I-Team Exclusive: Grandma calls out CPS after toddler killed

A 2-year-old child is dead, and according to a local grandmother, Child Protective Services could have protected her grandson.

“I just miss him,” said Shelby Mannino, grandmother. “I just miss him a lot.”

More >> I-Team Exclusive: Grandma calls out CPS after toddler killed

‘This Cannot Be My Life’: The ‘Nightmare’ of Foster Care in Indian Country

Brian Melendez’s life was about to change forever. In the winter of 1987, a domestic dispute erupted in a house on the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony in Reno, Nevada. As law enforcement and social workers descended on the scene, an already bad situation turned into chaos.

“I didn’t understand what was happening. All I knew was that there was arguing and fighting, and that my mother was all bloody and people were in handcuffs,” says Melendez.

More >> ‘This Cannot Be My Life’: The ‘Nightmare’ of Foster Care in Indian Country

Siblings separated while in foster care had a chance to spend time together this past week.

68 children participated in St. Jude's Camp to Belong.

More >> Siblings separated by foster care spend time together thanks to St. Jude's

Henderson man accused of sexually assaulting girl in foster care

A Henderson man was arrested last month after a girl in foster care told Las Vegas detectives she was afraid to report the man, her former therapist, for allegedly raping her over a four-year period, according to an arrest report.

On Feb. 19, Metropolitan Police Department officers arrested 43-year-old Marcelo Cristian Pastor at his Henderson home, dispatch records and Pastor’s arrest report show.

More >> Henderson man accused of sexually assaulting girl in foster care

District Judge Stefany Miley arrested on domestic violence charge

Clark County District Judge Stefany Miley was charged with battery domestic violence this weekend in connection with an incident involving her 18-year-old son, according to an attorney who called police.

Miley, who has served on the bench since 2005, faces one count under her maiden name Stefany Tewell, stemming from an incident that occurred Saturday, according to Las Vegas Municipal Court records.

More >> District Judge Stefany Miley arrested on domestic violence charge

Siblings separated in foster care celebrate the holidays together

Circus’ Adventuredome hosted St. Jude’s Ranch for Children’s their annual “Gift of Giving” for siblings separated in foster care, Saturday.

The event brought brothers and sisters, who live in different foster homes, together to celebrate the Holidays.

More >> Siblings separated in foster care celebrate the holidays together

Fake CPS worker tried tricking cops into helping her kidnap an infant, Nevada police say

It’s not uncommon for Child Protective Services workers to ask police for help removing a child from a home, according to a Las Vegas police spokeswoman.

But during an incident on Monday, a self-proclaimed social worker who called police for backup was a fraud — and officers realized it in time, police said.

More >> Fake CPS worker tried tricking cops into helping her kidnap an infant, Nevada police say

Police: Woman accused of posing as CPS worker in attempt to kidnap 3-week-old baby

Las Vegas police are investigating the attempted kidnapping of a 3-week-old baby by a woman who posed as a Child Protective Services worker.

On Monday around 12:30 p.m., a woman named Joanna Boyd, 39, called police, claiming to be a CPS worker and requesting officers assist with the emergency pickup of a baby. Officers responded to the location in the 4300 block of North Las Vegas Boulevard, near Craig Road.

More >> Police: Woman accused of posing as CPS worker in attempt to kidnap 3-week-old baby

Clark County OKs settlement with mother of raped foster child

Ashley’s son celebrated his 12th birthday last month, but to his mother it sometimes seems like he is so much older.

The boy, once outgoing, is now quiet and reserved to the point that his teachers bring it up to his mother, Ashley.

More >> Clark County OKs settlement with mother of raped foster child

Judge Humke temporarily suspended pending charges for allegedly mishandling cases

Washoe County Family Court Judge David Humke was temporarily suspended after he was again accused of mishandling child support and custody cases within in his department.

Humke, who’s served on the bench for about three-and-a-half years, was suspended with pay last week pending formal charges from the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline.

