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8/14/2019 H L.j),.,..'.:..".n...' Childh'''/'' f.htlilit...
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H L.j),.,..'.:..".n...'Childh'''/'' f.HTlilit...,
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State of Florida
Department of Children and Families
Charlie CristGovernor
George H.SheldonSecretary
Steve Holmes
Regional Director
Dedrick Review (Initial)
Alleged Victim: Shannon Lee Dedrick
Date of Birth: March 11, 2009
Alleged Perpetrator: Crystina Lynn Mercer (mother)
James Dedrick (father)
Other Household Members:
Purpose of Review
The purpose of this review is to determine the prior involvement the Department of Children and
Families has had on the above subjects, specifically the alleged victim, and the adequacy of actions
taken to ensure child safety, provide the family with needed services, ensure engagement and
cooperation of services, and to determine if the appropriate level of risk and safety was made by the
Department.
The review is based on information obtained via Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN).
Prior Investigation2009-049087
On March 23, 2009, the Florida Abuse Hotline accepted a call concerning substance misuse by the
mot~ynn Mercer, father, James Dedrick, and other household members ~and The alleged victim was twelve day old, Shannon Lee Dedrick. The allegatIOnsare as follows:
"Mom is emotionally handicapped, suffers from ADHD, and is bipolar. All the adults in the
home are smoking marijuana and cigarettes around Shannon. Mom was told at the hospital
not to smoke around Shannon because she couldn't take it. Mom is always looking for
places to dump Shannon off."
Supplemental allegations were made on the same day, March 23, 2009.
"The four adults in the home smoke a lot of marijuana and cigarettes. The mother used
marijuana during her pregnancy with Shannon. 2 weeks ago, the home was thick withCircuit14,
500West 11thStreet,PanamaCity,Florida32401
Mission: Protect the Vulnerable, Promote Strong and Economically Self-Sufficient Families, andAdvance Personal and Family Recovery and Resiliency
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cigarette smoke. The mother pawns Shannon off on anybody she finds to care for Shannon.
The mother allows the mentally challenged individuals in the home to care for Shannon. Itis unknown if the individuals in the home are mentally challenged enough to the point that
they can't care for a child. The mother has left Shannon with the father's sister who has
seizures and uses marijuana/pills."
March 24.2009
Child Protective Investigator (CPI) Mylisa Fuelner and CPI Jennifer Renfro responded to the home
to address the allegations of substance misuse. All adults denied smoking marijuana~garettesaround the baby, however admitted to smoking marijuana. The mother, father, and Wcompleteda urinalysis which was positive for marijuana. The parents denied the paternal sister who has
seizures had ever met the baby but his other sister does watch the baby. Mother advised she was
-nvestigators' observations of the home was messy but not hazardous, family had formula for the
baby, both parents were attentive to the baby, baby was small due to being premature, dressed
~ave any marks or bruises. Additionally, CPI Fuelner noted adults
~~ but not to the point that they cannot care for the baby with someassistance like parenting' .
Services alr~ed were Healthy Start, Social Security, Women, Infants, and Children(WIC), and ~ CPI Fuelner discussed with mother and father substance abuse evaluationand voluntary prevention program, Family Focus Services. Parents agreed to cooperate.
CPI Fuelner confirmed allegations with the reporter.
Initial safety assessment completed by CPI Fuelner with a risk level of intermediate due to parent's
marijuana use , and the baby being their first child. Additionally noted was the
parent's agreement to cooperate with services and if their level of cooperation changed riskwould
be higher.
Initial review by Child Protective Investigator Supervisor (CPIS) Barry Lee supporting assessment
by CPI Fuelner and providing additional actions to take to complete investigation.
March 25. 2009
Family Focus Services (FFS) transfer staffing with recommendations for substance abuse
evaluation, urinalysis, and parenting. Case accepted for services.
March 26. 2009
Second Party Review completed by Operational Program Administrator (OPA) Beau Whitfield
agreeing with assessment and applauding CPI Fuelner for referring and providing FFS to family.
April 15.2009
CPI Fuelner contacted FFS Prevention Specialist Kristy Hancock regarding update on family.
Family is cooperative, has concerns with roommates not paying rent or working but baby is fineotherwise.
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April 22. 2009
Thirty day review completed by CPIS Kelly Faircloth reviewing information already obtained and
requesting additional actions be completed prior to investigation closure.
CPIS Faircloth also contacted FFS Prevention Specialist Hancock regarding services family is being
provided and other information. Mother is receiving family has been referred to
Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), and both parei1tSliaVebeen testing negative on
urinalysis. Additionally, the primary physician has no concerns regarding drug use and
acknowledged the baby is gaining weight and doing well.
May 13.2009 .
CPI Fuelner completed follow up collateral with substance abuse evaluator. Mother cooperativewith services.
