NAOMI WHITECROW - 2 yo (2009) - Enid OK

Alicia Taylor, of Enid, blames the Oklahoma Department of Human Services for contributing to the January 2009 death of her former foster child.



Taylor cared for Naomi Whitecrow
and her baby brother, Johnny, from the time Naomi was 14 months old
until she was 19 months old. Naomi was "happy, healthy and thriving”
when DHS took the children from her home, Taylor says.

Less than six months later, Naomi was dead. The state medical
examiner’s office performed an autopsy and found recent scrapes and
bruises on her face, chest, back, legs, right buttock and head, along
with numerous old and new scabs.Nearly a year after Naomi’s death, police arrested Amy L. Holder, 38, of Edmond,
Naomi’s foster mother for the last four months of her life, on a charge
of felony child abuse. Holder’s preliminary hearing is scheduled to
begin May 3."My question is: ‘Where was DHS?’” Taylor said. "Why weren’t they checking on her?”Actually, those are just two of many questions that surround the death
of Naomi Whitecrow, who died Jan. 20, 2009, at the age of 2.Even the cause of her death is a mystery to some, which is why it took so long for Holder to be charged.Employees of the state medical examiner’s office spent six months
trying to figure out what killed Naomi. Ultimately, they concluded
Naomi died "under suspicious circumstances,” but listed the means of
death as "undetermined” and the cause of death as "unknown.”After interviewing numerous witnesses, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation forwarded the autopsy documents, videos and photographs to nationally known Indiana pathologist Dean A. Hawley in mid-September and asked for a second opinion.After reviewing the records, Dr. Hawley issued a report Oct. 5 that
said the cause of death was blunt force injury to the head, abdomen and
extremities.Hawley is the pathologist who examined the exhumed body of Kelsey Smith-Briggs
in a highly publicized 2005 child death case. In that case, Hawley said
2-year-old Kelsey had been sexually assaulted after the Oklahoma medical examiner was unable to reach that conclusion.Cherokee Ballard, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma medical examiner’s
office, said she doesn’t know what special talents or equipment Dr.
Hawley might have that would enable him to reach conclusions in cases
where Oklahoma’s state pathologists cannot. Hawley did not return calls
seeking comment.District Attorney Rob Hudson, whose jurisdiction includes Logan County
where Naomi’s death occurred, said the OSBI investigation was further
along when Dr. Hawley reviewed the death and he thinks Hawley may have
had more investigative material available to him when he was asked to
give his opinion.Foster mom defended

Scott Adams, Holder’s attorney, denies Holder had anything to do with Naomi’s injuries or death."Absolutely not,” Adams said. "She’s a great woman and a great mother and a great foster mother.”Adams said Holder has had two previous foster children and three
children of her own, and there has never been any indication she was an
abuser. The previous foster children are no longer in the home, he said.So how does Holder explain the injuries?OSBI agent Lynda Stevens
interviewed Holder more than two months after the death and reported
Holder told her Naomi suffered from "significant emotional and physical
problems” from the moment she took the girl into her home in
mid-September 2008.The agent said Holder described Naomi as "self-destructive,” and said
the little girl "picked at her skin to the point she would cause her
skin to bleed” and "had sores on her body that would not heal because
she wouldn’t stop picking at her skin.”Naomi had trouble walking, would fall 20 to 30 times a day, repeatedly
tried to gobble food whole and would grab stuff from the trash and
attempt to eat it, Stevens reported Holder as saying.Holder said she performed the Heimlich maneuver on Naomi multiple
times, including about five to six times the week leading up to her
death, the agent reported.Holder also told the agent Naomi stopped sleeping at night during the
six weeks leading up to her death and "would scream and cry when it was
time for bed and would cry throughout the entire night.”DHS was told, woman says

