ALEXIS MORRIS - 6 yo (2009) Convicted: Stepmother-Jennifer Jimenez - OK City OK

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY, Oklahoma -
A jury says a stepmother should spend the rest of her
life locked up for child abuse after her 6-year-old stepdaughter dies in her
care.

The biological mother say evidence always pointed to
Jennifer Jimenez abusing the children. Jimenez is now sentenced to life in
prison and the mother says this is just one victory in her fight for justice.

Christina Potter says the fight for her daughter's
life began long before her death.

"Every time she would say ‘I saw my mom picking her up
and slamming her.' I would feel the jolt as though I could feel it for my
daughter," said Potter.

A jolt, the mom remembers feeling every time she heard
her daughter had been abused. A jury found Jimenez guilty of the child abuse.


Testimony from a DHS child welfare worker also
revealed countless bruises reported to the state agency were ignored. When
asked by prosecutors, "In your opinion, were the 17 referrals made to DHS
investigated?" The child welfare worker replied, "No, they were not."

The worker also explained that several of the
complaints were lumped together or classified as "custody dispute". All but two
of the referrals came from doctors, teachers and counselors.

"My next step is getting deeper into closure on things
that should have been, prior to, taken care of," Potter said.


The mother wants DHS to also be held accountable for her
daughter's death and is suing the state agency. Due to pending litigation she
can only say she is still waiting to get closure.

"There might not even be that closure, but you know
what? At least I am trying and she knows I'm trying," said Potter.

News 9 could not reach DHS for comment by the time
this story aired, but DHS has previously responded to our questions with a
statement saying, "Because there is pending litigation in this case they cannot
comment on the details of the agency's interactions with the family."
http://www.news9.com/story/19069219/mother-talks-to-news-9-about-verdict-in-pott-co-child-death-case

This case sounds familiar. I'm surprised there aren't more articles. I hope the mother is successful in suing DHS and the monster rots in jail.