(Photo: ACS Worker, Vanessa Rhoden)By: Dovesblood
On October 6th.,2008, the trial of Nixzmary Brown's mother, Nixzaliz Santiago, continued. First, I'll say what happened in a nutshell then I'll describe the testimony in detail.
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED IN A NUTSHELL: A.C.S. (administration for children's services) caseworkers, Vanessa Rhoden, Joyceline St.Hill and supervisor, Orlene Cummings testified. Rhoden and Cummings said that after Nixzmary appeared at school with a cut over her eye in December of 2005, that ACS was called to the school, interviewed the kids and checked them for bruises. They saw none. They took them to the hospital for exams, and spoke to both Cesar and Nixzaliz at their home. They concluded the children were in no immediate danger and left them in the home.
Joyceline St.Hill, the case worker assigned to Nixzmary, testified about all of her attempts (half assed) to enter the home.
The prosecution pointed out in reference to them saying they saw no bruises and attempting to enter the home, that all of the workers assigned to Nixzmary's case were either suspended or fired for doing such an incompetant job.
HERE'S THE TESTIMONY IN DETAIL: When the day started and everyone came in, Judge Patricia DiMango was wearing a black jacket and white shirt with a belt. Lead D.A., Ama Dwimoh (ja-mo), was wearing a royal blue skirt suit with a pink and white scarf around her neck. Asst. D.A., Linda Weinman, was wearing a navy blue pants suit. Asst. D.A., Anthea Bruffee, was wearing a red skirt suit. Defense lawyer, Sammy Sanchez, was wearing a black suit and defense lawyer, Kathleen M. Mullin, was wearing a navy blue pants suit. The defense's appellate lawyer, Beverly Van Ness was present. (I forgot to note what she was wearing, sorry)
There was a bench conference with all the lawyers, including Van Ness. Afterwards, defense lawyer, Kathleen Mullin, noted on the record that the ACS workers testifying today are accompanied by their lawyers and that they're suing for their jobs back from ACS. (why? so more kids can die? What freaking nerve these lowlifes have. Apparently it's not enough that Nixzmary died, these pigs want to keep working so they can rake in the money at the expense of children!!!!!! I hope no judge out there is idiotic enough to reinstate them. The press should be covering those hearings or at least write a two sentence article about when the hearings are so maybe the public can protest)
Judge DiMango, in addition to being a Judge is also a law professor. Twice a week, her students from a nearby college come sit in the classroom to observe. Today a group of about 16 black students came in and the judge, with the lawyer's permission, explained to them that this was a murder case. They sat to the left in the courtroom and during the day, were kind of rowdy, laughing and carrying on. Suffice it to say, it made me mad. DiMango's regular students don't carry on that way but this bunch wouldn't shut up.
Jurors 2 and 3, as usual, were laughing and making faces. (these two have absolutely zero respect for the dead).
The first witness was ACS caseworker, Vanessa Rhoden. She wore a short sleeve brown shirt, brown pants and a yellow shawl. She had a long ponytail in dreadlocks and wore glasses.
Defense lawyer, Sammy Sanchez, did the direct exam.
Vanessa Rhoden testified that she still works for ACS as a child welfare specialist who goes out into the field to investigate allegations of child abuse that come in from the state. She has a B.A. in psychology and went through an ACS 6 month training protocol on how to do investigations and what to look for.
She said that an I.R.T. stands for instant response team. Rhoden said that on Dec.1st. 2005, a case came in alledeging abuse and domestic violence. There was a prior case from the year before. Her supervisor, Andrew Bartley, who's referred to as a sup.2, gave her the case. Nixzmary's regular caseworker, Joyceline St. Hill was in court that day and Rhoden was just filling in for her.
When Sanchez asked when the last time he (Sanchez) spoke to her was, Rhoden replied: on Friday at her attorney, Gary Maitland's office. Andrew Bartley was also there. Kathleen Mullin was present along with Jean, Gary's assistant.
