How Responsible is DHR for These Four Deaths?

 

Two of these children died in DHR custody. One child died while DHR was reportedly trying to find her. The fourth child's status with DHR is unknown, but read on for details...

1 & 2 - At the top of the collage are Haven and Roman Hartline who died together in 2018. Both children had been taken from their biological parents in Red Bay three and one-half years before they were killed in a reckless accident while in the custody of their latest foster caregiver. Franklin County DHR had refused to end the legal custody of the Hartlines and allow the children to be adopted.

3 - At bottom left is Serenity Irene Renfroe who died in 2016 at the hands of her mother's boyfriend. The mother had been convicted of child endangerment earlier in Marion County relating to her husband's sister's children. Reportedly, family of both parents had notified DHR of their suspicions that Serenity was being abused, as had a physician. Haley Rose Renfroe made a plea deal in Franklin County, did time in community corrections, and is now residing again in Marion where she is currently in jail on a minor charge.

4 - At bottom right is Amasia Faith Stewart who died at the hands of her father in 2023. Shannon Stewart had previously been arrested in Walker County for abuse of a child. Now both Stewart and his squeeze/baby mama have been charged with child abuse in cases involving their two surviving children. Facebook photos show one of the two older children not treated for a medical condition. Where was DHR in Winston County?

Is DHR understaffed? Certainly. Is that all that's hampering that organization from being effective and saving lives? No.

We have to redo our State policy and our way of thinking when it comes to what many call the Blood Family Movement. Blood doesn't make a father or a mother. Pass "One Strike and You're Out" laws. It's not a Draconian policy - it's a life saving policy.