My name is Kenya Coleman and I am the mother of Bri’Elle Leary, whom we lovingly call Brie. On January 27th, I received a text message from Towanda Tompkins, who is the owner and child care provider of the day home, Tiny T's Child Care LLC, that I entrusted to care for my daughter. The text message informed me that my “daughter had scratched her face” and to give her a call as soon as possible. I did a FaceTime with her to physically see what is going on and you could see some of the marks on my child’s face, but not clearly due to the lighting of the room. I proceeded to ask her for a picture of my child’s face and that is when I lost it. I contacted the police to meet me at the house, so I can pick up my child and her belongings. 

 

 

 

 

Upon arrival, the police noticed blood in my daughters crib and contacted their supervisor, who then decided to launch an investigation. I was asked if I wanted the paramedics to come or if I wanted to transport my daughter and I chose to take her myself. Once we arrived at the urgent care, the CPS worker (last name Hobbs) came and met us there as well. We were sent from urgent care to MCV to complete the examination. He informed us that the process could take up to 45 days with an additional 15 because police were involved. 

I also took it upon myself to call weekly for updates and even called social services to get in contact with Towanda Tompkins’ inspector because it was through them that I found Ms. Tompkins information. 

This happened January 27, 2023 and it is now June 20, 2023 and nothing has been done. Nothing is concluded, but things have been getting attention since going public and having the right people in my corner to help fight for my family and I. 

I am still fighting for accountability and justice for my daughter. I am writing this petition to the attention of Dr. Danny TK Avula, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Social Services, The Board of Education/Virginia Department of Social Services (in regards to Susan Ellington-Sconiers and her negligence of the many violations that were repeated on numerous occasions).

A public record example is listed below of just two of the many violations that were allowed to actually be corrected during the very first home inspection from January 2022. 

 

*as of Wednesday, June 21, 2023 (source: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/facility/search/cc2.cgi?rm=Inspection;Inspection=68615;ID=47652;search_require_client_code-2102=1 

 

 

 

Therefore, I am also asking for the following:

 

1. The termination of Susan Ellington-Sconiers for neglecting to effectively correct these violations.
2. I am also asking for Tiny T’s to be permanently shut down for the neglect shown towards my child and the hazards that were presented while my child was in her care.
3. Lastly, I am asking for the Virginia Department of Social Services to thoroughly examine and reevaluate the daycares that are listed on their website to ensure that they are up to par and safe for the babies  and children in their care at all times.

 

Please sign this petition so that together, we can get answers, hold those responsible accountable and prevent this from happening to another child in our city and in our State. 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Kenya Coleman, M.S.

 

cc: Virginia Department of Social Services

Attn: Dr. Danny TK Avula, Commissioner

801 E. Main Street

Richmond VA 23219-2901

 

New Era Richmond, a local mudroots organization, is a member of the New Era Nation and was founded in Richmond VA in 2020 under the leadership of our founding chapter, New Era Detroit. For more information, our website is www.neweraworld.work and our Instagram is @newera_rva