Help never came for Samayah Anne Emmanuel.
The 7-year-old was forced by her adoptive mother to stand for long periods of time, her arms outstretched, as if she was being crucified. (THREAD) hrld.us/2XqLJj2
The 7-year-old was forced by her adoptive mother to stand for long periods of time, her arms outstretched, as if she was being crucified. (THREAD) hrld.us/2XqLJj2
Her little body had “shriveled” away, child welfare administrators were told. When Samayah would get thirsty, her mother would give her bleach to drink.
Gina Emmanuel, a registered nurse, had adopted Samayah from foster care. On Nov. 3, 2018, she was found unconscious in her bed. She died later that day.
Investigators believe the girl succumbed to pneumonia. They also suspected abuse.
Investigators believe the girl succumbed to pneumonia. They also suspected abuse.
“Samayah had marks all over her body, some of them appeared to be ‘burn marks’ and some of them appeared to be ‘abrasions,’” a DCF investigator said in January. “The marks … appeared to be from possibly being tortured.”
Her sisters also showed signs of being abused.
Samayah’s sisters told investigators that Emmanuel beat them with belts, a brush and a back scratcher for punishment. Emmanuel also made them stand for hours at a time and tied their hands and bodies to furniture, the girls said.
Samayah’s sisters told investigators that Emmanuel beat them with belts, a brush and a back scratcher for punishment. Emmanuel also made them stand for hours at a time and tied their hands and bodies to furniture, the girls said.
The Department of Children & Families verified a report that Samayah had been abused — and DCF alerted administrators of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities of its findings, because Emmanuel was licensed to operate a Miami group home for people with disabilities.
But APD administrators took no action toward Emmanuel’s license until last month, almost a full year after Samayah died, when TV stations and the @MiamiHerald reported that Emmanuel had been arrested for child abuse in connection with Samayah’s death. hrld.us/2XqLJj2
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