Rhoden said that she previously testified at Cesar's trial and prior to testifying there, she met with the government beforehand for 1 hour. Asked to point out which of the prosecutors she met with, she said she remembers "the young lady over there". (referencing lead D.A., Ama Dwimoh)
Rhoden said that on Dec. 1st. as a part of an Instant Response Team (IRT), she and a supervisor named Orlene Cummings went to Nixzmary's school by van. She went to the principal's office and asked for the kids to be brought down. They came down all at the same time.
Rhoden testified that when she saw Nixzmary, she had a 3 inch gash that had been stitched up and a healing black eye that was purple in color. She said Nixzmary was "clean, well dressed, appropritately dressed for the time of year, her hair was done, and she appeared to be well taken care of." She said she "scanned" Nixzmary, looking at her hands and neck. Rhoden introduced herself to Nixmary, told her why she was there, and took her into a back room to interview her. There was school staff in the room. She complimented Nixzmary on how she looked and asked her what happened to her eye. She said Nixzmary was "open, active, cooperative and polite". Nixzmary gave an explanation and Rhoden was satisfied with it. Rhoden took Nixzmary back to the principal's office where her supevisor, Orlene Cummings was with the other kids.
Rhoden then spoke to Nixzmary's older brother, Javier. She took Javier into the same room she interviewed Nixzmary and told him he looked nice. She said his hair was neat, his clothes and sneakers were clean. She said he was happy, active and polite with no bruises. She introduced herself to him and asked him if he knew the difference between a truth and a lie. He said, yes. After the interview, she took him back to the principal's office.
She interviewed Nixzmary's little sister, Selena, next. She said Selena was shy and didn't talk much. She was clean appropriately dressed and her hair was done. Her hair was worn down. She took Selena back to principal's office.
Rhoden then said she called the C.A.C. = Child Advocacy Center, where she spoke with them.
She also reported back to her supervisor, Andrew Bartley then she called the home. Cesar came down to the school. She sat with the children while they drew pictures.
Two detectives from the CAC came. While supervisor Orlene Cummings talked with the detectives, Rhoden stayed at the table with the kids.
Rhoden said, "based on my interview at that time, I saw no immediate risk".
Afterwards they gathered the children and took them home in the van. Inside of the van were herself, Cummings, Selena, Javier, Edward, Cesar and the 18 month old baby that he brought with him to the school. She said it was a 15 minute drive to get to the house.
When they got there, the mother was sitting in the living room holding a young baby. Rhoden said that the kids ran to the mother and showed her the pictures that they drew, they played with the baby, then afterwards they went to their room.
She said the baby was clean, well dressed and not crying.
She said: the house was clean, in order, no dishes in the sink, nothing on the stove, there were a few toys on the living room floor.
Rhoden introduced herself to the mother, read the allegations and asked Cesar if he would leave the room for a minute. He went to a bedroom. Nixzaliz, sitting in the chair holding the young baby, appeared tired but cooperative and friendly.
Sanchez wanted Rhoden to walk over to the gigantic map of the apartment on an easle to the right of the witness box, and identify all of the rooms. She said she'd rather recall from her mind. (I don't think she understood the map)
Rhoden then said she inspected the apartment. She said the kitchen was right in front of her, then living room.
She said the bathroom was clean but th edge of the sink was broken.
10 feet from the bathroom was another room. She asked the mother who slept there and she said it was the 2 boy's room.
Rhoden then described the storage room she went into. (this was really Nixzmary's room) She said there were mattresses leaning up against the dresser, three or four large garbage bags, toys scattered on the floor, the radiator was cold and there were bars on the window. When Sanchez questioned her, she said she noticed no rope, chair, bungee cord or duct tape. Rhoden inferred it was a storage room that the boys weren't sleeping in.
Across from that room was room where all children slept.
Rhoden also mentioned that she never spoke to Edward (Nixzmary's younger brother) because he had a speech impediment. She noted that he was neat, clean and appropriately dressed for the weather.
When she went to the children's room there were 2 single beds, clothes had been folded on each bed and she inferred that laundry was just done. There were toys on the floor. She said she was concerned that a part of the ceiling was coming down and she talked to Nixzaliz about that.
Then she went to the kitchen and asked Nixzaliz to open up the fridge and it was full of food.
Then they went to the living room.
When Sanchez asked Rhoden about the fetus in the jar conversation she had with Nixzaliz, lead D.A., Ama Dwimoh objects. Judge DiMango has all of the lawyers go to her office with the court reporter.
