Dwayne Fluker
67 Flagg Swamp Road
East Freetown MA, 02717
(508)525-4613
July 14, 2010
To Whom It May Concern:
I am the Brother of Davonda Fluker she is currently in the custody of Department of Child and Family services Fall River Massachusetts. With the help of her case worker (Connie Periera) Davonda has been in a very unhealthy situation of being mistreated, and isolated from the family for many years. Over the years many 51 A's had been filed, I'm not exactly sure that follow-ups or investigations had taken place. Davonda was placed in the Italian Home (without much of the family's knowledge) for a two year period around the age of 9. Therefore she was only allowed to have only my Aunt Denise Bailey and possibly her sons Joseph Bailey and Bobby Bailey on her call and visiting list for two years. Many barriers were set in place through the two parties, so that no one could have access to Davonda. Cousins as well as aunts Sheena and Andrea attempted to take custody of Davonda, but each of them were shut down, and Davonda was made to believe that they no longer wanted her and had "abandoned" her. So she was sent back to Denise's, where she "disrupted" after being mistreated again. Davonda was again bounced out of the home and sent to other homes in and around Fall River Massachusetts.
In between, personally confronted Connie Periera and her supervisor during a meeting that I received after writing a long letter to the Ombudsmans office, and the Governor's office. Sheena wrote a letter stating her experience with Connie as Davonda's worker. Sheena can attest to the fact that Connie has made statements saying "why should anybody want Davonda" and stating negative things about Davonda's family. In my letters I asked for Davonda's case to be transferred to a different office (Boston) with a different worker. Primarily one who can be more sensitive to families and children in this type of situation, and who is willing to carry out the DCF mission statement "reuniting children with families."
Currently Davonda has been excited and asking to attend the family cookout. Connie has rejected her request. She's asking to speak to, and see her family, and Connie continues to reject her requests, asking her "why" she would want to see or be with her family, in addition to referring her back to Denise as the family member she can have contact with.
In close contact with the Ombudsmans office, and Joanne McGovern (some form of an assistant) is aware of everything happening up to this date. She guided us through steps for trying to obtain custody of Davonda. We forwarded all written documents that were requested by DCF, 7 months ago. Recently DCF has informed us that our received paperwork has expired on their time (as Connie held on to the paperwork and did not proceed), and they would like for us to white out dates, write new dates, and resubmit. Well we refuse to play this game with DCF, and Joanne has informed us that her office needs to receive letters in regards to this case.
Davonda is our family, and upon our mother's passing, the promise to Gayle that we would do everything possible to make sure Davonda has a safe healthy home. With Connie having control of this case, she's made this very impossible. Davonda is currently expressing alot of frustration around how the system is treating her. She deserves more, and this story goes far beyond what I have said. Davonda knows the absolute truth! I cannot make a difference alone. We'd like her case to be transferred from the Fall River office altogether. We are not asking that you all try to get us custody; rather we just need someone less bias and more nurturing to an African American child's needs, to handle this case. Davonda is 14 years old now. Please help be Davonda's voice, because right now she is aware that her rights are being violated, but DCF has taken away her voice.
Sincerely,
Dwayne Fluker