CPI Fuelner made contact with Health Start, Angie Raybon. The case worker assigned was not in
the office,-"
"t?
CPI Fuelner contacted the Washington County Sheriff's Office and verified no 911 calls had beenmade from the residence.
Investigation closed with Some Indicators of Substance Misuse. Riu..closure remained at
intermediate based on parent's_ cooperation with FFS,~ substance abuse program,
negative urinalysis, referral to APD, and - -
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2009-131355
On August 12,2009, the Florida Abuse Hotline accepted a call concerning substance misuse and
threatened harm b the mother, Cr stina Lynn Mercer, father, James Dedrick, and other household
members The alleged victim was five month old, Shannon Lee
Dedrick. The allegations are as follows:
"The adult named James picks up the baby (victim) and shakes her. James shakes the baby.ause she cries and this gets on his nerves. The household members named_ andhave also shook the baby. "They" smoke cigarettes and drugs with the baby in the
same room. The household members take their food stamps and trade them for drugs. The
household members are not working. The victim is mentally challenged."
August 12, 2009
CPI Jason Smith confirmed allegations with reporter.
CPI Smith responded to the home to address the allegations of substance misuse and threatened
harm. Both parents and household members admitted to marijuana use and tested positive for
marijuana. All denied ever shaking the baby. Mother advised she was All
other household members denied mental/physical health needs. Mother told CPI Smith the baby's
primary physician had told her it was too early to know if the baby would be mentally disabled.
Investigator's observations of the home were messy and cluttered, two bedroom/one bathroom,
baby had bassinet in parent's bedroom, electrical outlet had almost caught fire so parents had taken
it out and it was covered, adequate food in the home (hamburger helper, rice, canned goods, and
baby food). The father told CPI Smith the family was looking to relocate. Investigator's
observations of the baby were overall positive. Baby was "somewhat clean" with her feet and legsbeing dirty but other areas of her bodywere clean. No marks or bruises were noted on child and she
was dressed in only a diaper (noted appropriate for weather) however diaper needed changing.
Baby smiled at all household members, could move her arms and legs, and was able to focus on
objects. Child would smile "spontaneously and responsively".
CPI Smith discussed need for additional substance abuse involvement and provided family andother household members with date and time of evaluation.
CPI Smith made referral to substance abuse program. Evaluation scheduled for August 27, 2009 at9:00 a.m.
August 13. 2009
CPI Smith contacted Child Protection Team, Tara Oswald, to request a medical evaluation on baby.
Medical scheduled for August 14,2009 at 10:00a.m.
Initial safety assessment completed by CPI Smith with a risk level determined to be intermediate
due to the household member's marijuana use and prior history with the Department.
Initial review by CPI Lee supporting assessment by CPI Smith and providing additional actions to
take to complete investigation.
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AU!wst 14, 2009
Second Party Review completed by Operational Program Administrator (OPA) Beau Whitfield
agreeing with assessment.
CPT medical and specialized interview completed.
August 17,2009
CPI Smith received a copy of the CPT medical history and physical examination repo~formedby Dr." Findings were no evidence of abuse from history and examination. Dr. ~dvised
mother was cooperative and did not act defensive. Noted baby's head was abnormally shaped andears were low set.
August 24, 2009
CPI Smith received the specialized interview report from CPT. Information was same as above
with risk level at low to moderate and recommendations to refer mother for mental health
assessment and both parent's for substance abuse evaluations. Weight of child was noted at ten
pounds, fifteen ounces at five months of age.
September 03,2009
Final case summary received by CPI Smith from CPT. Information in summary was same as
above. Closed with some indicators of substance misuse and no indicators of head injury.
September 08, 2009
Mother contacted CPI Smith to let Department know family was moving. This request was made at
commencement of investigation. Mother told CPI Smith the parents did not make the last two
substance abuse appointments because they did not have a ride and the last one they were all sick.
Roommates no longer reside with family.
September 10, 2009
Thirty day review completed by CPIS Lee reviewing information already obtained and requesting
additional actions be completed prior to investigation closure.
September 14, 2009
CPI Smith made two attempts to contact a neighbor regarding the family. Phone was busy.
Collateral contact made with FFS Prevention Specialist Hancock regarding the family. CPI Smith
was advised the mother was only "slightly" positive for marijuana on the first urinalysis and all
others were negative. Issue for rrs was not substance abuse but cleanliness of home. FFS was
completed successfully, as well as a substance abuse program.
CPI Smith verified with the Washington County Sheriffs Office no 911 calls made from theresidence at commencement or the new residence of the family.
Children's Legal Services (CLS) staffing held with CPI Smith and CLS Amanda Browning. CPI
Smith provided history on family and service involvement. CLS Browning requested additional
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information from substance abuse program, mental health program, Healthy Families to ensure
cooperation and re staff by September 18, 2009.