Rhoden was still in the room while the Judge and lawyers were conferencing in her office.
It's 11:20 am. and Selene, the STEPS lawyer comes into the room and sits on the defense's side of the room, to the right. (during pretrials, the D.A. had subpoened psychological records from a domestic violence organization that Nixzaliz attended called STEPS. STEPS sent a lawyer, Selene, don't know her last name, to fight the subpoena. They lost and the D.A. was awarded the records)
When they all come back, Rhoden continues her testimony. She said Nixzaliz said that she recently had a miscarriage and she became teary eyed. She said she was keeping the miscarried fetus in a jar and asked Rhoden if she wanted to see it. Rhoden said, no. Rhoden said that she left a case note for the regular, social worker, Joyceline St.Hill, that the mother needs mental health and grief counseling and to follow up.
Rhoden then testified that she didn't think Nixzaliz was crazy. She was cooperative and not violent.
When Sanchez asked questions that he already asked, DiMango calls a bench conference.
DiMango said to Sanchez that the question she sustained the objection to earlier, she'll now allow him to ask.
Rhoden then testified that Nixzaliz said that once she saw the baby's eyes, she couldn't let it go. Rhoden told her it wasn't healthy for her to keep it in the jar. Nixzaliz became sad and her eyes were watery. At 11:30 am, the direct exam ends.
Lead D.A., Ama Dwimoh, did the cross exam.
Under cross exam Rhoden testified that, When she called the home, she spoke to Cesar and asked him to come down to the school.
When she was at the home, she spoke to Nixzaliz in English and had no communication problem.
She said that based on her interview, she concluded that there was no domestic violence in the home.
Dwimoh pointed out that at the school, Rhoden never looked underneath the children's clothes.
Rhoden testified that when she was at the home, she had her winter coat on when she entered the storage room (Nixzmary's room, unbeknownst to her) and it was "really, really cold". She said she could tell the heater wasn't working.
Dwimoh said "you knew the school indentified Nixzmary as a target child".
Then Dwimoh pointed out that it's not unusual for women who have miscarriages to be sad.
Rhoden said she had no issues with Nixzaliz's mental state, didn't see any cats at the home and that Nixzaliz was interviewed at the home while Cesar was in another room.
Dwimoh pointed out that before Rhoden even went to the home, she made a decision that the children were not at any immediate risk. Dwimoh, "while the investigation was ongoing, you already made up your mind!!!" Rhoden answered, yes.
Dwimoh pointed out that the investigation she went out on, remained open until the day Nixzmary's body was found! Rhoden answered, yes.
Dwimoh said that supervisors, Bartley, Cummings and St. Hill also had involvement and that everyone who had handled the investigation of Nixzmary's case was either suspended without pay or fired. Rhoden confirmed it, yes.
Defense lawyer, Sammy Sanchez, did the re-direct.
Sanchez: what was Cesar's demeanor at the school? Rhoden: he was cooperative until he went into the back room.
Sanchez: any allegations of domestic violence? Rhoden: it wasn't allegations, it was past history.
Sanchez: why was the radiator not working? Judge DiMango intercedes and says, "how would she know, she's not a mechanic!"
Rhoden testified that Cesar said that Nixzaliz was sick so she couldn't come to the phone but when Rhoden went to the house, Nixzaliz was not sick.
Lead D.A., Ama Dwimoh, did the re-cross.
Dwimoh asked Rhoden if the domestic violence was an allegation not a finding. Rhoden said, yes.
After that, Rhoden's testimony ends and she walks off the stand with her water cup. (they give all the witnesses water to drink) When I saw her walking off with the water cup, I thought to myself: what? you can't afford your own water! The bitch took the cup with her!
The second witness called was ACS supervisor, Orlene Cummings. I didn't hear whether or not she still works for ACS She's black, skinny, extremely dark skinned, hair was in a pony tail and she talked with a Caucasian accent. She wore a gray suit with a white shirt.
Defense lawyer, Sammy Sanchez did the direct exam.
Rhoden said that she never before spoke to Sanchez.
