UPDATE 10/7/08 - Alan Jones has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the strangulation death of Erin Maxwell. Jones is Erin’s adult stepbrother who was home alone with her at the time of her death. Also arrested were Erin’s father, Lindsey Maxwell, and her stepmother, Lynn Maxwell. They are each charged with six counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Alan Jones is being held on $100,000 cash or $250,000 surety bond. The Maxwells are each being held on $2500 cash or $5000 surety bonds. Warrants were issued Friday after indictments were handed down by a grand jury in the case.
Alan Jones, Lindsey and Lynn Maxwell
Our member RMiles has pics and video at his blog, Shadowscope - thanks, Richard, for the update!
Palermo, NY - Erin Maxwell died on August 29, 2008. She was eleven years old. This week her cause of death was ruled a homicide, but her family says that the medical examiner is wrong. They say that Erin’s death was a tragic accident caused by her roleplay of the opening scene from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. That movie opens with a young boy singing the pirate’s shanty “Hoist The Colours” with a noose around his neck. At the end of the scene, the child is hanged. Erin’s family says she must have been playing pirates.
But a child’s game doesn’t explain Erin’s official cause of death: homicide by asphyxia with sexual trauma as a contributing factor. I’m pretty sure that Erin Maxwell didn’t rape and strangle herself.
On the evening of August 29, Erin was at home alone with her stepbrother, Alan Jones, 27. Jones called 911 at about 5:20 p.m., saying that Erin had tried to kill herself. Jones told police that he had found Erin standing in her room, a green cord tied tightly around her neck. Jones further said that a rope was tied to the green cord and then attached to a screw on Erin’s window. Erin was alive, but only just.
Erin was taken to the hospital, where she died later that evening. She was survived by her father, Lindsey Maxwell, 35; her stepmother, Lynn Maxwell, 53; and her stepbrother Jones. She may also have had other siblings in the home, although I haven’t confirmed that. Erin’s mother lives in Nevada.
Almost immediately, Erin’s death was investigated as a homicide. For one thing, most eleven year olds don’t commit suicide. But that alone didn’t do it - the evidence of recent rape did. Erin wasn’t hanged; she was strangled. So it’s not likely she was singing “Hoist the Colours”. More likely, the little girl was praying for someone to save her.
When investigators arrived at the family home, they were appalled. Over 100 cats were in the house. The master bedroom was, by all appearances, a giant litter box. No trash removal service was in place, so months of accumulated trash was piled on the porch. The stench was overwhelming, and there was a three-foot pile of feces on the floor. Twelve dead kittens were being stored in the home’s freezer. Also inside the house were two chickens and a snake. Outside in a shed, police found an emu, a pot-bellied pig, several geese, and more chickens.
Makes you wonder why nobody called the Department of Social Services, right? Oh, except they did. Erin’s school hotlined her at least twice. The last visit, in 2006, was closed out because social workers said that the family was cooperating, and that conditions were not bad enough to remove Erin from the home.
And yet Erin had allegedly been seen eating out of the garbage at school and hiding food. Teachers have said they were washing Erin’s clothes themselves to help with the smell. She was terribly thin, and sometimes kids threw soap at her. But that wasn’t enough to get Erin help?
This poor baby reminds me of Rowan Ford.
The family has lawyered up. They say Erin’s death was a Johnny Depp-inspired accident. Their attorney is brushing off the rape findings, saying that the ought to be looking at her maternal family, since Erin visited her mother in Nevada from late June until early August.
But I noticed that the picture I’m using of Erin is the only one I could find that wasn’t a blur - and it was taken by her mother’s family in Nevada. The house in which Erin is sitting in that picture is clean. There is no rope around her neck. In the picture above, Erin looks happy. I’m wondering why they didn’t just go to court to keep Erin there. Did they not know things at home were so bad?
Fact of the matter is, Erin got home alive and just fine on August 11. Three weeks later, she was left alone with her adult stepbrother, was strangled and raped, and died. Johnny Depp didn’t do it. But maybe, just maybe, someone closer to Erin did.
