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Boy dies despite three investigations by DCF
©Associated Press
August 14, 2002
RIVIERA BEACH -- Florida's child welfare agency conducted three abuse investigations into the home of a young boy but took no action to remove the child, who was later fatally beaten.
Tarquez Woodson, 4, was removed from life support Aug. 9 and died of head and body trauma suffered at his Riviera Beach home two days earlier, police said.
His stepfather, D'Andre Bannister, 20, is charged with aggravated manslaughter.
Florida's Department of Children and Families first investigated Bannister and Pameka Robinson, 21, the boy's mother, after Tarquez was taken to the hospital twice in April 2000. A doctor told a DCF investigator the injuries were definite signs of abuse.
The DCF moved the boy to a grandmother's home and took the case to dependency court but eventually made a deal with Robinson, allowing her to keep her child if she took anger management training and allowed social workers into her home. Bannister had to attend a drug abuse treatment program.
DCF officials said the department is less likely now to use those types of agreements with such families.
In August 2001 the DCF investigated Tarquez's home again, after Bannister was accused of assaulting Robinson and having cocaine. A DCF investigator observed the children "appear to be safe" and the investigation was closed Oct. 16, 2001.
Less than two weeks later Robinson stabbed Bannister while he held their baby in his arms, police said. A DCF investigator visited and reported the children to be clean, happy and at low risk. That case was closed in January.
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