For episodes two at CPS podcast, we cover the first of two cases in New Jersey that changed the landscape of the state’s child protective services agency which ultimately changed it’s name from the Division of Youth & Family Services (DYFS) to the Division of Child Protection & Permanency (DCPP). The state agency only just got out from outside oversight in 2022 with the harrowing case of Faheem Williams and his brothers originated in 2003.
Faheem Williams was an adorable little boy whose life was taken too soon. His siblings survived the ordeal but still have a lived experience that no one should have to face. The case of the Williams’ children led to a lawsuit against the state agency charged with oversight of the children’s safety and has resulted in systematic change. Many workers and families that interact with DCP&P today will call it DYFS out of habit or spit out the term like a bad word when sharing frustrations with a system that is still far from perfect and has not protected all children under its care since.
As of April 1, 2023, you can listen to episode 2, where Michele Rodriguez explores Faheem’s story in depth and tries to understand how a system intended to protect, did the opposite. We hope to have a follow-up commentary to cover some of the questions that come up when listening to the story.
“I wasn’t able to care for them. I didn’t know when Melinda was going to come back for them. So I made a room for them in the basement. It was a mattress but there wasn’t any bathroom or toilet so they used a bucket.”
– Quote from caregiver Sherry Murphy from writer R.L. Jones in a 2005 New York Times Article, 2 Plead Guilty in Child’s Death in New Jersey
Full References:
Associated Press. (2003, January 9). Americas | erotic dancer arrested after Child death. BBC News. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2635305.stm
Associated Press. (2015, March 25). Man charged with molesting brother of boy found dead in Bin. Fox News. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.foxnews.com/story/man-charged-with-molesting-brother-of-boy-found-dead-in-bin
Associated Press. (2005, November 2). Woman who hid body of boy gets 25 Years. NBCNews.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna9898831
Associated Press. (2008, February 27). N.J. mom in abuse case will not get $1 million. NBCNews.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23359563
Associated Press. (2008, February 27). N.J. mom in abuse case will not get $1 million. NBCNews.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23359563
Associated Press. (2006, November 12). Newark NJ payout 7.5M Faheem Williams. NARKIVE: Newsgroup Archive. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from http://gatewaynet.netscape.compuserve.com/news/story.jsp?floc=ne-us-12-l13&idq=/ff/story/0001%2F20061111%2F1832073598.htm&sc=1110
Coscarelli, K. (2007, August 10). Court: Faheem’s mom unfit to care for her other kids. nj. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.nj.com/ledgerupdates/2007/08/court_faheems_mom_unfit_to_car.html
Jacobs, A., & Jones, R. L. (2003, January 9). Child abuse case in Newark grows as man is charged with molestation. The New York Times. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/09/nyregion/child-abuse-case-in-newark-grows-as-man-is-charged-with-molestation.html
Jones, R. L. (2005, September 28). 2 plead guilty in child’s death in New Jersey. The New York Times. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/28/nyregion/2-plead-guilty-in-childs-death-in-new-jersey.html
Shogren, E. (2003, January 10). Case of child abuse, Death tells tale of official neglect. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jan-10-na-abuse10-story.html
Staff. (2015, November 10). Town controversies: Melinda Williams. Dr. Phil. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.drphil.com/slideshows/town-controversies-melinda-williams/
Strunsky, S. (2003, January 10). Police locate caretaker sought in child abuse case. LJWorld.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www2.ljworld.com/news/2003/jan/10/police_locate_caretaker/#:~:text=Go%2Dgo%20dancer%20arrested%20on%20endangerment%20charges&text=Newark%2C%20N.J.%20%3F%20A%20go%2D,a%20stranger%20turned%20
