100 signatures reached
To: Ron Oakley, Mike Moore, Kathryn Starkey, Christina Fitzpatrick, Jack Mariano, County Commissioners Chris Nocco, Sheriff
Bring My'taeh Home
Operation Stop CPS has completed an independent investigation into the kidnapping of My’taeh Tuggles by Pasco Sheriff’s Office Child Protection Investigations Division. We have concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to find that My’taeh was in imminent danger on October 14, 2021 when Kendall Giannone requested that she be sheltered from her mother, Shaletta Thomas. Our investigation concluded that Ms. Giannone had a personal vendetta against Ms. Thomas after having an unpleasant conversation during a previous home visit. Ms. Giannone interrogated My’taeh without the consent of Ms. Thomas and asked very leading questions to further her agenda to hurt Ms. Thomas. Ms. Giannone then fabricated a safety threat that was used to kidnap My’taeh from school. The County Board of Commissioners oversees the Pasco County Sheriff’s office, which is under the leadership of Sheriff Chris Nocco. We are calling for an internal investigation into the kidnapping of My’taeh and for each commissioner to recommend the immediate reunification of this family.
Ms. Thomas’ experience: Hi my name is Shaletta Thomas and I’m originally from Chicago, IL. I moved to New Port Richey, Florida in March of 2020 with my now husband and 8-year-old daughter My’taeh. I work as a stockbroker and have an online call center with 100 agents. My husband and I worked hard to build a life that we are proud of and My’taeh is the center of our life. She is literally my best friend. There is nothing that she desired that we did not provide. Before my husband and I got married, I dated a man that works as an officer with the Clearwater Police Department in Florida. After we separated, I moved on with my life, but he was unable to. On 7/2/21, while riding in the car with my husband and daughter, I was pulled over by my ex-boyfriend. He pulled me over and abused his power and badge to arrest me for a DUI when I had not had an ounce of alcohol that day. I was wrongfully arrested and taken to jail. Due to my child being in the car, he also charged me with child endangerment which triggered a report to CPS.
A week later, Kendall Giannone, CPI worker with the Pasco Sheriff's Office Child Protection Investigation Division, arrived at my home to initiate the malicious report that was made to CPS due to my ex-boyfriends actions. When the CPI worker arrived at my home to investigate these false allegations, I immediately denied her access to my child. We were prepared to use all the resources at our disposal to shield My’Taeh from any further trauma. The CPI worker persisted and I stood my ground. Then the worker looked at me and said “You’re going to be the next black bitch that looses her kids because you’re not complying”. I slammed the door in her face not realizing that this person had the power to make this statement a reality. I didn’t speak to her again until October 14, 2021. The worker continued to visit My’Taeh at school because I refused to cooperate with the investigation. My’taeh began to miss the bus on purpose because she was terrified that the worker may kidnap her from school. I reassured her that she was safe and that we had nothing to worry about. After being unable to find any evidence of abuse or neglect, I was contacted by the CPI worker informing me that my case would be closed.
On October 8, 2021 Pasco County CPS received a report due to an argument my husband and I had. The same worker from the prior case was assigned to this new report. My child was not home and did not witness the incident but the worker failed to complete a thorough assessment to ascertain the facts of the case. Due to her personal vendetta against me, she falsified my child’s statement during her interview and fabricated the petition that was used to legally kidnap My’Taeh from school on October 14, 2021. I was notified through a text message that my baby was not coming home that day.
When I found out My’taeh was taken, I hyperventilated… I felt lost... I was in disbelief... and I was heartbroken. It didn’t seem real, and I could not wrap my mind around this being legal. It took a week for me to see her again. When I laid eyes on my baby, we could not help but to cry. I must admit, the hardest part was having to leave her after that first visit.
My daughter was immediately placed with a teacher from her school that I did not offer as a placement option. My baby was sleeping on an air mattress when she has her own bed at home. I have had 4 family members who have been denied as placement options without an explanation. My’taeh’s father, who has not been in her life for the last 3 years was contacted by CPS to inform him that My’Taeh was in state’s custody. He offered his mother as a placement option and she was immediately assessed. I have had a strained relationship with My’Teah grandmother and the CPI worker was able to find an ally in her quest to punish me for not complying. My child has become collateral in all of this.