Orlene Cummings testified that on Dec.1st. 2005 she assisted caseworker, Vanessa Rhoden, in an IRT. (instant response team)
She said she went to the school, saw the three kids, looked at Nixzmary's brother, Javier's arms, face and visible parts of his body.
Cummings said that Nixzmary lifted up her shirt, sleeves and pant legs and that she saw no marks.
She said Cesar was cooperative.
Lead D.A., Ama Dwimoh, did the cross exam.
Cummings said on cross exam that the inspection of Nixzmary was in the principal's office.
Dwimoh asked if she was suspended or fired with everyone else who was involved in Nixzmary's case (for being incompetant) Cummings snidely remarked, "that's the allegations". I couldn't believe this roach on the stand was calling ACS's incompetance, "ALLEGATIONS"!!! A child is dead because of their incompetance and her dumb ass can't even admit it!!! Of course not because the cunt wants to keep working for ACS so she could keep raking in the money and never mind if children die!!!
Here's what Orlene Cummings didn't say on the stand. What didn't come out in her testimony is that in Dec of 2005, Nixzmary was absent from school for almost a month. Rather than get a warrant to enter the house, on Dec. 30th. 2005, supevisor (or stupid-visor) Andrew Bartley, decided to WAIT ANOTHER WEEK TO SEE IF SHE SHOWED UP!!!!!!! Rather than get a warrant, this Einstein wanted to wait another week! Well you know what? In that couple of days, Nixzmary was murdered!!!!!!
What do you think Orlene Cummings' reaction to Nixzmary being missing from school for almost a month was???? I'll tell you what it was, she was even less concerned than Bartley!!! Orlene Cummings told Nixzmary's caseworker,(the pig) Joyceline St. Hill that if Nixzmary showed up to school--TO SEND A NOTE HOME WITH HER TO HER PARENTS!!!! A note!!!!! A fucking note!!!!!!!! I'd like to take that note and shove it up her stinking ass!!!!!!
As far as I'm concerned, NIXZMARY'S BLOOD IS ON BARTLEY'S, CUMMINGS AND ST. HILL'S HANDS! (especially Bartley) They are also responsible for her death and THESE 3 NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE!!!!!! They contributed to her death and they're out there right now, as free as a bird while Nixzmary is in a hole in the ground decomposing. What's wrong with that picture???? These three need to be held accountable!!!!!!!
They're actually suing for their jobs back!! They're not even fit to be cleaning shit from toilets and they want to work with children!!!!???
Continuing on with the hearing, the defense's third witness was Nixzmary's ACS caseworker, Joyceline St. Hill. How ironic that this bitch has got the last name of St. Hill? "SAINT"????? This pig was anything but a saint!!!! St. Hill (and I use that term lightly) was a light skinned black woman. She was chunky, and had a bit of a beard under her chin. I could see the stubble when she walked past me. She was wearing a bubble coat ( she should've floated away straight to hell) and a low cut blue shirt. I don't know who this bitch is trying to pick up, wearing a low cut shirt. She needs to realize NOBODY WANTS A BABY KILLER!!!!!!!! Before I get into her testimony, let me tell you what didn't come out on the stand during her testimony.
On Jan. 10th. 2006, Joyceline St.Hill was ordered to make an after hours visit to Nixzmary's apartment. This lazy pig decides she's going to put it off until the next day. When she got to the apartment the following morning, she walked into a crime scene! She was greeted by police cars and was told that Nixzmary was murdered the day before- the very day she was suppose to go visit!!!!!!
NIXZMARY'S BLOOD IS ON JOYCELINE ST.HILLS HANDS AND NOW THIS BITCH HAS THE NERVE TO BE SUING FOR HER JOB BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If this pig gets her job back, that will be an insult to Nixzmary's memory. No judge better not be stupid enough to reinstate this slob!!
Continuing with her (I really should be saying "IT" but, so I don't confuse you, I'll refer to "IT" as "her") testimony. The defense attorney, Sammy Sanchez, did the direct exam.
St.Hill testified that she's no longer employed by ACS, and that the last time she spoke to Sanchez was on Friday, after 7 o'clock. She said that in Dec. 2005 she was employed by ACS a little over 5 years.
