. Drastic changes in
appetite 4. Overcompliance or excessive aggression 5. Fear of a
particular person or family member
NEGLECT 1. Unsuitable clothing for weather 2. Dirty or
unbathed 3. Extreme hunger 4. Apparent lack of supervision
In addition, the Humane Society of the United States found an
interesting connection between child abuse & neglect with pet
owners displaying similar characteristics. According to a 1997
survey administered to 50 of the largest shelters for battered
women made a discovery that 85 percent of women and 63 percent
of children who entered shelters admitted to pet abuse/neglect
incidents in the family. The Humane Society of the United States
advocates awareness to responders to (of family violence or
neglect) of this animal abuse/neglect connection to human
counterparts.4
Statistically speaking, information provided by multiple child
welfare organizations may lend hindsight to an ever-growing
epidemic of child abuse and neglect in these United States.
Though `hindsight' may be 20/20, it cannot reclaim the countless
lives lost in cases like that of Bradley McGee. Was his case
just a freak oversight or are there multiple cases like his that
have received identical inattentiveness?
Based on findings, 4.5 million children were purportedly
referred to child welfare services for possible abuse - only
896,000 cases were `substantiated.' Does this mean that over 3
million cases were all completely false? Or are there several
more Sheryl Coes who hide when social services pays a visit?
Rationally, one would assume after all the `substantiated' cases
of child abuse and neglect reports, that governmental agencies
would meticulously review said statistics and actual
representations of abuse/neglect cases. Furthermore, since there
are multiple, annual deaths involving child abuse and neglect,
it would seem beneficial for child welfare workers to have legal
authority to enter a premises with or without notice, and/or
permission to review infant or child environment.
Again, I reflect on a preventable death that occurred nearly 20
years ago - Bradley McGee. His life...and death did make a
difference, and society cannot allow it to be in vain. If you or
someone you know suspects child abuse or neglect, don't stand
silent. Don't wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow may be too late. If
you are a child welfare worker, remember this story well. It may
just mean the difference between the life and death of a child.
For a listing of local state agencies, please visit: www.childhelpusa.org/report_local.htm
For further reading on Bradley McGee, see:
Braddie's Story
Braddie's Pictures
For the Ones I Left Behind - Painting dedicated
to Bradley McGee
For the Ones I Left Behind - Poem dedicated to
Bradley McGee