CPI Smith completed collateral with prior CPI Fuelner. CPI Fuelner discussed concerns for
parent's age and mental ability and immediate need for services during her investigation.
mith contacted substance abuse program, Stephanie, to determine cooperation.
September 15. 2009
CPI Smith made attempt to contact a neighbor regarding the family. Phone was busy.
September 16. 2009
CPI Smith completed contact with child's primary physician, Dr._ office. Information
will be gathered from doctor and will be provided to the investigator.
CPI Smith made attempt to contact a neighbor regarding the family. Phone was busy.
September 17. 2009
CPI Smith made attempt to contact a neighbor regarding the family. Phone was busy.
Collateral contact made with Healthy Start worker, Candice White. No concerns for the family.
Family is cooperative and she will continue to serve them at their new address.
CPI Smith completed a visit to the family's new residence to assess for safety. Home was adequate
for family's needs, messy and cluttered due to recent move. CPI Smith noted baby's crib was
already set up, food (chicken and beef) and drinks (milk and juice). Baby was observed clean with
no marks or bruises and wearing only a diaper which was deemed appropriate for weather. Mothertold CPI Smith Healthy Start was continuing to work with the family at the new location.
September 18, 2009 _PI Smith received information from Dr. office that the providers in the office had
expressed no concerns regarding the baby. Front desk advised sometimes the baby is not very clean
but the mother is good about bringing the baby in for follow up appointments.
CPI Smith and CLS Browning met again to discuss case. Determination made of no legal
sufficiency for judicial intervention based on no indicators of shaken babyby CPT, cooperation
with services, no concerns of primary physician, and referral for mental health counseling had been
completed.
Some Indicator staffing held between CPI Smith and CPIS Lee. Family receiving services.
September 19. 2009
Closure review completed by CPIS Lee addressing cooperation of services (past and present) and
acknowledging risk factors: mental health, substance abuse, prior investigation with similar
allegations, and weight of the baby. However, based on information from collaterals (Healthy Start,
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primary physician, CPT) no significant concerns. Two legal staffings held with no legal sufficiency
noted. Safety plan and voluntary services in place.
September 20. 2009
Investigation closed with Some Indicators of Substance Misuse and No Indicators of Threatened
Harm. Risk at closure remained at intermediate due to prior report, positive marijuana use, age of
the parents, and mental health needs. However, also noted was parents' successful completion of
FFS and prior services and current cooperation with Healthy Start, substance abuse program, and
other providers.
Other Information Reviewed
On March 26, 2009 Family Focus Services, an in home and intensive program via Anchorage
Children's Home began making unannounced and announced visits to the home several times a
week to address parenting, substance abuse issues, random urinalysis, as well as any other needs
which may arise. This program was in its infancy at time of referral. Based on a review of the
notes in FSFN, the program addressed smoking issues with the family and household members,
cleanliness and the importance of removing clutter, medical needs of the baby, encouragement and
support in working with family and household members in gaining employment, assistance in
education on parenting issues related to holding, feeding, and changing the newborn, and provide
random urinalysis to all household members, and numerous other basic parenting techniques and
available supports to the family from within the local area. Additionally, the Prevention Specialist
assigned to the case responded on two occasions when the family called concerning the infant.
Both incidents resulted in visits to the local Emergency Room. One incident due to the~ingoff the bed and another where it was determined bymedical professionals that the bab~Also, clinical staffings were completed by Anchorage Children's Home periodically throughout the
case. The chronological notes reviewed indicated observations of appropriate interaction between
the mother, father, and baby with much attention and many questions by the parents relating to the
needs and well being of the baby. FFS closed successfully in June of2009.
Findin!!s
The initial findings of this review found very thorough and timely work completed by the Child
Protective Investigation staff involved with this family. Noted throughout the investigations were
the numerous risk factors present within the household, however no evidence to provide a nexus of
harm to the baby was found during either investigation. Instead, investigators recognized the need
for services and potential risk to this child if the family was not supported and provided those
services. One thing noted was the mental health referral completed in the second investigation. It is
important to know if the mother follow up and what the assessment of this service found. This
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refeITalcould have been made sooner in the investigation and the follow up information obtained
prior to investigation closure, allowing for an added assessment. Observations by all investigators,
service providers, medical professionals, and the Prevention Specialist involved with the familywere very appropriate and indicated the family's understanding and cooperation in following up on
all needs for the baby.
Based on this review several actions are taking place to dig further into the Department's prior
involvement with the family. The investigative files have been requested, follow up regarding the
mental health refeITaland assessment is being requested, and a conference call will be held with
parties involved to review and discuss any information which may not be visible via review of
FSFN chronological notes.
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