Holder said she informed Naomi’s DHS caseworkers about the problems she
was experiencing and asked them to find another placement because she
didn’t think she could meet the child’s needs, the agent said.Her requests went ignored, she told the agent.Holder also told the agent she took Naomi to a pediatrician five days
before the child’s death, but she didn’t feel the doctor addressed her
concerns because all the doctor prescribed were a steroid lotion and
steroid body wash for dry skin, and medicine for constipation.Holder, a stay-at-home mom, said she put Naomi down in a portable crib
the night of Jan. 19, 2009, and woke up the next morning to find her
dead. She said her husband, Michael, was out of town working that
night, the agent reported.Taylor, Naomi’s previous foster mother, said Naomi was a happy, playful
child when she had her and "it doesn’t make any sense” that she could
become the child Holder described in just two to six months.Taylor said DHS workers picked Naomi and her baby brother up from her
home in July 2008 for an attempted reunification with their mother at Chi Hullo Li Rehabilitation Center, a Choctaw Nation substance abuse family treatment center in Talihina, Taylor said.The reunification didn’t work out and the Department of Human Services
then made the decision to split the children up and place them in
separate homes — one in Edmond and the other in Guthrie, Taylor said.The OSBI reported it interviewed six Chi Hullo Li employees and two day care workers who were around Naomi while she was with her mother at the treatment center.All described Naomi as a normal child who had no injuries and who would
walk, run, play, talk and feed herself without choking, an agent said.Taylor said she doesn’t understand the decision to split the siblings
up because she repeatedly made it clear to DHS workers that she would
like both children back if the opportunity arose, and DHS claims to
have a policy of trying to keep siblings together.Likewise, Taylor said she doesn’t understand why DHS workers didn’t
bring Naomi back to her when Holder asked them to find another
placement.Holder’s attorney said he has no idea why DHS workers didn’t take one
or both children back to Taylor. He said the workers initially asked
Holder if she would take both children, but the boy had some special
needs that Holder didn’t think she could handle well.Beth Scott, spokeswoman for DHS, said she couldn’t discuss specific cases. DHS and the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth are performing reviews of actions by DHS employees during the days leading up to Naomi’s death.

GUTHRIE, Oklahoma -- A Logan County foster mother accused of neglect made her initial appearance Tuesday afternoon in Guthrie.
Amy Holder was not alone Tuesday when she made her initial court appearance. About 50 supporters-all wearing purple ribbons- were also in the courtroom. No one wanted to go on camera but said they were there to show they cared.
Holder is charged with one count of child abuse. Prosecutors believe she beat 2-year-old Naomi Whitecrow to death in January 2009. Naomi lived with Holder for four months.
Authorities believe she played a role in the death of the 2-year-old Naomi Whitecrow in January 2009. According to a court affidavit, Holder claims the child was withdrawn, had problems talking, eating and walking. However, an agent with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation claims he talked to several people involved in the case and they report the child was fine before she was placed in Holder's care.
"There have been some concerns expressed by the Oklahoma Child Death Review Board about the facts in the case in that there was some suspension that there may have been criminal activity involved in it," Rob Hudson, Logan County District Attorney, said.
For eight months, the OSBI looked into the case. Their findings were turned over to the district attorney's office in Logan County where last week prosecutors decided to charge Holder with child abuse.
"A case like this involving the death of a child is disturbing," said Hudson. "OSBI has invested a lot of man hours in this case investigating this case. This is the largest case report I have ever seen in my career as prosecutor, very in depth."
Holder's attorney, Scott Adams, calls the case "ludicrous." He says the child was sick and when his client called DHS to report her concerns, she was told there was no place else to put her.
Holder is free on $100,000 bond. Her attorney says she has three children of her own, but they won't be removed from the home.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May.

The biological parents of a 2-year-old girl who died while she was in foster care has sued the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and the foster parents.Kala Whitecrow and Antoine Jones alleged that DHS employees "suspected or knew" Amy and Michael Holder's home was dangerous before Naomi Whitecrow died Jan. 20, 2009. The lawsuit seeks more than $10,000 in damages.The medical examiner's office found scrapes, bruises and scabs on Naomi's body but didn't determine a cause of death. An Indiana pathologist who analyzed the autopsy report for investigators listed the cause as blunt force trauma.Amy Holder has been charged with child abuse and faces a Nov. 29 preliminary hearing.Her attorney, Scott Adams, says Holder denies any wrongdoing and says the child was brought to her in poor condition.DHS officials had no comment.