More >> Judge Humke temporarily suspended pending charges for allegedly mishandling cases

I-Team: Woman serving time for child abuse has book to fix foster system being sold online

Solander was convicted of beat and burning her three adopted daughters.  She also limited their food and bathroom use and did much more.

Solander was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 35 years. 

More >> I-Team: Woman serving time for child abuse has book to fix foster system being sold online

I-Team: Former employee for child abuse hotline says there are system flaws

The I-Team has reported on several specific child abuse cases this year. As with many of these stories, Child Protective Services was involved and the I-Team revealed flaws with these cases.

Now, the I-Team has an exclusive interview with a former employee who says one department at the agency needs to change.

More >> I-Team: Former employee for child abuse hotline says there are system flaws

Reno family court judge suspended, fined for violating state code

A Washoe County family court judge was suspended without pay for three months and fined $1,000 for violating the state’s judicial code of conduct.

The Reno Gazette Journal reported Friday that a consent order filed this week by the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline found that Judge David Humke mishandled child support cases and refused to discipline his former judicial assistant, who was accused of inappropriate behavior.

More >> Reno family court judge suspended, fined for violating state code

Las Vegas woman sent to prison for abusing adopted children

Janet Solander likely will die in prison for the years of torture she inflicted on three children she adopted.

At her sentencing Tuesday, when District Judge Valerie Adair ordered the 57-year-old Solander to serve 35 years to life behind bars, one of the girls said she could no longer find comfort in a mother figure.

More >> Las Vegas woman sent to prison for abusing adopted children

Douglas foster children leaving county

Douglas County children are being shipped off, out of their homes, their communities, and their schools, all because there are too few foster homes available in the county.

While there are only five foster homes in Douglas County, only two are available. In those, one only accepts babies, and the other only has one bed available. Two are at capacity and the third is only for temporary — known as respite — housing.

More >> Douglas foster children leaving county

Las Vegas woman convicted of abusing her adopted children

A Las Vegas woman faces a possible life sentence after jurors found her guilty of imposing years of abuse on her three adopted children.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Hamner said jurors made the right decision Tuesday when they convicted Janet Solander of all 46 counts she faced.

More >> Las Vegas woman convicted of abusing her adopted children

I-TEAM: Child abuse trial highlights errors possibly made by CPS

LAS VEGAS - Child Protective Services may not be living up to its name when it comes protecting children. A trial unfolding in Clark County this week highlights CPS' actions as a main point of contention.

According to a CPS worker, back in 2010, a Wednesday's Child segment that aired on 8 News NOW, sparked the attention of  Dwight and Janet Solander.

More >> I-TEAM: Child abuse trial highlights errors possibly made by CPS

Foster child of Janet Solander testifies in court Friday

LAS VEGAS - The trial for a woman accused of torturing her adoptive children, continued Friday.  Prosecutors say three children suffered for years at the hands of Janet Solander.

Solander and her husband Dwight adopted the girls. Dwight took a plea deal and will be sentenced in May.   According to prosecutors, even after repeated complaints were lodged against Child Protective Services, several other children were placed in the Solander's care.

More >> Foster child of Janet Solander testifies in court Friday

I-Team: Trial starts for mother accused of torturing adoptive kids

LAS VEGAS - The trial for Janet Solander, a woman accused of torturing her adoptive children, started Thursday, and the revelations made in court were not favorable to Child Protective Services.

During opening statements, prosecutors say three children suffered for years at the hands of their adoptive parents, Dwight and Janet and Solander. Dwight took a plea deal, but as prosecutors at Janet's trial spoke Thursday, they pointed out how CPS failed these children by failing to protect them and take action when people made complaints five times stating that the girls may have been in danger.

More >> I-Team: Trial starts for mother accused of torturing adoptive kids

Las Vegas man pleads guilty to abuse of adopted girls

A Las Vegas man pleaded guilty to three counts of child abuse with substantial bodily harm Wednesday, while his wife, the author of a book critical of Child Protective Services, faces trial for alleged torture of the couple’s three adopted daughters.


More >> Las Vegas man pleads guilty to abuse of adopted girls