(KRON) —Recent complaint against Santa Clara County’s Department of Child Protective Services and Department of Children and Family Services, Jordan Cam Walker’s brief existence was riddled with household neglect and adult concerns.
The six-year-old San Jose youngster was stabbed to death at home in summer 2023. Jordan’s uncle is accused of murder.
The county was sued last month by Morian Walker, Jordan’s grandfather, for failing to remove him from irresponsible family members. Even though Walker warned CPS agents and tried to get child custody through Santa Clara County courts, the suit claims CPS agents placed the youngster in hazardous homes.
The Mercury News published Costanzo Law Firm’s wrongful death and civil rights case.
The lawsuit alleges that CPS received “numerous credible complaints and reports that Jordan was living in a dangerous environment, both while in his mother’s care, and later, when placed with his great-grandmother.”
After bringing a bag of his mother’s methamphetamine to school, Jordan was taken from her. Attorneys say neighbors saw Jordan left alone outside for long hours when he was placed in his great grandmother’s home.
Jordan was often observed on neighbors’ Ring cameras riding his bike at 2 and 3 a.m., sometimes many nights. The lawsuit says the flat was a constant stream of drug users and homeless individuals, including Nathan Addison, Jordan’s maternal half-uncle and probable murderer.
San Jose Police Department investigators said Addison stabbed Jordan and his great grandmother, 71-year-old Delphina Turner, to death in the residence on August 4, 2023.
Just weeks before the double homicide, Addison, 28, was released from jail. Attorneys said Turner let Addison dwell in her apartment with Jordan despite his mental instability, drug misuse, and crime.
Jordan’s only steady support was Walker, according to the lawsuit. The claim says Morian (Walker) bought Jordan’s stroller, all his clothes, shoes, and toys until his death. He failed to get custody of his grandchild to protect him.
His mother entered the Parisi House on the Hill, a drug house, shortly after Jordan was born.
women can stay with their babies at a Bernal Road alcohol rehab center.
The suit alleges that Jordan brought a package of methamphetamine to Washington Elementary School on February 10, 2023, less than six months before his death, and claimed his teacher his mother gave it to him. Schools phoned police.
The decision was reached by Santa Clara County’s Child Protective Services, Department of Social Services, and Department of Family and Children’s Services.
Attorneys say Jordan is at Turner’s home.
Authorities were aware of the family’s issues, as stated in the Investigation Narrative by social worker Kimmie Tran. “The generational history of substance use, mental health, and criminal history indicates a risk for the family environment the child is exposed to.”
County officials reportedly knew Turner worked full-time for NASA. Attorneys said they didn’t inquire who watched Jordan while Turner was at work or who resided in the two-bedroom apartment occasionally.
The suit claims Jordan wandered his neighborhood alone at night.
Morian Walker was outraged that his grandson was placed in Turner’s house after social workers were assured Walker had a stable environment for Jordan and Jordan liked his grandfather.
Attorneys said Teana Box “reassured Mr. Walker Sr. that the placement was only temporary until they figured things out on their end.”
On June 26, 2023, Department of Family and Children’s Services staff advised Jordan to stay with his mother. On July 17, 2023, his mother tested positive for meth. A judge put Jordan into protective custody with Turner and set a new court date for August 14, 2023.
Jordan and Turner “were senselessly killed by Nathan Addison,” the lawsuit says, on August 4, 2023.
“Jordan was tragically killed at his home. This resulted from the county’s negligence in protecting Jordan. Santa Clara County and its workers violated Jordan’s civil rights by putting him in risk.
Lawsuit defendants include Santa Clara County and its departments. Damion Wright, CPS director; Wendy Kinnear-Rausch, deputy director; Teana Box, DCFS social worker; Sharhonda McGowanhenry, DCFS social worker; Candace Tejuco, CPS worker; and Kimmie Tran, DCFS social worker, are also defendants.
Santa Clara County jail has Addison awaiting trial.
Why Was Addison Out Of Custody When Jordan Died?
Addison faced five criminal charges from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office. Due to the court’s Mental Health Diversion program, no cases were tried.
In the three years before the double homicide, Addison was charged with burglary, drug possession, attempted arson, theft, threats, and knife possession. Court records suggest Addison carried big blades with every arrest.
Judges suspended all of Addison’s criminal proceedings and redirected him into mental health treatment programs and out of detention. Prosecutors failed to imprison Addison in June 2023.
Court records placed Addison at moderate-to-low risk for future violence. His San Jose home was Muriel Wright center until he tried to burn it down in February 2022. After they removed his knives, Addison became upset and burned his clothing, according to employees.
In the first half of 2022, Dr. Carolyn Murphy evaluated him in prison. Murphy said Addison’s bipolar condition caused mania, sadness, and impulsivity.