State prosecutors said 39-year-old Amy Holder is responsible for the death of a foster child.Naomi Whitecrow, 2, was place in Holder's care in September 2008.She was found dead in her crib in January 2009, police said.The last doctor to see Whitecrow alive told a judge today she did not report Holder to authorities because she "Gave her the benefit of the doubt."Doctors are required by law to report child abuse if they suspect it.Holder's attorney said that Holder reached out to the Department of Human Services numerous times with concerns of the toddler's welfare.On Tuesday, a doctor from Indiana told a judge the toddler died from blunt force trauma to the head and abdomen.Holder's arraignment is set for Dec. 3.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 9:00 AM JURY TRIAL (set 9-20 thru 9-30)(JTI)

Holder, Amy L

Stephen R Kistler

http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/GetCaseInformation.asp?submitted=true&viewtype=caseGeneral&casemasterID=47172&db=Logan

Tweet from Amy Holder's attorney.

Just got jury selected in St vs Amy Holder. Logan co. Trial starts 9am tomorrow
14 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone

http://twitter.com/#!/superflyadams/statuses/116286067749044225

GUTHRIE, Okla. -- A foster
mom is facing a charge of abuse in connection to the death of child. Amy
Holder, 40, was charged with child abuse after 2-year-old Naomi
Whitecrow died in her home in January 2009.
Her trial started Tuesday with jury selection.
Opening arguments are set to begin Wednesday morning.




"There's no evidence. She
didn't do anything wrong. She never hurt this child. No one ever saw her
hurt the child. She didn't do anything," Holder's attorney Scott Adams said.

Holder told investigators she found Naomi and she wasn't breathing.
She then attempted CPR and called 911.
The
Logan County District Attorney's Office said Naomi had numerous
injuries including "blunt force trauma" and "multiple contusions and
abrasions" all over her body.

When interviewed by authorities, Holder told them Naomi had significant emotional and physical health problems.

According to the OSBI, other people interviewed, including a former
foster parent, contradict that saying Naomi was a happy and healthy
child.
The Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office never determined an exact cause of death.
Investigators said an out-of-state expert determined the child died of blunt force trauma to her head and body.

"I
expect for Amy to be acquitted and she'll go about her life. I mean,
it's already a black cloud over her head and hopefully we'll be able to
remove it," Adams said.

The Logan County District Attorney's office isn't commenting on the case until the trial wraps up.
http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-foster-mom-facing-abuse-charges-in-child-death-20110921,0,4615962.story

Oklahoma Department of Human Services worker testifies in trial concerning foster child's death
Edmond foster parent has been charged in the death of a child she was caring for in 2009.

BY TIFFANY GIBSON tgibson@opubco.com
Published: September 23, 2011

— Attorneys cross-examined a state child welfare worker Thursday in the child abuse trial of Amy Holder. Holder is accused of abusing Naomi Whitecrow, 2, who died after four months in foster care with Holder, of Edmond.

