ROXBORO, N.C. — A Person County mother was in tears after a ruling from a judge last Thursday.
Briauna Morgan was hoping to regain custody of her children after her 1-year-old son, Kemari Morgan, was found dead in foster care on May 23.
Briauna Morgan spoke to Spectrum News 1 Thursday expressing her concern over communication from both offices, along with the city of Roxboro.
She says while they did meet with her, they aren’t being transparent about what exactly happened.
Few details have been released, but officials said deputies responded to reports of the boy being unresponsive. They said when they arrived, he couldn’t be saved.
Spectrum News 1 has requested an autopsy report and documents pertaining to the case, and received this statement from the sheriff’s office when asked to comment on the investigation:
“The Person County Sheriff's Office is working closely with the department of social services and the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident. A thorough and compassionate investigation is underway, and all appropriate resources are being utilized.”
“I know he was a young child, so I know y'all don't care, but look from my side,” Morgan said.
Morgan was emotional after taking the stand at the Person County Courthouse to reunite with her five children who are in the county’s care.
“They say it all the time. You are so defensive. Yeah, I am, and I'm gonna stay like that. I'm gonna stay like that. I'm hurt,” Morgan said.
Morgan said after receiving a heartbreaking phone call May 23 that her son died in Child Protective Services custody, she met with the City of Roxboro and the deputy of the Department of Social Services.
Instead of getting answers, she said the county suggested money. Morgan didn’t accept.
“The county is offering me $2,000 towards his services, even though my son was in DSS custody,” Morgan said.
Morgan said she has not been given access to view her son’s body, nor permission to be able to care for her other children.
Prosecutors brought up Morgan’s criminal history during a hearing, pointing out two driving under the influence convictions and one pending.
The judge ruled the findings to be a primary cause of concern and denied Morgan custody. But she said that was years ago and she's changed.
“Yes, I got in a fight. And yes, I had calls made on me, but I was trying to do what I needed to do to get my children back home,” Morgan said.
Morgan believed Thursday's hearing wasn’t about her son but about her past.
She said they will be back in court July 24, and she’s hoping for a different outcome.
“My heart was crushed. They know how I feel about my children,” Morgan said.
Spectrum News 1 reached out to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The department sent the following statement:
“Our hearts break for the family, friends and community impacted by the tragic death of this child. NCDHHS takes seriously its responsibility to ensure the health and well-being of children and families in North Carolina and shares a vision that every child can grow up healthy in a safe, nurturing family and community. The department is working closely with local partners in Person County. Due to confidentiality laws, we can't provide further information.”