She said that on Dec. 8th was her first attempt to contact the family. She made a home visit, no one answered the door so she called from a payphone outside. She spoke to Cesar on the phone and he came down. Sanchez asked her what they talked about. D.A. Dwimoh objected. The judge called a bench conference. St.Hill said that she told Cesar that she wanted to introduce herself to the family, that they had met her co-workers. She said she didn't want to address the allegations on the street. Cesar said the family wasn't home, that he was on his way out, and to call the following day.
St. Hill said that on Dec. 9th between 3 - 6:30pm she called the home 4 times to set up an appointment and got no answer.
She said the next attempt was made through the supervisor.
On Dec. 21st, the phone was out of order when she attempted to call.
On Dec. 22nd, she got a recording on the phone.
On Dec. 23rd, she made another visit to the home and left a note saying that she needed to see the children.
Asst. D.A., Linda Weinman, did the cross examination.
Weinman said: when you got there on January 11th, Nixzmary was already dead.
Then Weinman said that Margaritta Cotto, the social worker at Nixzmary's school contacted her (St.Hill) on the 5th and the 8th. Weinman said, "Cotto kept contacting you because she was concerned about Nixzmary". St.Hill said, "I only had one contact with Cotto." Weinman responded, "she left you numerous messages on your voice mail!!" St. Hill said, "no".
Then Linda Weinman pointed out that St. Hill got fired.
I couldn't believe this pig, St.Hill was actually lying about how many times Nixzmary's school social worker contacted her. This didn't come out in the testimony but this social worker, Margarita Cotto, actually went out of her way to help Nixzmary. She even went down to Nixzmary's home and when Cesar came to the door and refused to let Cotto inside the home, COTTO TRIED TO PUSH HER WAY PAST CESAR! Suffice it to say, she never got in but the school really did do all they could and then some. It was those good for nothings at ACS that didn't care.
Defense attorney, Sammy Sanchez did the re-direct.
St.Hill said that the kids didn't return to school on Dec. 21st. and that Cotto made a complaint with the central registry.
After that, the testimony ended and the pig, Joyceline St. Hill, walked right past me on her way out of the courtroom. It was 12pm.
After the jury left, Judge DiMango took care of some other issues in regards to the case. The defense's appellate lawyer, Beverly Van Ness, had made some motions to have numerous charges dismissed and complained that the prosecution is not being clear as to which assault incidents they were charging Nixzaliz with.
Asst. D.A. Anthea Bruffee, said that the prosecution is limiting the assault counts to two specific incidents:
1)Count 5: the assault with the bungee cord or rope that caused the cut on Nixzmary's ankle
2)Count 6: this assault count was that she "recklessly caused physical injury" by throwing Nixzmary hard to the floor.
Bruffee noted that Nixzaliz caused the black eye to Nixzmary.
She also mentioned that the case that the defense's appellate lawyer cited, that the court of appeals granted a leave to hear that case.
Defense lawyer, Kathleen Mullin, stated that Nixzmary didn't get the cut on her forehead from being pushed. Mullin stated that what's in the medical records in relation to Nixzmary's cut is that Nixzmary was playing in the room, fell and hit her head on a piece of wood.
Bruffee noted that on 11-29-05 the medical records differed from what the defendant said occured on 12-1-05.
Bruffee also said that they're charging Nixzaliz for the cut over Nixzmary's eye.
This is big, because the prosecution knows that Cesar is the one responsible for that cut over Nixzmary's eye but yet they're trying to tack it on Nixzaliz! It surprised me when they did that because it means they're really want her so bad that they're tacking on Cesar's crimes as hers.
In regards to Mullin pointing out the medical records say Nixzmary hit her head on a piece of wood, here's the real story: When ACS came to Nixzmary's school on Dec.1st. to investigate since Nixzmary showed up with the gash over her right eyebrow, they interviewed all of the kids and took them to the hospital. When Nixzmary's little sister Selena was asked how Nixzmary got the cut over her eye, Selena pointed to a wooden window frame and said, "Cesar did it". The ACS workers didn't know what she meant so they asked her again. Selena again, pointed to the window frame and repeated, "Cesar did it". So it was Cesar who caused that cut to Nixzmary's head, it was not an accident. The prosecution knows this. Nixzmary's older brother, Javier, repeated Cesar's lies by telling ACS about Nixzmary falling on a piece of wood. Her little sister, Selena identified the true culprit.