Holder has been charged with felony child abuse in connection with the death. Investigators said Naomi had been living with Holder for four months before her death on January 20, 2009, at 7751 Prairie View Road in Edmond.
The Oklahoma medical examiner's office found recent scrapes and bruises on Naomi's face, chest, back legs, right buttock and head, as well as old and new scabs.
Her death was first ruled undetermined, but an Indiana pathologist was able to review the evidence and reported the girl died of blunt-force injury to the head, abdomen and extremities.
The trial for Holder began this week with jury selection Tuesday and opening statements Wednesday.
Prosecutors called Lashelle Humphreys, a Department of Human Services worker, to the stand Thursday to talk about her interaction with the child and her foster parents.
Humphreys said she became involved in the case in 2008 when DHS was asked to intervene when a baby boy tested positive for cocaine at a hospital.
She said the mother, Kayla Whitecrow, also had cocaine and marijuana in her system, according to medical staff.
As the primary worker on the case, Humphreys said Kayla Whitecrow's two children, including Naomi, were removed from the household in February 2008. They were placed with foster parent Alicia Taylor in Garfield County, she said.
When Kayla Whitecrow checked into the Chi Hullo Li Rehabilitation Center, a Choctaw Nation substance abuse facility, to receive treatment, her two children were placed there with her, Humphreys testified.
A facility worker testified Thursday that Naomi seemed healthy when she was placed there. With only two incident reports of her smashing her finger and hitting her head on a water fountain, the woman said she seemed like a normal child.
Another worker who used to interact with Naomi said she didn't have a problem eating or walking.
“She would play with her little brother and put her face on his,” the worker said. “She was a sweet little girl.”
Humphreys told the jury many times that DHS has a policy to try to reunite families; therefore, she made a plan to help the parents receive treatment.
Scott Adams, Holder's attorney, said that his client began fostering Naomi in September 2008 after Kayla Whitecrow left the facility and abandoned her children.
He said Holder believed the girl might have been abused because she would shake and act distant. Adams said this was made known to DHS, however, they proceeded to try and reunite the girl with their birth mother.
Humphreys testified that dealing with Holder was often difficult because of her demands. She said she tried to organize visits between Naomi and her biological mother, but Holder would always cancel the plans.
Adams said that Holder was caring for three other children at the time and needed more notice to plan visits.
He questioned Humphreys' concern for Naomi, asking why she never visited them.
She testified that she only spent five minutes with Naomi at a Christmas party in December 2008, but noticed that her body language seemed distant.
“She kind of looked through me,” Humphreys said. “Her eyes looked hollow. She looked sad.”


Read more: http://newsok.com/oklahoma-department-of-human-services-worker-testifies-in-trial-concerning-foster-childs-death/article/3606733#ixzz1YmwmJ8EZ

Week one wraps up in Amy Holder case

The state of Oklahoma called six witnesses to the stand in the Amy Holder case on Friday inside the Logan County court house.

Holder was the foster mom for 2-year-old Naomi Whitecrow when she died in Holder’s home on January 20, 2009.

The trial started Tuesday with jury selection and opening arguments were heard on Wednesday. The 12-person jury includes eight females and four males. The two alternate jurors are females as all 14 could be seen writing on note pads throughout the week.

The Logan County District Attorney’s Office said Naomi had numerous injuries including “blunt force trauma” and “multiple contusions and abrasions” all over her body, but Holder’s high-profile attorney says she is innocent.

“There’s no evidence. She didn’t do anything wrong. She never hurt this child. No one ever saw her hurt the child,” attorney Scott Adams said.

Holder has been charged with felony child abuse in connection with the death. Investigators said Naomi had been living with Holder for four months before her death.

The Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office never determined an exact cause of death, but an Indiana pathologist was able to review the evidence and reported the girl died of blunt-force injury to the head, abdomen and extremities.

The state called a daycare worker, a foster-mother who housed Whitecrow’s younger brother, a DHS case worker, a case worker with SoonerCare and a pediatrician among others on day four of the trial.

Guthrie News Page was inside the court room on Friday as witnesses were asked the well-being of Naomi months and days before her passing.

Holder, who is a mother of three children, began fostering Naomi in September 2008 after Kayla Whitecrow, Naomi’s mother, checked into a substance abuse facility.

DHS became involved in the case in 2008 when asked to intervene when a baby boy, Naomi’s younger brother, tested positive for cocaine at a hospital.

The trial is set to resume on Monday at 9:00 a.m.

http://guthrienewspage.wordpress.com/2011/09/25/week-one-wraps-up-in-amy-holder-case/

Amy Holder takes stand on day eight of trial

September 29, 2011

Amy Holder’s defense team weighed their options back-and-forth on whether or not to allow the defendant to take the witness stand. On Thursday, the team decided to allow Holder to take the stand.

Holder has been charged with felony child abuse in connection with the death of two-year-old Naomi Whitecrow, who died after four months in foster care with Holder.

Holder could face up to life and/or one year in the county jail and a fine between $500 and $5000.00, or both.

The court room was filled with an estimated group of 45 supporters for Holder, who was on the stand for nearly three hours, including 90 minutes of cross-examination by Logan County Assistant District Attorney Vincent Antonioll on day eight of the trial.