Alan Jones, Lindsey Maxwell and Lynn Maxwell have all been named persons of interest in Erin’s death. Their house has been condemned by the city of Palermo. And their actions - or inactions - are being condemned here. You hateful bastards. Couldn’t you care a little bit more for Erin than to let her live like that? Couldn’t you care a little more than to let Erin DIE like that?
Shame on you, Lindsey and Lynn Maxwell. Shame on you, Oswego County DSS. Shame on you, Erin’s mother. Shame on everyone who thought it was being handled, or didn’t want to get involved. And shame on you, Alan Jones. Because I suspect you might have killed Erin to cover up your sins.
Nobody has yet been charged in Erin Maxwell’s murder.
Hippiepoet is using the eff word about this case in our forums with SoUncool - thanks!
68 responses so far ↓
Pages: [1] 2 » Show All
1
mjmsepm
Sep 28, 2008 at 4:25 pm -WTF!!! you cant tell me that 11year old beautiful little girl didnt say something when she was staying with her bio mom!!! They should all be held accountable!!!
2
CheekySweetie
Sep 28, 2008 at 4:58 pm -This right here is precisely why I am in school for social work. If more sensible, level-headed and yet empathetic people do not take over children’s services, this will become more and more common.
Rest in peace, Erin. You are safe and clean now, and you will never hunger for anything again. Justice will be yours.
3
Morbid
Sep 28, 2008 at 5:01 pm -Those same feelings that come up whenever I think of Rowan Ford come up when I read this story. She was 11-year-old for God’s sake. It boggles my mind to think that this girl lived this long, in the conditions she did, and no one helped her. Seriously, these are the stories that piss me off most. She wasn’t flying under any radars.
4
WhatThe
Sep 28, 2008 at 5:04 pm -Oh my God. Oh my God. I don’t think I have enough fingers to count the number of people who let this poor girl down. At least the teachers tried to help. It doesn’t sound like anyone else cared the least bit about this girl. Nice job DSS. NOT.
Cheekysweetie, hurry up and get out there, this world needs you.
5
CheekySweetie
Sep 28, 2008 at 5:07 pm -BTW I read that her bedroom door was chopped at the top so the adults could look in but she couldn’t see out, with a lock on the outside, and chicken wire further fencing her in it.
What the fuck is wrong with CPS to be in that home and not remove her? I just don’t get it!
6
Komak
Sep 28, 2008 at 5:15 pm -LOOKS LIKE CYA: http://www.wtvh.com/news/local/29687394.html
DSS records show that its investigation began within 24 hours of receiving an anonymous report from the State’s central registry in March 2006. DSS cannot receive child abuse reports at its local Mexico office. DSS must receive all its child abuse referrals from the statewide central registry, located in Albany. People can report suspected abuse to the registry anonymously, or they may use their name.
Unfortunately, when we receive an anonymous report, as we did in Erin’s case, we are unable to interview the potential witness who may be able to provide further important information.
Following DSS and State protocol, Erin’s safety and risk were assessed. An investigation was conducted, including initial and follow-up conversations with Erin. Erin was deemed to be safe… at the time the case was closed in May 2006. More than two years have passed, with no further child abuse or neglect reports that would lead DSS back to Erin’s house. As I have stated previously, there were no facts in any prior reports with the Maxwell family that could have predicted a homicide.
The death of a child is a tragedy that deeply affects all of the community. We understand that the public wants more information about how DSS was involved and what actions were taken. I assure you that information will be provided to Legislature Chairman Leemann and will be made public according to the process specified in Section 422-a of the NYS Social Services Law.
It is important to keep in mind that there are now two investigations underway: a DSS child fatality investigation, and the NYS Police and the District Attorney’s Office’s homicide investigation. We are dedicated toward helping bring the law enforcement investigation to a successful conclusion. For this reason, as difficult as the lack of information may be at times, we ask for the community’s and the news media’s patience until more details in Erin’s case can be responsibly released. Jon Dougherty reports on conditions in which Erin lived
7
Komak
Sep 28, 2008 at 5:17 pm -SOMEONE IS LYING….DSS
The image of 11 year old Erin Maxwell’s home is forever imbedded in Jackie Siver’s mind. Trash piled shoulder high on the porch, and old cat feces scattered on the ground. She reported the Maxwell’s to the Department of Social Services, but it was categorized as a “life-style change”.