Ms. Thomas’ experience: Hi my name is Shaletta Thomas and I’m originally from Chicago, IL. I moved to New Port Richey, Florida in March of 2020 with my now husband and 8-year-old daughter My’taeh. I work as a stockbroker and have an online call center with 100 agents. My husband and I worked hard to build a life that we are proud of and My’taeh is the center of our life. She is literally my best friend. There is nothing that she desired that we did not provide. Before my husband and I got married, I dated a man that works as an officer with the Clearwater Police Department in Florida. After we separated, I moved on with my life, but he was unable to. On 7/2/21, while riding in the car with my husband and daughter, I was pulled over by my ex-boyfriend. He pulled me over and abused his power and badge to arrest me for a DUI when I had not had an ounce of alcohol that day. I was wrongfully arrested and taken to jail. Due to my child being in the car, he also charged me with child endangerment which triggered a report to CPS.
A week later, Kendall Giannone, CPI worker with the Pasco Sheriff's Office Child Protection Investigation Division, arrived at my home to initiate the malicious report that was made to CPS due to my ex-boyfriends actions. When the CPI worker arrived at my home to investigate these false allegations, I immediately denied her access to my child. We were prepared to use all the resources at our disposal to shield My’Taeh from any further trauma. The CPI worker persisted and I stood my ground. Then the worker looked at me and said “You’re going to be the next black bitch that looses her kids because you’re not complying”. I slammed the door in her face not realizing that this person had the power to make this statement a reality. I didn’t speak to her again until October 14, 2021. The worker continued to visit My’Taeh at school because I refused to cooperate with the investigation. My’taeh began to miss the bus on purpose because she was terrified that the worker may kidnap her from school. I reassured her that she was safe and that we had nothing to worry about. After being unable to find any evidence of abuse or neglect, I was contacted by the CPI worker informing me that my case would be closed.
On October 8, 2021 Pasco County CPS received a report due to an argument my husband and I had. The same worker from the prior case was assigned to this new report. My child was not home and did not witness the incident but the worker failed to complete a thorough assessment to ascertain the facts of the case. Due to her personal vendetta against me, she falsified my child’s statement during her interview and fabricated the petition that was used to legally kidnap My’Taeh from school on October 14, 2021. I was notified through a text message that my baby was not coming home that day.
When I found out My’taeh was taken, I hyperventilated… I felt lost... I was in disbelief... and I was heartbroken. It didn’t seem real, and I could not wrap my mind around this being legal. It took a week for me to see her again. When I laid eyes on my baby, we could not help but to cry. I must admit, the hardest part was having to leave her after that first visit.
My daughter was immediately placed with a teacher from her school that I did not offer as a placement option. My baby was sleeping on an air mattress when she has her own bed at home. I have had 4 family members who have been denied as placement options without an explanation. My’taeh’s father, who has not been in her life for the last 3 years was contacted by CPS to inform him that My’Taeh was in state’s custody. He offered his mother as a placement option and she was immediately assessed. I have had a strained relationship with My’Teah grandmother and the CPI worker was able to find an ally in her quest to punish me for not complying. My child has become collateral in all of this.
Why is this important?
"We're not safe unless we're all safe"-The Movement
Every family in this country is at risk of being negatively impacted by Child Protective Services. There does not even need to be sufficient evidence to prove that parents have harmed their children. Most decisions to remove children are based on bias and not the law. Operation Stop CPS highlights the stories of families across this country who have had their children kidnapped illegally by the government. CPS also impacts Black and Brown communities at an alarming rate. If we do not come to together to fight back against the unchecked power of CPS, they will continue to get more powerful.
Every family in this country is at risk of being negatively impacted by Child Protective Services. There does not even need to be sufficient evidence to prove that parents have harmed their children. Most decisions to remove children are based on bias and not the law. Operation Stop CPS highlights the stories of families across this country who have had their children kidnapped illegally by the government. CPS also impacts Black and Brown communities at an alarming rate. If we do not come to together to fight back against the unchecked power of CPS, they will continue to get more powerful.
How it will be delivered
Hand Deliver the petition to the Board of Commissioners meeting