CPS Returns Toddler to Flint Mom Then Found Dead Two Days Later

A Michigan family is outraged after a 3-year-old with Down syndrome died less than 48 hours after he was returned to his mother by Child Protective Services.

The toddler who has had nothing but tough luck in his short life. Kassius 'Kass' Lofton was diagnosed with Down syndrome and was developmentally delayed. Kass couldn't walk or talk. His aunt was crying when she said, 'He is non-verbal. He cannot even say ouch.' 

When that same Aunt, Brenda Wellons-Watson of Detroit, saw photos of Kass last July she was heartbroken and took immediate action. She said in an interview, 'I received the pictures of him with the belt buckle marks on one side [of his face], and a long scar down the other side. He had two black eyes and bruises all over his back.'

Wellons-Watson contacted Child Protective Services on July 20th and shared the photos with them. CPS and Flint Police investigated and thanks to his Aunt's complaint Kass was removed from his home and took him to Patricia Carradine, his godmother.

Family members asked Tiarra Wellons, Kass' mom, how he got the bruises. She gave everyone a different answer, which is when the family became suspicious. One was told it was due to an allergic reaction, another was told it was due to roughhousing.

After staying with his godmother for a month CPS contacted Carradine and told her they were closing or dismissing the case and had to return Kass to his mother by 2 p.m. that particular day in August.

When his aunt heard the news she again took action. 'I was battling with them not to return him.' She continued, 'I had sent them text messages and photographs. I had gone even so far as to reach out to Lansing to keep him from being returned.'

She persistently emailed anyone she could find at CPS. She then said 'It came back saying that someone would get back with me within 48 hours. And by the time she called me back, I told her I didn’t need her help anymore. Because Kassius was dead.' 

There was a hearing last November where a Flint Police Officer testified that he saw bruises on Kass' face and ribs. Last month the criminal cases were bound over to circuit court. The lawyers for the mother and her boyfriend repeatedly claim that their clients are innocent and are looking forward to their day in court.