Siver says the Maxwell’s were reported three times to D.S.S., and after all three investigations, Maxwell remained inside of the home. She’s working with Senator John Defrancisco to create a new bill to help prevent another child from going through what Erin Maxwell went through. It would be called Erin’s Law, and would toughen penalties for child endangerment laws.
http://www.wtvh.com/news/local/29641139.html
8
Komak
Sep 28, 2008 at 5:28 pm -Link with pics of the Maxwells and Jones, along with their lawyer…….and apparently their lawyer is running for FAMILY COURT JUDGE……..WTF……..
http://www.syracuse.com/news/i.....ake_s.html
9
Komak
Sep 28, 2008 at 5:35 pm -Hummm….posted on the 26th under the above news article;
To all posters here, I request your help. I ask you to take the energy, disgust and upset you have voiced here and share it with the officials!
I am seeking to get an audience before Senator DeFransisco and Senator hopeful Dave Renzi. If they are going to present a bill, Erin’s Law, then they should do so fully informed. I have already sent them an email fully describing some of the more unconscionable acts that deprive our children of protection.
I ask that you contact Senator DeFransisco at jdefranc@senate.state.ny.us or at his offices, (315) 428-7632; also contact Dave Renzi at (315) 216-4565 - ask that they meet with us, hear us out and consider our input in designing a Law that will actually protect our children.
A simple email or call to say you are aware a small contingent of protective mothers would like to meet with him, headed by Diana Sleiertin, and that as a voter concerned about our childrens’ welfare, you ask him to make time to meet with us.
Time is of the essence. Please make a call today.
Perhaps Erin’s death will not be in vain, and her legacy will be the protection of other innocents children.
Thank you.
ANOTHER POSTER:
As for Mr. Lanza….I believe you just lost your race sir. ANYONE that would step up and represent that form of humanity doesn’t deserve to represent OUR CHILDREN OF OSWEGO COUNTY as FAMILY COURT JUDGE.
10
Becca
Sep 28, 2008 at 5:38 pm -Okay, just so I’m reading that correctly..that is THREE FEET OF SHIT on the floor?!? I don’t care if it’s animal, human, or both. My son isn’t even three feet tall so I look at him and try to imagine the amount of poop on floor. Even if this poor beautiful child didn’t die, she lived in an awful place and deserved much better.
The best we can hope for now is the murderer comes clean and/ or everyone involved in that fucking family rots in hell, bcs anyone and everyone living in that “house” deserves our hatred.
11
Rhoni
Sep 28, 2008 at 6:12 pm -I was thinking this too..Why would he even take a case like this while seeking to be a family court Judge..It always amazez me how people think or don’t think for that matter..Without going into a life story I kow how family courts work I grew up in the system..I have very little good to say about the system..I moved around a lot was returned to an abusive family member even after I asked not to go back..They mess with the wrong families and do not protect the children that need it most..In their defense the caseworkers are given to big of a case load. To many cases ongoing..The government needs to give more funding..Hire more caseworkers, do more home visites..I was suppose to see my caseworker once a month..In actuality I saw him/her every six months to a year.
I want to thank Morbid and Imp for this site maybe it will help me get off my ass and do something about it..We can make a difference ..Reading all these stories almost makes me want to tell mine,if it would help…I am not ashamed of how I grew up ..It made me who I am today I just don’t talk about it a lot.I don’t want people to feel sorry for me..I don’t, it taught me alot..Anyway I am babbling here. I am glad I found DD this site is good therapy for me ~smiles~ Sorry to go on and on
12
Rhoni
Sep 28, 2008 at 6:21 pm -Its so sad the life that little girl had to live…..Cheeky I agree hurry and get out there ..These kids need a compassionate person helping them..I have TONS of respect for anyone who works with children ..Caseworkers,Foster parents,Probation Officers ect..Thank God or whoever you thank for people like you..
13
cnkc
Sep 28, 2008 at 6:54 pm -Rhoni, I am sorry (but not surprised) that you had a crappy experience in the system.
The description of this house does not indicate to me that these conditions developed overnight……
Every day I pray that the kids I’ve adopted can go on to be healthy adults. And I look at a sweet face like Erin’s and I always think, I could have taken one more…
Cheeky, you can’t finish your degree quick enough to suit me, either.
