New Jersey Couple Is Accused of Abusing, Neglecting Four Adopted Sons
The Associated Press
Published: Oct 25, 2003
New Jersey Couple Accused of Starving Four Adopted Children
CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) - A couple whose adopted teenage sons weighed less than 50 pounds have been arrested on charges of starving four boys they adopted through the state Division of Youth and Family Services, New Jersey's troubled child welfare agency.
Vanessa Jackson, 48, and Raymond Jackson, 50, were arrested Friday and charged with four counts each of aggravated assault and 14 counts of child endangerment, Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi said.
Each was jailed Saturday on $100,000 bail.
An investigation into the family began Oct. 10 after neighbors in the Philadelphia suburb of Collingswood called police to report someone rummaging through their trash. Officers then found the oldest adopted child, now 19.
The young man, who was adopted in December 1995, measured 4 feet and weighed 45 pounds when he was discovered.
(Y'all he was 19 years old and weighed 45 lbs 
) He is now in the hospital receiving specialized care for apparent heart irregularities and retarded hormonal development.
The three other boys, ages 14, 10, and 9, also were removed from the home and hospitalized. They were treated and released into other foster placements, authorities said.
The 14-year-old - weighing 40 pounds and standing 4 feet tall - also suffered from retarded hormonal development. The 10- and 9-year-olds also were dramatically underweight, according to the prosecutor's office.
Authorities said the three younger boys were adopted in 1996 and 1997.
Two adopted girls, ages 5 and 12, also were living in the Jacksons' home. They were placed in foster care, along with a 10-year-old girl who was in the Jacksons' home pending adoption.
The girls' physical condition "appeared to be within normal range," the prosecutor said.
The state Department of Human Services suspended five employees, including caseworkers, a manager, and supervisors, pending the outcome of the investigation, said Micah Rasmussen, a spokesman for Gov. James E. McGreevey.
Rasmussen said McGreevey was "angered and shocked" by another discovery of neglected children under DYFS oversight. The governor called on Kevin Ryan, his newly appointed state child advocate, to assess the case.
Officials at DYFS could not be reached for comment Saturday.
The Jacksons adopted the children through DYFS and were receiving a stipend from the state, which peaked at about $28,000 a year before the oldest child turned 18 last year, according to Camden County Prosecutor's Office.
The investigation found that the children were home-schooled and kept mostly at home, authorities said. None had seen a doctor in about five years, authorities said.
Authorities also said the home where the children lived had no electricity for four months and went without gas service for a month.
The discovery of the children follows several high-profile abuse cases that revealed lapses in state oversight.
The most notable occurred in January in Newark. State caseworkers had investigated some abuse complaints involving Faheem Williams, but his file was closed 11 months before his body was found in a locked basement, along with his two starving brothers.
McGreevey has since ordered reform measures to the state's child welfare agency.
AP-ES-10-25-03 2046EDT
~This morning when I saw this on Good Mornign America, they added up the weight of all four boys and it totaled 134 lbs!
She needs to spend a few moments with my mother.....who will BEAT that AZZZ.....
More news about SICK parents
Parents Beat Daughter to Death With Umbrella
Hybrid Mode
