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Community activists and organizers stood in front of a makeshift memorial on April 16 chanting, “We’re fired up and ready to roll. We’re fired up, can’t take no more,” after Devonte, 15, Jeremiah, 14, and Sierra, 12, all biological siblings from Houston, Texas, died in what authorities are calling an apparent suicide. The bodies of Jennifer Hart, 38, and Sarah Hart, 38, the adoptive parents of the six children were also found at the scene March 26.
The children found at the crash scene were Markis Hart, 19, Jeremiah Hart, 14, and Abigail Hart, 14. Authorities found the body of Sierra, 12 on April 17. There are still no signs of Hannah, 16, or Devonte. Authorities stated their bodies were probably washed away. Devonte gained attention at age 12 after a photo of him with tears in his eyes while hugging a White police officer at a rally in response to the Ferguson Police shooting of Michael Brown went viral.
According to the California Highway Patrol, data from the vehicle’s software air bag module suggested the driver got a 70-foot start and accelerated off the cliff without breaking. There were no skid marks or brake marks at the scene.
Advocates held signs at the vigil accusing the Harris County Courts of biased practices against Black families. They argue that judges refusing to give Black children back to their families is an epidemic.
“I did everything they asked me to do to get my son back and I still didn’t get him back,” said Jessica Garrett, an advocate for the re-unification of Black families. “I grew up in the system, so I know both sides and the ends and outs of this system and sadly, those judges would rather give our children to White people than return them to their biological families,” she said.
Nearly three weeks passed before Sherry Davis, the biological mother of Devonte, Jeremiah and Sierra, heard about the incident.
“We didn’t believe it at first,” said Nathaniel Davis, their stepfather. “We got the call from the children’s biological aunt who said a reporter had given her the news of their death. Those children should’ve been with us,” he said grief stricken. “If they were, they would still be alive.”
Mr. Davis said that he received reports that his children were being abused. Devonte, the oldest of the three, had complained to a neighbor in Woodland, Washington, where they lived that they were being deprived of food on more than one occasion. The neighbor reported it to Child Protective Services (CPS), but by the time they investigated the family had left town, Mr. Davis stated. Days later, they were reported dead. Sarah Hart pleaded guilty to assaulting one of the children in 2010.
“I wanted to keep the children, but because I wasn’t their biological father and I had health issues, I was denied,” Mr. Davis told The Final Call.
According to KOIN, the aunt was originally given custody, but they were allegedly removed “after less than six months when it was discovered that the children’s biological mother had visited them—a visit the children’s caseworker did not approve.”
Ms. Celestine’s attorney, Shonda Jones, told KOIN removing the children after a “single mistake” was an “injustice.” She described the children’s aunt as a hard-working woman who would have been a good influence on the children, reported cbsnews.com.
Social service and professional advocates for youth point out that if there are no family or community alternatives present, children must be safe but argue that Black children and Black families are often denied opportunities to care for loved ones despite kinship care laws. Often, Black children get lost in the system, activists contend.
According to Attorney Pamela Muhammad, Harris County, Texas CPS often breaks up Black families and sends Black children to live with White families. It’s genocide, she charged.
“The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan called for us to help make our communities better and as a result of that many of us advocates came together and formed the Coalition for the Preservation of the Black Family,” she told The Final Call.
“We have to step up,” she said addressing the crowd that gathered to pay tribute to the dead children. “Give our community, our loved ones, our family, the tools so this senseless stealing of our children is not so easy. We’ve got to give them a fight because our children are worth it,” she said.
“This system sells our children to the highest bidder for adoption and foster care, thereby breaking up families, as was done during our centuries of bondage and chattel slavery. The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan teach us we can never be a strong nation without strong families. This unjust court system must be abolished,” he declared.
Community members held hands in prayer asking for those children who are still missing to be found expeditiously and safe.
“Devonte, Jeremiah, and Sierra have been away from home long enough,” said P.K. McCary, of Think Peace International, Inc. “We want their bodies shipped back to Houston. They deserve the respect and honor to be laid to rest with the family that loves them.” (Final Call staff and Associated Press contributed to this report.)