Holder, 39 of Edmond, testified the morning of January 20, the day Naomi died, that she tried to verbally wake Naomi up, but notice she did not wiggle and felt cold. Holder said she then put the child in her bed to try to warm her up, but realized her eyes were partially open and closed. She then went to the kitchen called 911 and performed CPR until authorities arrived. Naomi was announced dead shortly after.

Upon being cross-examined by prosecutors, Holder, who wiped tears away throughout being questioned, said she left Naomi in her bedroom while she went and laid down in the living room around 2:30 a.m. and notice Naomi several hours later.

Prosecutors accused Holder of using multiple fans to drown out the noise that Naomi was making as Holder laid in the other room.

Guthrie News Page was in the court room when the prosecutors and the defense team, led by Scott Adams, relived the last few days up until the death with Holder, that included a trip to a motor cross event and the zoo days prior to January 20th.

Her death was first ruled undetermined, but an Indiana pathologist was able to review the evidence and reported the girl died of blunt-force injury to the head, abdomen and extremities.
Neither attorney was able for comment due to a gag order that was put into effect earlier in the week by the judge.

Day nine of the trial is set to begin Friday morning at 9:00 a.m.

http://guthrienewspage.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/amy-holder-takes-stand-on-day-eight-of-trial/

superflyadams Scott Adams
Closing arguments 10:30 am Monday Oct 3rd. St vs Amy Holder. Logan Co Ct House #onthemuscle
19 hours ago

http://twitter.com/#!/superflyadams

Edmond woman convicted of child abuse in foster child's death, jury recommends $5,000 fine


6:03 a.m. CDT, October 4, 2011

GUTHRIE, Okla. (AP) — A Logan County jury has convicted and Edmond woman of child abuse in the death of her foster child and recommended she be fined $5,000.

The jury deliberated for about 10 hours Monday before finding 40-year-old Amy Holder guilty of child abuse in verdict returned just before midnight. The jury rejected prosecutor's request of a 25-year prison sentence and instead recommended the fine.


Defense attorneys said afterward that Holder will be ready to pay the fine when she's formally sentenced later this year. Prosecutors declined comment.

Holder was charged in the 2009 death of 2-year-old Naomi Whitecrow. An autopsy was not able to determine a cause of death — but prosecutors argued that the girl died of blunt force trauma to the head and her body.


http://www.kfor.com/news/sns-ap-ok--fostercare-death,0,4727870.story

Why in the world would the jury find her guilty of child abuse and only recommend a $5,000 fine and no jail time. That doesn't make any sense to me. It's obvious that Holder abused that poor little girl so if they find her guilty, why not give her jail time. I hope the judge is able to impose time.

Foster Mom's Attorney: 'No Winners In This Case'

Logan County Jury Finds Amy Holder Guilty Of Child Abuse

POSTED: 12:12 am CDT October 4, 2011

GUTHRIE, Okla. -- After more than 10 hours of deliberations on Monday, a Logan County jury has found Amy Holder guilty of child abuse.

Holder was accused of beating her foster daughter, Naomi Whitecrow, in 2009. The girl died, but an autopsy was unable to determine what caused her death.
Prosecutors said they did not have enough evidence to charge Holder with murder.
The Edmond woman's trial began two weeks ago and wrapped up Monday afternoon afternoon after the jury heard from dozens of witnesses. Holder also took the stand in her own defense.
The courtroom was packed with Holder supporters, many of whom wept when the verdict was read.
Amy Holder said nothing as she walked out of the courtroom. Her attorney, Scott Adams, has maintained his client is innocent, but said this is a verdict they can live with.
"Obviously what the verdict told us is there are no winners in this case," said Adams. "Our heart goes out to the Whitecrows and Naomi and all of her family." Adams added, "It's still a very sad case in that we have a 2-year-old that is no longer with us."
Prosecutors and the Whitecrow family declined to comment following the verdict.
The jury recommended a fine of $5,000. Holder could have been sentenced up to life in prison. Formal sentencing in the case will take place in November.
Holder's attorney said his client will most likely pay that fine and hopefully, begin to move forward.
"Let this be over," said Adams. "Maybe everyone can heal now. That's what we hope."