Take care you guys.
14
April
Sep 28, 2008 at 7:35 pm -Poor little girl. So many people failed to keep her safe and protect her. Even the school. They should have made more noise - until someone listened. These stories make me so sad.
15
Rhoni
Sep 28, 2008 at 7:36 pm -It makes my heart smile to know you adopted That is so awesome to open your home and heart to kids who need you…
Thank you but like I said it made me a better person as far as I am concerned..I would not wish it on another child but I handled it and am proud of myself in many ways..
16
Rhoni
Sep 28, 2008 at 7:40 pm -People need to get MORE involved..This is a very sad story..
17
Kitty
Sep 28, 2008 at 7:41 pm -Me too.
Morbid.. You typed what my heart was saying.
18
rmiles
Sep 28, 2008 at 7:42 pm -Becca, that’s correct. I’ve been keeping up with and writing about this case since shortly after Erin’s death and it has been described as 2-4′ of cat shit. I’ve corresponded with someone in the extended family that she stayed with over the summer as well and they are appalled at what has happened with Erin.
19
SoUncool
Sep 28, 2008 at 8:11 pm -Imp, thanks for bringing this to the front page.
I asked HippiePoet to post in the forums as I had other commitments today and I just couldn’t get this story out of my head. So THANK YOU HIPPIE!!! I love ya!
I hope that we get some answers soon…
20
The Masked Web Avenger
Sep 28, 2008 at 8:30 pm -Anyone think the age gap between dad (35) and step mom (53) was a little odd? I mean the dad is closer to the son’s(27) age than his wife’s.
21
DeziDoo
Sep 28, 2008 at 8:41 pm -That was my immediate thought too, Web Avenger.
What a sorry excuse for a family. Related to the Anthony’s, maybe? Taking some story telling classes?
I cannot even imagine what this little girl went through.
22
Hippiepoet
Sep 28, 2008 at 8:43 pm -SoCool you are more than welcome.
Imp thank you for posting this story. When Cool asked me to do it, I had no idea this little girl’s life was so fucked up.
She was sexually assaulted? Why does that not surprise me? This story is hauntingly familiar to little Rowan.
I hate what this child went through. How goddamn sad.
23
cnkc
Sep 28, 2008 at 9:12 pm -You should be proud of yourself. I would like to give you a hug!!! ((hug))
Looking at it from the side of a foster parent, there is very little about our system that I would wish on a child. I hope that when I manage to get this group raised (my baby turned 12 on Friday), I have some energy left to be more proactive about changing what I can.
24
Rhoni
Sep 28, 2008 at 9:23 pm -Thank you from all past and present foster kids for caring…
25
justmeintn
Sep 28, 2008 at 9:23 pm -After I finished vomiting all I could say was why didn’t DSS do their job. The bio mom must not have been close to the daughter for her to not know something was terribly wrong. I saw charge everyone involved. I think the stepbrother maybe the rapist though.
26
ScarvesNBoots
Sep 28, 2008 at 9:24 pm -Unfortunately, today’s teacher’s balls have been chopped off by the threat of lawsuits by parents. Can’t discipline, just plain can’t get involved. I pulled my daughter out of high school and did home studies. Basically, teachers have lost control of the classroom.
27
ugarx
Sep 28, 2008 at 10:49 pm -The sight at the home “seriously” sounds like you could not even have made it up…..I only have two cats and our litterbox stays full….100? And if all these animals were still alive…they were at least eating something….while Erin was searching through the garbage? They should all be punished..not just the stepbrother!
28
starryblue00
Sep 29, 2008 at 1:45 am -First of all, if she did complain to her mother, then she is just as responsible as the other people in that house. But I do know from experience that children sometimes don’t say anything, because of fear, or sometimes even ignorance, not knowing that there’s something wrong. They’re afraid that the other parent will find out and after living with them for so long, it’s hard to comprehend that the guilty parent won’t be able to hurt them anymore. It’s a sad system. That being said, I think the system should step up now and get the step-brother who is so obviously guilty. At 11, she would know that a noose would kill her and how many 11 year old commit suicide? Although living in surroundings like that, it might not be so far-fetched.