DiMango said in reference to the order of the counts (count 1, count 2 etc) that they have to be relabeled to fit the charges.
Defense attorney, Kathleen Mullin, then said in response to the prosecution's new allegation that Nixzaliz caused the cut on Nixzmary's head, "the people never opened their theory that Nixzaliz was responsible for the eye injury"!!! Mullin said: Nixzaliz was present in the emergency room and spoke to the Dr. about the wound.
Asst.da, Linda Weinman, said that Nixzaliz was under general anesthesia undergoing a Dal(?)
The defense again made a motion to dismiss every count as duplicitus in reference to the assault and possession of a deadly weapon counts. DiMango said: the essential elements were established here. Motion to dismiss denied.
Assault 2nd. degree 120.05 sub.2 intent to cause physical injury: the bungee cord and the rope. The second assault count the defense remedied. DiMango said she wasn't dismissing any of the assault counts.
Defense appellate lawyer, Beverly Van Ness again stated that the cut over the eye doesn't constitute serious physical injury. Asst. D.A., Bruffee, stated that the definition is disfigurement and the cut could've left a scar, that'd protracted disfigurement. Dr. Wetli, the defense's Medical Exzmainer did state that had Nixzmary lived, there was a chance she would've been left with a scar over her right eyebrow from the cut. That's permanent protracted disfigurement. After that, the oral arguments end.
SOME PERSONAL THOUGHTS: The lawyer that's fighting to get the ACS workers who contributed to Nixzmary Brown's murder back their jobs is attorney, Gary Maitland, from the lawfirm Kreisberg & Maitland LLP in Manhattan. Apparently, this scum bucket lawyer makes a living trying to get incompetant ACS workers back their jobs so they can continue to be incompetant and more kids can die in the process!
Maitland also represented the ACS worker, Adriano Navalo, who was in charge of Elisa Izquierdo's case. Navalo ended up getting fired. (nice work, Gary)
(Photo: Elisa Izquierdo)For those of you not familiar with Elisa's story, here it is: Elisa Izquierdo was a beautiful 6 year old girl who was murdered by her mother in 1995. Elisa was born with her mother's cocaine in her veins. Custody was immediately given to her father, Gustavo Izquierdo. Izquierdo worked as an employee in a homeless shelter. Gustavo loved Elisa and took good care of her. He took parenting classes and every morning before school, he'd get up and put her beautiful hair into pigtails and braids and buns. The two went on outings to the circus, the movies the park. He had tons of pictures of Elisa in his wallet. He enrolled her in a pre-school that the Prince of Greece was associated with. An aide to the Prince had established a connection with the school. Elisa was learning to dance and impressed Prince Michael so much, that he offered to pay for her entire private school education, all the way up to college.
Then Elisa's mother, Awilda Lopez, regained custody of Elisa. She had convinced the courts that she was off of drugs and had gotten re-married. Awilda would take all of the kids out in the middle of the night looking for crack. She once tried to sell one of the kid's tricycle for crack! Awilda would keep Elisa locked up in her room all day. Elisa was forced to use a pot for a toilet. She was also being starved. Awilda wouldn't let Elisa eat, watch television or play with her brothers and sisters. She became convinced that Elisa was possessed by demons. Once on a family trip to Coney Island in Brooklyn, Awilda's husband, Carlos Lopez, threw Elisa into the ocean, three times, to try and rid her of demons. (though Carlos Lopez confessed to this in a police statement, he was never charged in Brooklyn for this crime!!!) Awilda cut off all of Elisa's beautiful hair. She put ammonia into Elisa's mouth. Awilda violated her with a toothbrush. She tied her up and violated her with a hairbrush into the rectum, claiming she was trying to get snakes out of Elisa's stomach. She would turn the music up so the neighbors wouldn't hear her daughter screaming. Awilda forced Elisa to eat her own feces. She would hold her upside down and mop the floor with the little girl's head. Elisa's screams would often be heard coming from the apartment late at night. "Mommy, mommy, please stop! No more! no more! I'm sorry"!
