A child’s death is always tragic, but even more so when it is caused by a family member. In the case of Zion McKeown, this is exactly what happened to him. While in his father’s custody, Zion was “allegedly stomped to death.” Now the boy’s grandmother, Maryann Rooney, is awaiting a final approval of a settlement in a lawsuit she filed on behalf of “Zion’s estate and Zion’s sister.” While she originally sought $4 million, the “state legislature is preparing to approve an $875,000 settlement.”
A child’s death is always tragic, but even more so when it is caused by a family member. In the case of Zion McKeown, this is exactly what happened to him. While in his father’s custody, Zion was “allegedly stomped to death.” Now the boy’s grandmother, Maryann Rooney, is awaiting a final approval of a settlement in a lawsuit she filed on behalf of “Zion’s estate and Zion’s sister.” While she originally sought $4 million, the “state legislature is preparing to approve an $875,000 settlement.”
According to the lawsuit, “Zion McKeown spent part of his short life in state custody because his parents were deemed unfit.” However, he was eventually returned to his mother’s care, despite warnings from Rooney. It wasn’t long before the young boy was sent to “live with his father, Kyle McKeown.” Tragically, that move resulted in physical abuse that claimed Zion’s life. According to autopsy reports, “Zion died from severe blunt force trauma to the abdomen.”
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While McKeown, along with his girlfriend, Grace Lee-Nakamoto, has been charged with second-degree murder, Rooney still believes her grandson needs justice. In a 2012 interview, she said, “I really do believe that Zion needs to have some form of justice, and I believe CPS did not protect this child.” According to Hawaii News Now, “in justifying the settlement, the state Attorney General’s office said both parents had a history of mental illness and violence against family members, along with criminal convictions for violence.” Additionally, the “Attorney General’s office said state Child Welfare Services failed to follow up on anonymous reports in February 2010 that Zion was being abused by his mother.”
Throughout the lawsuit, other key players spoke up in defense of CPS and the Department of Human Services. For example, Sen. Josh Green (D), who chairs the senate’s Committee on Human Services, said, “you never want to separate a child from a family unless it’s totally necessary, but the worst thing of all is to not take the precaution and see one of these outcomes.” He added that the Department of Human Services has a difficult job.
Back in 2012, shortly after Zion’s death, Pat McManaman, the then-director of state Human Services said, in “this particular case, family court terminated jurisdiction over this child December 2009, so after a case is closed and the child is returned to his or her family the state really ceases its involvement.”
But that wasn’t good enough for those who ruled in favor of Rooney, and who believe the system failed Zion McKeown.
Sources:
State reaches settlement in case where 4-year-old was stomped to death
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