29
Abroad
Sep 29, 2008 at 2:25 am -This is so sad. No life should be this short or painful or dirty……
And I bet there are a lot of what-if’s going through the minds of people who were spectators to it, now. Even the teacher(s) who washed her clothes for her (and that is above and beyond the call of duty) must be wishing they had done more. They probably didn’t realise that she was at danger from a step-sibling as well as from neglect, though.
Roleplay, my foot. This was either murder or suicide, and if it was suicide it was precipitated by the rape. Poor Erin.
30
Abroad
Sep 29, 2008 at 2:28 am -Not that I honestly believe that it was suicide: There are clear differences between a strangulation and a hanging, and I doubt the medical examiner would have mistaken one for the other. So murder it is, and an attempted cover-up to boot. Makes you really love mankind, doesn’t it?
31
solange822001
Sep 29, 2008 at 6:18 am -Second verse, same as the first….
I dont even know what to say, I’m tired of my usual “what the fuck is wrong with the department of child services?!!”. How many times can I say the same thing over and over….
32
solange822001
Sep 29, 2008 at 6:19 am -“No one was willing to talk to us on camera, but the witnesses to the inside of the house told me the door to the girl’s bedroom was cut off at the top leaving a gap high enough for an adult to look in, but too high for a child to see out. The door had an exterior lock. In addition they told us the bedroom door was caged in by chicken wire with yet another lock on a gate.”
http://www.wstm.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=192168
33
solange822001
Sep 29, 2008 at 6:28 am -How fucking convenient:
“First, I want to emphasize that Department of Social Services child protective investigation records are confidential from public disclosure. However, Social Services Law 422-a, known as Elisa’s Law of the Child Protective Services Reform Act of 1996, provides guidelines on the information that DSS can share in the event of a child’s death.”
Remember in the death of Danieal Kelly, the grand jury determined that was one of the many reasons why DCS can NEVER be held accountable for their fucking actions, because there is no transparency and they hide under the stupid confidentiality law???? Even though the child in question is DEAD?
http://www.dreamindemon.com/20.....ly-part-i/
34
Scooter
Sep 29, 2008 at 8:38 am -This saddens me that people don’t care about their children and want to hurt them. imo i think the step brother had something to do with her murder and rape, why is a 27 yr old living with his mom, seems to me he’s a loser. They all are loosers!.
35
MadmamainNC
Sep 29, 2008 at 9:15 am -WTF???
I am deeply disturbed at the fact that the family is Lawyering up. Protecting a rapist? I’d cut off his dick and sew it to his eye balls. MFr. Geeze!!!!! WTF is wrong with people these days?
And that house…WTF is wrong with the Social Workers? Where the hell was someone to help this poor little girl???? Conditions weren’t that bad?? Was the Social Worker named Nelda Merissant? http://www.dreamindemon.com/fo.....php?t=7717
As for the others involved in this child’s life -Why didn’t the teachers/principal call again? It’s been 2 years and nothing. I want answers! If they have to wash the clothes due to the stench, that is reason to call in an investigation. I hope they all rot in hell for failing this child.
I know what the smell of the litter box does with 3 inside cats. We should have stock in friggin Tidy Cat, we use so much. It’s an endless cycle of scoop and dump. Lazy Mfr’s. God this pisses me off.
Yeah, go ahead and lawyer up people cause you’re going to need it. Feeding your daughter to a wolf.
As for the family in Nevada. Lawyers make me sick because they wouldn’t had given a shit without that $2-$10k up front. Don’t care about the child at all. Many people don’t have that kind of money laying around. Family would have had to of shown proof of neglect which would have been hard if DSS in her state wasn’t on doing their job. DSS in Nevada wouldn’t had done anything either because it was out of state. Most they would have done was advise.
Why didn’t Erin’s mother have custody?
36
What Would Satan Do
Sep 29, 2008 at 9:47 am -I don’t read the front page on a regular basis, the things people do to each other and especially to children can be overwhelming.
I don’t have to imagine how hard it is for CPS workers to deal with these things on a daily basis, two of my best friends work for CPS & SAS (sexual assault services).
