Preserving families but losing children

The Miami Herald investigates how 477 children died of abuse or neglect after falling through Florida's protective net.

Fraternal twins Tariji and Tavont’ae Gordon were born together but died two years, eight months, 24 days apart. One was buried in a potter’s field; the other was disposed of in a shallow grave covered by earth, plywood and a sheet of tin.

Tavont’ae suffocated at 2 months of age while sleeping on a couch with his mother, Rachel Fryer, who later tested positive for cocaine. Child-welfare authorities took Tariji from Fryer and put her in foster care. Then they gave her back, convinced Fryer had tamed her drug habit and neglectful ways. Three months later, Tariji was killed by a blow to the head.

Link to the article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram: http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/03/16/v-print/5653344/innocents-lost-preserving-families.html

Miami Herald investigative series is described here:  http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/03/16/3998100/from-the-executive-editor-adorable.html