KINGSTON SIMMONS - 5 Months - Winterpark FL

Search On For Missing 5-Month-Old, Mom
Kingston Simmons Last Seen On Friday

POSTED: Thursday, July 28, 2011
UPDATED: 5:46 pm EDT July 28, 2011


Shumia Barker and Kingston Simmons

WINTER PARK, Fla. -- Winter Park police are searching for a missing 5-month-old boy last seen with his mother.
Kingston Simmons, who was born prematurely and weighs 8 pounds, was last known to be with his mother, Shumia Barker, Winter Park police said.
Kingston and Barker, 24, were last seen Friday in Altamonte Springs; they were later reported to have been in Winter Park, police said.
Kingston is supposed to be on an oxygen and apnea monitors, which were left behind, police said.
The Department of Children and Families said it is concerned for Kingston's safety and has listed him as missing and endangered.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to call their local police department or the Winter Park Police Department.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/28697548/detail.html

Looks like she got the new "Binky" app for her IPhone...

Missing Mom To WESH: 'We Are Fine'
Mother Says She And Child Are Safe
updated 2 hours 12 minutes ago

A mother on the run tells WESH 2 News she and her 5-month-old son are safe and sound.

Shumia Barker and her son Kington Simmons disappeared a week ago.

The child is under the protection of the Department and Families. Officials said he doesn't have the medical equipment he needs.

Barker told WESH she isn't running from police or DCF. She said her primary concern is her child's safety.

"He is fine. Kingston is doing well, and I'm doing well. We are fine, and we are safe," she told WESH by phone.

A DCF spokeswoman said investigators are concerned the child doesn't have an apnea monitor.

Barker said that after Kingston was born, a hospital social worker heard arguments that she had with the baby's father.

The social worker then questioned Barker.

"My honesty backfired on me and got my child sheltered away from me," Barker said.

She said while in medical foster care, her child stopped breathing. She contends the foster mother did not have her son hooked up to the necessary monitors.

"She did not have him hooked up to the equipment," Barker said.

Barker said little Kingston was then rushed to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

"I held him in my arms, and I watched him stop breathing more than once," she said.

Barker said she is somewhere in South Florida.

Barker said her concern is that the child will be taken away or that she may face charges from Winter Park police.

Police said they are not considering charges at the moment, but if Barker waits for too long to contact them they may consider that.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43950209

Missing Infant, Mother Found In Miss.

POSTED: Monday, August 1, 2011

Authorities have found a missing 5-month-old boy and his mother.

Kingston Simons and his mother, Shumia Baker were found Monday in Mississippi after being missing for several days.

Kingston and Barker, 24, were last seen Friday in Altamonte Springs; they were later reported to have been in Winter Park, police said.

Kingston was born prematurely and weighs 8 pounds, Winter Park Police said. He is supposed to be on oxygen and apnea monitors, which were left behind, police said.

Kingston was taken to a local hospital with respiratory problems.

On Friday, the Department of Children and Families expressed concern for Kingston's safety and well-being.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/28732926/detail.html

Judge: 5-Month-Old Boy To Stay In DCF Custody
Updated: 12:26 pm EDT August 3, 2011

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- An Orange County judge decided Wednesday to leave a 5-month-old boy, who was found after disappearing two weeks ago, in custody with the Department of Children and Families.

Kingston Simmons and his mother, Shumia Barker, disappeared two weeks ago and were found by U.S. marshals in Mississippi on Monday.

Kingston and Barker were tracked down after Barker failed to meet with DCF case workers who have supervised Kingston since his birth.

Barker was supposed to be at the custody hearing on Wednesday, but she didn't show up. Officials said she told them that she missed her flight from Mississippi.

“She essentially decided not to fight?” WFTV reporter Kenneth Craig asked a DCF spokeswoman.

“That’s correct,” said Carrie Hoeppner.

DCF Officials said it was Barker’s last chance, for now, to get custody of her son.

Barker promised a judge on Tuesday that she would fly to Orange County for the hearing.

Barker’s attorney told a judge they’re no longer contesting the allegations against her.

The child will remain in foster care.

“We feel this child is exactly where he needs to be,” said Hoeppner.

Kingston was born premature. He weighs 10 pounds and, according to DCF, he requires both oxygen and an apnea monitor, in case he stops breathing sometime during the night.

According to the agency, Barker disappeared after a domestic violence report was filed by the Altamonte Springs Police Department involving Kingston's father, who is under a no-contact order.

“Before we look at returning him we want to look at assurances and safeguards to make sure it doesn't happen again,” said Hoeppner.

Barker will be allowed supervised visits with her son.

DCF officials said it is always their goal to get children back to their families in a year.
http://www.wftv.com/news/28752427/detail.html