Over the past 2 weeks, I told you the story of 8-year-old Rica Rountree, who DCFS left in her father’s home despite clear evidence that she was being abused. After Rica died on January 26, 2019, investigators found disturbing cell phone videos of Rica’s abuse and arrested her father’s girlfriend, Cindy Baker. After Cindy was convicted, Rica’s father, Richard Rountree, was also arrested for his part in his daughter’s death. In this episode, you’ll hear my conversation with Rica’s mother, Ann Rountree, who is relentless in her mission to protect other children from suffering her daughter’s fate.

This is the story of a sweet, kind little girl who could make anyone smile and who loved her dolls like they were her own children. It’s also the story of the failure of Illinois’ Department of Children and Family Services to protect yet another vulnerable child from targeted and obvious child abuse.

This is part 3 of the horrific story of Rica Rountree.

Links discussed in today’s episode:

Justice 4 Rica Jae Rountree Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/justice4ricajae

Justice 4 Rica Jae Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/justice4ricajae/

Justice 4 Rica Jae Foundation website: https://justice4ricajae.org

Labyrinth Made Goods website: www.labyrinthmadegoods.com

Illinois House Bill 3821 (HB3821/2021): https://legiscan.com/IL/text/HB3821/2021

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This podcast is researched, written, hosted, edited, and produced by Laine.

For more stories like this one, visit https://sufferthelittlechildrenblog.com.

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