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Foster Care Child Laid To Rest

4-Year-Old Dies While In State Custody

POSTED: 2:35 pm EST March 16, 2005
UPDATED: 7:51 pm EST March 16, 2005

As the family of Dontel Jeffers buried the 4-year-old Wednesday, many questions about his death remained unanswered.

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NewsCenter 5's Jack Harper reported that the Dorchester boy died just days after being placed in a foster home. Results from an official autopsy have not been released.

At the boy's funeral, the Rev. William Dickerson urged the Department of Social Services to come up with answers for the family.

"The main thing that was done means somebody actually took Dontel's life. And the perpetrator should be punished to the full extent, and DSS should rework its policies in reference of placement of children," said

When Dontel's mother lost custody because of a substance abuse problem, family members tried to gain custody of the boy. He was placed in a foster home where family members say he was abused before his death.

DSS Commissioner Harry Spence joined hundreds of mourners at the service.

"It is always hardest for us when it's one of our own who is suspected of doing the harm, but we are no more immune than any other," he said.

"He was a very joyful, vivacious young man, full of life, vibrant and spry. The love he shared with us, I told (the mourners) to share it with one another," said Dickerson.

The foster mother said the boy fell and hit his held while in her custody.


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