Trial begins for Spokane man charged in toddler's death

Trial begins for Spokane man charged in toddler's death
John Langeler / KXLY4 Reporter
Last updated: Monday, July 30th, 2007 05:52:56 PM

http://www.kxly.com/news/?sect_rank=...story_id=13252

SPOKANE -- Avery Sam returned to court Monday to face 2nd Degree Murder
charges in the death of 23-month-old Devon Miller, the toddler he is
accused of shaking to death last summer.

Miller’s death last August raised numerous concerns that DSHS is finally
paying some attention to.

The fatality review of Devon Miller's case says the child should never
have been placed in the care of Avery Sam, who had a criminal history
and failed to tell DSHS about it.

The report says when Avery and Angelique Sam tried to have Devon placed
in their home, they failed to tell anyone of their criminal history.
Avery Sam, the man accused of shaking Devon to death, had 15 convictions
including one drug felony, 14 misdemeanors and nine felony warrants
issued for his arrest on a variety of charges ranging from involuntary
manslaughter to drug and property crime charges.

The Adam Walsh Child and Protection Safety Act took effect in Washington
two weeks ago and it requires state agencies to do more thorough
background checks on prospective adoptive parents.

“The recommendation of the panel with respect to these background checks
has been well-implemented and would've been on a state level, but the
federal level legislation made it come into effect here," Bruce Thomas,
who was on the panel that investigated Devon Miller’s death, said.

Sam admitted to police after the incident last August that he shook the
child out of frustration. According to doctors who treated Devon Miller
last year, his injuries ranged from a linear bruise on his ribs to
bruising to the left side of the temple and down across the ear and a
massive brain injury and bleeding in the eyes. Devin’s injuries were
consistent with Shaken Baby Syndrome.

“I believe if we had the system in place that we do now, the red flags
would've gone up far, far earlier," Thomas said.

To date no one from the family has spoken about the incident. Devon's
mother allegedly took Mr. Sam home from jail when he was released on
bond last year.

Jury selection in Avery Sam’s trial is expected to start Tuesday or
Wednesday.




CURRENTLY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES VIOLATES MORE CIVIL RIGHTS ON A
DAILY BASIS THEN ALL OTHER AGENCIES COMBINED INCLUDING THE NSA / CIA
WIRETAPPING PROGRAM....

CPS Does not protect children...
It is sickening how many children are subject to abuse, neglect and even
killed at the hands of Child Protective Services.

every parent should read this .pdf from
connecticut dcf watch...

http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com/8x11.pdf

http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com

Number of Cases per 100,000 children in the US
These numbers come from The National Center on
Child Abuse and Neglect in Washington. (NCCAN)
Recent numbers have increased significantly for CPS

*Perpetrators of Maltreatment*

Physical Abuse CPS 160, Parents 59
Sexual Abuse CPS 112, Parents 13
Neglect CPS 410, Parents 241
Medical Neglect CPS 14 Parents 12
Fatalities CPS 6.4, Parents 1.5

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, HAPPILY DESTROYING HUNDREDS OF INNOCENT
FAMILIES YEARLY NATIONWIDE AND COMING TO YOU'RE HOME SOON...


BE SURE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR CANDIDATES STANDS ON THE ISSUE OF
REFORMING OR ABOLISHING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES ("MAKE YOUR CANDIDATES
TAKE A STAND ON THIS ISSUE.") THEN REMEMBER TO VOTE ACCORDINGLY IF THEY
ARE "FAMILY UNFRIENDLY" IN THE NEXT ELECTION...