Read more: http://www.koco.com/news/29380180/detail.html#ixzz1Zw8Svt7N

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A letter-writing campaign to a
judge calls for more punishment in the case of a foster mom found guilty
of child abuse.The Cheyenne-Arapaho tribe is behind the campaign
because they want Amy Holder to spend time in jail for the death of
two-year-old Naomi Whitecrow.The family of Whitecrow said they feel the jury put a price tag on the life of Naomi.The jury found Holder guilty of child abuse and recommended she pay a $5000 fine instead of jail time.Augustine Redhat, Naomi's aunt, is devastated by the jury recommendation "It's a slap in the face because I had faith in the court system. The evidence was there."Redhat says the Cheyenne-Arapaho tribe is supporting the family with a letter-writing campaign."We need to send a message: This is not going to happen. You are not going to walk free when you abuse a child,"Rosemary Stephens drafted the letter and is asking everyone to sign it and send it to Logan County.The letter asks Judge Stephen Kistler to give Amy Holder a 25-35 year prison sentence despite the jury recommendation."One letter in the hands of 10 million people and all of a sudden you're not just one person anymore," Stephens said.In 24 hours, the tribe reports sending 100 letters to the judge.Holder's attorney said he sympathizes with the family, but the jury has made a decision.Legal analysts say the law does not allow the judge to increase the punishment recommended by a jury. Formal sentencing is set for November 7th.
http://www.news9.com/story/15628001/letter-writing-campaign-begun-in-child-abuse-death-case

OKLAHOMA CITY —
Changes are needed in child abuse cases to make offenders more accountable, a state tribal leader said.

Relatives of Naomi Whitecrow, still in shock over a jury’s recommended
sentence of a $5,000 fine in the 2-year-old’s death, gathered to
memorialize their loved one and campaign for justice during Wednesday’s
rally at the state Capitol.

Last month, a Logan County jury found Amy L. Holder, 40, of Edmond,
guilty on a felony child abuse charge filed in January 2010. Naomi was
in Oklahoma Department of Human Services custody and was placed in the
defendant’s foster home in Logan County at the time of her death.

In April 2009, an OSBI investigator interviewed the defendant, who said
she found Naomi not breathing at about 7:20 a.m. on Jan. 20, 2009,
according to the affidavit for an arrest warrant. She called 911. She
performed CPR on Naomi until EMS arrived; EMS attempted to revive Naomi
but was unsuccessful.

Autopsy photographs showed multiple marks, injuries and scars throughout her body, according to the affidavit.

Based on the autopsy report and photographs, Dr. Dean Hawley, a
forensic pathologist with the Indiana University School of Medicine,
concluded in September 2009 that the cause of death was blunt force
injury to the head, abdomen and extremities, according to the affidavit.

The defendant, who entered a plea of not guilty, said Naomi had
significant emotional and physical health problems from the beginning of
her placement, according to the affidavit. Naomi was withdrawn and had
problems talking, eating and walking.

On one occasion, the defendant said she caught Naomi trying to eat a
plastic toy, and on another she attempted to eat a baby wipe, according
to the affidavit. The defendant said she had to attempt what she
referred to as the Heimlich maneuver on Naomi multiple times.

Felony child abuse is punishable by imprisonment for up to life and/or
one year in the Logan County jail and a fine of $500-$5,000 or both. At
the end of the trial, which lasted more than two weeks, the jury
returned a guilty verdict and set the punishment at $5,000.

Formal sentencing is scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday.

Speaking on the south side of the Capitol, Cheyenne-Arapaho Gov. Janice
PrairieChief-Boswell said supporters were rallying for Naomi and for
other children in Oklahoma, both past and future victims of child abuse,
and those who suffer an untimely death.

Naomi died an extremely painful death, which will not be in vain, PrairieChief-Boswell said.

“If there is any silver lining in this tragic cloud it is that we fight
for justice in her name,” she said. “Many changes need to be made in
the state of Oklahoma when it comes to child abuse cases. I encourage
you to stand with us in our mission to enact those changes and to make
those responsible for these precious children’s deaths accountable.”