Elisa's father, came up with a plan to keep her safe from Awilda. He was planning on sending her away to Cuba. Gustavo Izquierdo died of cancer, ON THE DAY, he was planning on putting Elisa on the plane. The tickets were already purchased. With the death of Gustavo Izquierdo, Elisa's fate was sealed.
Gustavo's cousin, Esta Canizares, applied for custody of Elisa, but Brooklyn Family Court Judge, Phoebe Greenbaum, refused to grant Canizares custody. She awarded Awilda custody despite being told by Elisa's teachers that Elisa was being abused by her mother. Even Prince Michael of Greece sent a letter to the judge asking her not to give Elisa to Awilda. Greenbaum just wouldn't listen. (After Elisa died, Greenbaum would later say, from her home in Belle Harbor in the Rockaways (Queens County, New York) that Elisa's death wasn't her fault)
Awilda Lopez murdered Elisa Izquierdo on November 22nd. 1995 by bashing little Elisa's head into a concrete wall. She was only 6 years old. Awilda waited two days before she went downstairs to tell a neighbor she thought Elisa was dead. She stayed up in the apartment drinking, hoping Elisa would come back to life. When the neighbor was going to call the police, Awilda tried to throw herself off of the roof of her building. The neighbor grabbed her leg, saving her.
When rescue workers found Elisa's battered and emaciated body in her bed, she had deep red blotches pocking (indenting) her entire body. It was the stone from someone's ring. On her right hand side near her kidneys were enormous bruises. There was more bruising on her face and around her temples. Ghastly wounds around her genitals. The bone of her right hand pinky was jutting through the skin. Her tongue was hanging from her mouth. The Assistant District Attorney, Donna Henken, who prosecuted Carlos Lopez for assaulting Elisa on Halloween, said, "Elisa languished unconscious in the apartment until the next day with brain fluid leaking from an ear."
It was the day before Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving Eve Massacre.
The sort of evil that was inflicted upon Elisa Izquierdo is not even earthly evil. This sort of evil is evil that comes from another dimension.
The caseworker, Adriano Navalo, who handled Elisa's case was fired. His supervisor, Thomas Gorse, was allowed to retire, WITH A FULL PENSION! Apparently, there wasn't enough evidence against Gorse so this pig is out there somewhere living off of Elisa Izquierdo's blood money. I'm sure Gary Maitland is very proud of himself for getting Thomas Gorse off the hook. These are the sort of people that ACS attorneys like Gary Maitland want to keep in buisness. So more tragedies like this can happen.
After Elisa's death, a law was enacted in New York State called "Elisa's Law" in honor of Elisa Izquierdo.
Awilda Lopez is up for parole next year in 2010! Personally, I'd like to see this bitch rot in jail for the rest of her life! No parole board better not be stupid enough to let her go!
Personally, I'd like to see Carlos Lopez prosecuted in Brooklyn for his crime against Elisa there. He CONFESSED in a police statement taken Nov. 22nd. 1995, while he was in jail, that on a family trip to Coney Island in Brooklyn, that he threw Elisa into the ocean three times to rid her of demons. He confessed this to Det. James Turnbull. Carlos Lopez was never charged with Elisa's murder because he was in jail on a parole violation when Awilda killed Elisa. Carlos, who would also abuse Elisa, was present in the home when Awilda was inflicting all of the torture on Elisa and did nothing. Carlos was only charged with assaulting Elisa on Halloween (he bashed her head into a concrete wall) and was sentenced to 3 years in prison. That's it! I don't care if it happened 14 years ago. Unless there's some sort of statute of limitations on child abuse, Lopez shoud be prosecuted. You know why? Because ELISA IZQUIERDO MATTERS!!! Prosecuting him would send a message that you can't just come into Brooklyn on vacation, commit a crime on a child, leave, and think you're going to get away with it. That no matter how many years pass, you'll eventually pay for it.
I'm thinking about contacting the Brooklyn D.A.'s office about prosecuting Lopez but I'm afraid I won't be taken seriously because of the amount of time that's passed.
Please visit Elisa's memorial page. I created it for her, myself.
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