Records: Knowellan Kelly, three siblings were at risk for abuse three months before Bradenton infant's death

Records: Officials knew Knowellan Kelly, three siblings were at risk for abuse before Bradenton infant's death

MANATEE -- About three months before 15-month-old Knowellan Kelly died as a result of child abuse, the infant and his three siblings were found to be safe but at high risk for abuse, by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Child Protective Investigative Division.

In a follow-up to the CPID report, child protective deputy director Robert Wilson did indicate further review was necessary.

Wilson's concerns are detailed in emails between staff at the Child Protective Investigative Division, obtained by the Bradenton Herald through a public records request.

"I have some concerns that we don't have sufficient information and especially documentation to justify safety decision in the case," Wilson emailed Sept. 17 to supervisor Stephanie Metcalf-Clerk.

Cases notes on the investigation initiated Aug. 16, also through a public record's request, shed light on the family situation prior to the infant's death, including the drug addiction of the mother, Danake Crawford.

Deputies were called Dec. 12 to Manatee Memorial Hospital regarding suspicious circumstances involving Knowellan Kelly. Knowellan was treated at the hospital and then transported to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, where he died the following night.

Knowellan died of injuries consistent with child abuse, according to an autopsy. The boy had been staying with his mother and her boyfriend, according to the sheriff's office.

The investigation into his death is ongoing but no charges have been filed.

About two months prior to Knowellan's Dec. 13 death, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office closed the latest investigation into allegations of child abuse. The investigation was initiated Aug. 16 following allegations Knowellan and his siblings, ages 2, 3 and 6, weren't being bathed, diapers weren't being changed and they were often left outside unattended.

Crawford admitted to being on methodone because she was a recovering heroin addict during her initial face-to-face interview with lead investigator, Kayla Cyphers, in the August investigation. The mother of four also acknowledged child protective investigators had been to her father's home a few times.

"Her father had the children all weekend and they are bathed daily, and are kept clean," Cyphers noted in an interview with Crawford. "She does not discipline. She just yells at them. She does not have a form of discipline."

Crawford does not drink alcohol, according to Cyphers' notes, but refused to take a drug screen. Crawford does not get stressed because she takes methadone, Cyphers reported.

On Aug. 25, Crawford's probation officer told Cyphers a random drug test in January came up clean but she had tested dirty during a previous house arrest sentence. Crawford remains on probation for convictions on charges of dealing in stolen property and obtaining money from a pawn broker by fraud.

"She is pending violation because she was driving when she shouldn't have been," Cyphers noted. "She is recommending putting her on house arrest again."

The investigator also noted Crawford did not tell her probation officer she had been arrested again. Just three days before the August investigation began, Crawford was arrested for driving with a suspended license. Crawford's license, suspended since August 2010, expired in March 2011.

Crawford's father told the investigator his daughter wouldn't bathe the children and the house stunk because she refused to clean it.

"She has not done laundry in three weeks, and the biofather is in prison for the last year and she started dating this guy recently," Cyphers noted. "He feels that she is not a fit parent."

The investigator also spoke to Crawford's new boyfriend during the investigation, and he said he knew nothing about the allegations. Crawford, who said she was unemployed, said she would be staying with him because he could help with the children.

Her boyfriend, unemployed while in school full-time pursing a master's degree, was writing a book and hoped to work for the federal government, the investigator noted.

"She is a good mom and takes care of the children, feeds them and clothes them and does things with them," Cyphers noted. "She doesn't really discipline them. They could get away with murder."

Case notes indicate Cypers left Crawford a voicemail Sept. 14 in reference to closing the case, which was later closed Oct. 14. The same day she spoke with Crawford's probation officer, who said Crawford had been arrested for violation of probation, Cyphers noted. The probation officer also said she did "not drug test her when she saw her last because she forgot" and Crawford was staying with a new boyfriend so he could help with the children.

No notes are made in the case again until Oct. 13-14 where unanswered calls to a nurse were logged. The case was closed Oct. 14.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter@JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published December 23, 2015 at 8:07 PM with the headline "Records: Knowellan Kelly, three siblings were at risk for abuse three months before Bradenton infant's death ."