Augustine Red Hat, one of Naomi’s aunts, said family members are asking
for justice, just as any other in their situation would be doing. Her
life of memories that can never be replaced — her first love, her first
heartbreak, the holidays — was worth much more than $5,000, Red Hat
said.

“We are shocked at the verdict and appreciate all of your support,” she
said. “Hopefully with campaigning like this and rallying like this all
together that this won’t happen again to children, not just our tribe,
children all over the world.”

Naomi’s aunt Debbie Whitecrow said the support from the dozens of individuals who attended the rally means a lot to the family.

“I’m hoping my niece is not going to go unheard,” she said before it
started. “She is going to be missing out on a lot of life. We want to
keep her memory going.”

Scott Adams, Holder’s attorney, said this was the type of case in which
there are no winners. Adams said there was absolutely no evidence
showing his client had anything to do with the death of this child.
Adams said based on that reality he plans to ask the court to waive the
$5,000 fine.

Adams questioned the timing of the rally. He said his client is doing fine under the circumstances, coping as best she can.

Before deliberations began, the judge’s instructions to the jury
included listing child abuse elements. They are: First, a person
willfully/maliciously engaged in; second, harm/threatened harm; third,
to the health/safety; fourth, of a child under the age of 18; fifth, by a
person responsible for the child’s health/safety.

“Harm or threatened harm” includes but is not limited to non-accidental
physical/mental injury, neglect, failure/omission to provide protection
from harm or threatened harm.



CASE BACKGROUND

In February 2009, the Office of Juvenile System Oversight was alerted
to Naomi’s death, which occurred on Jan. 20, 2009, according to a review
by the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth and the Office of
Juvenile System Oversight.

On Feb. 20, 2008, Naomi was placed into OKDHS custody by Blaine County
District Court, which recognized that the child was eligible for tribal
enrollment, according to the review. Subsequently, Naomi was placed in
three separate OKDHS foster homes, including the defendant’s.
http://www.edmondsun.com/local/x471031093/Family-seeks-justice-for-2-year-old

Edmond Woman Ordered To Pay Fine After Child Abuse Conviction

Updated: Nov 07, 2011 5:55 PM CST
By News9.com

LOGAN COUNTY, Oklahoma -
A foster mother convicted of child abuse after a 2-year-old girl died in her care must pay a $5,000 fine.

Naomi Whitecrow died in 2009 while living with Amy Holder. A Logan County jury convicted Holder on October 4. Instead of jail time, jurors recommended the fine.

On Monday, a judge ordered Holder to pay $5,000. Her attorney said she is ready to pay immediately. The judge also said he had been inundated with hundreds of letters and emails from people asking for a harsher sentence for Holder. But, he said Oklahoma law mandates that he must enter a sentence imposed by the jury.

However, the District Attorney recommended 4 additional parameters and the judge agreed, requiring Holder to register as a violent offender for the next 10 years, pay $10,000 to the victim compensation fund, pay $150 to an OSBI fund and undergo child abuse counseling.

Naomi Whitecrow's family is outraged by the sentence. Kala Whitecrow, the child's mother, is suing Holder and her husband, as well as DHS for wrongful death and negligence. After the sentence was read, Whitecrow had an outburst in the courtroom and yelled at Holder. Whitecrow then left the courtroom in tears and got violently ill in the courthouse.

Supporters from the Cheyenne Arapaho Tribe rallied outside the courthouse. They say the extra parameters are not enough.

"No, it doesn't give me any comfort to know she is free to hurt another child," said Debby Whitecrow, Naomi's aunt.

Holder chose not to speak during or after her sentencing. Her attorney spoke instead.

"There's no winners in this case, it's a tragic, tragic ordeal," said Scott Adams, Holder's attorney. "We feel awful about it and extend our sympathies to the Whitecrow family. We're just trying to let Amy get on with her life at this point."

http://www.news9.com/story/15978529/edmond-woman-ordered-to-pay-fine-after-child-abuse-conviction

Poor Naomi Whitecrow did not receive justice. I can't believe the baby killer only received a $5,000 fine and then the judge added a little more on. I fear this woman will kill again if she's allowed around children.