Hello everyone, and welcome to the Claire-Rose Gelin Story.

I want to express my sincere gratitude for taking the time to listen to me. My name is Claire-Rose, and I'm 42 years old. I moved from Haiti to the United States a few years ago with my 17-year-old son. Shortly after his birth, I became pregnant with my now 5-year-old son, and then with another child who is now 4 years old. I'm happily married to Remy Gelin, and we've been married for over 10 years.

On February 19, 2021, a child in my care tragically passed away due to a serious fall. This devastating situation arose after I offered my home to my niece, Ms. Despeigne, and her two children when she had nowhere else to go. She befriended a young lady named Ms. Medjina Diogene, who used to leave her son at my apartment for my niece to babysit. After Ms. Despeigne moved out in late December, Ms. Medjina Diogene asked me to watch her son, Richardson M (aka Cliff), as she faced challenging circumstances. Despite my initial concerns due to caring for my own young children, I agreed to watch over him. He was such a delightful boy and played with my son, Jay.

On February 05, 2021, Baby Richardson was in my care as he was playing with a ball on the bed. While he was about to fall, I instinctively reached to grab him and accidentally scratched his back in the process. Unfortunately, he fell off the bed and ended up with a bruise on his face. I immediately contacted the mother via video call to inform her of the incident. Later, when she came by to pick him up, she inspected the injury and reassured me that everything was fine before leaving with her son.

The mother then informed me that she would be taking a week off from work from February 07, 2021, through February 14, 2021, so Baby Richardson would not need a babysitter during that time. She planned to spend the week with him. To my surprise, I received a call from Ms. Despeigne the next day, informing me that Baby Richardson's father was accusing me of child abuse. I was deeply shocked by this accusation.

As a parent of three boys myself, I have never resorted to physical discipline with my own children, let alone someone else's. It's disheartening to be accused of such a serious matter, especially when my intention has always been to ensure the safety and well-being of the children under my care. 

A few hours later, Ms. Diogene personally called me to express her apologies, explaining that she felt pressured by a family member named Luviane Francois to say those things. She assured me that she knew I would never harm her son, as I had taken good care of him. I was truly disheartened by the fact that she had accused me, especially after I had watched her son for several days. 

On February 15, 2021, I was surprised by a knock on my door. To my surprise, it was Ms. Medjina Diogene, who needed someone to look after her son, Richardson, as she had to go to work. I informed her that my husband and I were not comfortable with the idea, especially since my mother, who had been staying with me to help after my son Jemmy was born, had just gone to Haiti. Additionally, I reminded her that she had accused me of abusing her son, despite the fact that I am vehemently against violence and would never harm anyone, let alone a child. It's important to note that I have never been in any trouble in my life.

Ms. Diogene began to cry, explaining that she had tried to leave her son with her family members, but they had refused to take him. Without knowing about any new injuries, I agreed to look after Richardson for one day. Ms. Diogene dropped him off, but she did not disclose any information about new injuries, in addition to the ones he had sustained from a fall.

Ms. Diogene and her child father have an explosive relationship and it was said that after an augment occurred between the Parents Ms. Medjina and alleged father Mr. Maxineaux during the week of 02/08/21 thru 02/22/21. The young couple had a lot of rage an anger because not only was Richardson Maxineaux was questioning Paternity of Medjina son, but he also fathered another baby with a woman name Ms.Scouderly Auguste there was infidelities and Alcohol involved in these young adults lives. After that argument Ms. Diogene took place the couple got into a heated Physical Fight and the baby did get caught in the cross-fire.  

Cliff's health was a major concern for me that week when he refused to eat. It all began on Wednesday, February 17, 2021, when he returned to me looking unwell. Despite my efforts to help him, he continued to show signs of distress. After finally reaching out to his mother, Ms. Medjina Diogene, she advised me to wait until Friday for her to pick him up. I emphasized the urgency of the situation, explaining that Cliff needed to see a doctor as soon as possible.

 I made it clear that the agreement was for just one day, not a whole week. After she hung up, she didn't reach out to check on his condition. At that time, there was a snowstorm in NJ, with Irvington streets covered in snow and no cars on the road. We spent time with all the children, my husband, my oldest, my toddler, and baby Richardson and Cliff, and myself. I was worried about whether Medjina would actually be picking him up the next day, as I don't drive and am not familiar with New Jersey or the States yet.

He tragically passed away from his injuries on Friday, 02/19/21. At just two years old, he was unable to speak in full sentences. I spent hours recounting the events to the authorities. I was in the bathroom when I heard a loud noise and my son shouted that Cliff had fallen. Upon rushing out, I found him with a severe head injury. My son and I did everything we could to assist him while I called for an ambulance as I do not speak English. We were in disbelief as we had been trying to prevent any harm to him, yet he sustained a serious injury on the day he was meant to depart. I was heartbroken. I explained that ever since Medjina returned Cliff to me, his behavior had been abnormal. He was clearly in distress but unable to communicate his pain. 

The State is alleging that I caused the additional injurie's to the child, but in reality, the injuries are in line with those that can happen during CPR on toddlers. I have witnessed similar injuries in Haiti following the earthquake. The child underwent CPR numerous times before arriving at the hospital, and it is unjust for the State to hold me accountable for the mother's negligence. 

On 02/20/2021, I was arrested and brought to Essex County Correctional Facility, where I encountered a life-threatening situation. The initial night was frightening as I experienced a panic attack and asthma exacerbation due to my limited English proficiency and confusion about the reason for my arrest. I contracted Covid-19 and my respiratory problems deteriorated, putting me in grave danger. Despite my critical state, I did not receive adequate medical attention and was subjected to assault. Despite efforts from my family and lawyer, no help was provided. I am currently facing unjust charges, despite my compassionate actions towards a child in need.

 The State of New Jersey failed to properly investigate, leading to me being wrongly accused of a serious crime. Why wasn't the mother questioned about her actions? Why wasn't she charged with neglect or endangerment of a child? Why weren't dental records analyzed for evidence? I speak Haitian Creole, not English, and I am being falsely linked to a crime. It is unjust that I am still waiting for a trial date while the child's father, who has a history of violence, has already been arrested and deported.

I have strong medical evidence to support my belief that his death was simply a tragic accident, nothing more. It is heartbreaking that as parents, we now feel compelled to install cameras in our own home to demonstrate our innocence.

Living in a building means that my neighbors would have known if I had committed the crime in question. Instead of falsely accusing me, my neighbors know the truth and have started a Change.org Petition to support my family. The DCPP's unethical actions have caused this situation. If I had been informed of the accusations against me, I could have prevented my child from being taken away again. Now, the Essex County Prosecutors Office and Austin Cory Edward are unfairly blaming me for everything.

Join us in calling for justice and accountability from The State Of New Jersey and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. Let's work together to prevent any innocent individuals from being wrongly accused in the future. Take a stand by signing this petition and demanding action.

My Trial Date Scheduled July 24,2024 at 9:00am.

Veteran Courthouse Newark NJ.

Please Sign Share or even Attend. 

PLEASE STOP THE PEOPLE BELOW FROM MAKING A TERRIBLE MISTAKE.
The Department of Justice 
New Jersey Attorney General
Essex County Prosecutor's Office 
Division of family Services DCPP 
The Department of Correction