In a tragic revelation, Selena, a 13-year-old girl from Florida, was discovered dead under horrifying conditions, allegedly at the hands of her adoptive mother, a former Department of Children and Families (DCF) worker. Authorities revealed that the child was not only malnourished but also suffered severe abuse, sparking fears for her younger sibling, who remains under the same woman’s care.
The case has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting significant failures within the foster care and adoptive systems. Selena’s birth mother, Jennifer Kellum, expressed her devastation and uncertainty about her younger daughter’s safety. Investigators found Selena unresponsive in a garage, her body bearing multiple wounds. She was reportedly restrained, unclothed except for a diaper, a scenario scarcely imaginable for any child.
The suspect, identified as Diana Natasha Mack, 34, is a former caseworker with the Florida DCF. She faces charges including first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and evidence destruction. Law enforcement officials allege that Mack attempted to obliterate evidence by using chlorine in the garage before alerting emergency services.
Kellum’s disappointment is palpable, given her ongoing communication with Mack about the possibility of reunifying her daughters with their siblings, who are in her custody. “I’m really hurt because she’s a DCF caseworker, so you should trust that then she wasn’t going to hurt any kids,” Kellum remarked, underscoring the breach of trust experienced by many in such situations.
After Selena and her sister were taken from Kellum in 2015, she made efforts to maintain contact, with their most recent meeting occurring in 2021. The sudden halt in conversations with Mack last May only fueled her concerns.
Currently, Mack remains detained in the Highlands County Jail without bond. This incident challenges the credibility and procedures of the DCF, calling for an urgent review to safeguard children within the system.
Jennifer Kellum’s immediate priority is the safety and return of her 12-year-old daughter. “She means everything to me. She needs to come home to her family. I want my child home,” she pleaded, as her fight for justice and family reunification continues.
This case serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities within child welfare systems. As this investigation unfolds, it will be crucial to address the lapses that allowed such a tragedy to occur, ensuring no other children face similar dangers. Immediate action and policy revisitation are imperative to restore confidence and protection among those the system is designed to serve.
Source: Fox13news