They DON’T take their jobs lightly, they do everything they can on every single case, and are often as frustrated as the rest of us by the rules they have to follow, and the limits of what they can do to help.
Never mind reading about these cases…try being the one responsible for investigating and making determinations on five (or more) of these cases at a time…it’s not a job you can leave at the office.
It doesn’t surprise me that compared to other jobs there’s an extremely high turnover/burnout rate, and guess what…the pay isn’t all that great.
There’s no doubt that there are employees who have become so disillusioned by the system that they should no longer be doing this job however…
I tip my horns to those who take on this profession and manage to never give up!
37
mammasweets
Sep 29, 2008 at 10:07 am -WELL FUCK!
I have a nice place in mind for this fuckers sword. She would have lived in more hygienic conditions in a damn tent in my backyard. Min standards of 1 meal a day? You mean at school when she was picking food out of the trash and hoarding food? Was it normal for her teachers to wash her clothes for her and to have kids throw soap at her? I don’t recall ever having to put up with that even in my smelly kid stage.
CPS pay scale needs an overhaul. While we are at it so do the Min Living standards they follow.
We failed this little girl.
38
Peeperann
Sep 29, 2008 at 10:17 am -Amen. Hurry Cheeky………
Damn. Just damn. Everyone let let this little girl down. If I had been her teacher, I would have called every damn day. If i’d seen a child eating out of the garbage, i’d have called every day. If I had been a neighbor i’d have called every day.
WTH people?? Where the fuck was the bio mom? Why was she so bad she didn’t have custody of Erin? How could she have not known how Erin lived?
And DSS said the housing problem was “A change of lifestyle”???
I have called DSS on people before. It has helped once in awhile. But not often. People need to call everyday when something is like is. And if you threaten to alert the media, it usually gets a response.
Erin God bless you. You’re safe and happy now.
39
CassieMomma
Sep 29, 2008 at 10:47 am -That’s the first thought that popped into my head and I actually read it twice to make sure I wasn’t transposing my numbers…..
I agree, they were washing her clothes, but that wasn’t enough. I actually cried a little bit at the end of this story. So preventable and so horrific for someone to live that way. Where was her mother??????
40
MadmamainNC
Sep 29, 2008 at 11:37 am -Cheeky, this is why I want back in.
I had a client who was a “cat lady” and I know that smell. I can’t believe the teachers didn’t call anyone and demand help for this child.
I am thinking what torment this poor little girl went through with no escape. If it wasn’t her loved ones at home, it was the heartless cruel peers of hers in school. I am sickened by what she went through and that’s not even adding in the physical abuse/molestation. OMG! This poor baby.
When people sit back and do nothing or as soon as one door is closed and they give up, they become part of the problem. I would never let doors shut in my face when it came to my clients.
So many workers are burned out and that is sad. On the same note, some just stopped caring about their jobs.
When a CPS worker sleeps at the wheel, they should be charged accordingly. OK I’m going off on a tangent…anyway….
Cheeky, I know your passion and I feel that you are a great service to others. I wish you the best and I pray that this does not change who you are. I know you will always fight for the good guys!
Also, her case reminds me of this girl I read about back in early 90′. The child also had lived in deplorable conditions. Her mother chained her in the house and often the child would miss weeks of school as a punishment. CPS turned a blind eye to the entire thing and if it weren’t for the little girls teacher being so persistent, this child would have died.
Her mother bit off part of her ear. She had scars on her neck, wrist and ankles from being shackled. It was horrible. The girl (with help from others) sued CPS and was offered a settlement in exchange for a gag-order. She declined. Her story was told in a magazine I read. Can’t remember which magazine I read it in and I want to search on her to see how she’s doing now but I can’t remember her name. She’s probably in her early 30’s.
If anyone’s heard this story, please let me know.
41
gm OF 10
Sep 29, 2008 at 2:44 pm -These three are fucking human waste// Did you see their pic’s??? We have skunk lady, her boy=toy husband, and what the hell is the 27 year old living with them ?? He belongs in the Renasssance fair, he lives in their fantasy world..This POOR little girl, my heart grieves for her, what she had to endure in her short little life is horrific. May she be happy and clean where she is now..
42
LL44
Sep 29, 2008 at 5:30 pm -As a teacher, I had a student who ca