China
Marie Davis
March 23, 1991 -
October 31, 1993
China Marie Davis entered
Arizona's foster care system when she was a little over a year old.
During her 11 months
in the care of Dorothy Livingston, her state-designated caretaker, China
Marie suffered a dozen broken bones. She died in October 1993 after Livingston
repeatedly kicked her down a staircase because China Marie refused to clap
her hands to gospel music.
An autopsy revealed
that China Marie suffered a compression fracture of the spine, breaks in
both forearms and wrists, two broken collarbones, fractures of both thighs,
and a broken left arm, right rib and left hand while in Livingston's care.
Witnesses in the
foster mother's trial testified that Livingston slammed China Marie onto
the toilet because she wasn't potty training fast enough, and threw her
forcefully into the tub because she would not cooperate. No one suspected
anything was wrong, it seems, because Livingston always dressed her in
such pretty outfits.
Livingston herself
was something of a Frankenstein's monster created by the child welfare
system. For two years, her foster father would pick her up from her job
and rape her in the car. He also raped her when they were alone together
at home. When she told her foster mother about the sexual abuse, the woman
did not believe her and accused her of being retarded.
Phoenix Detective
Francesca Anatra told court officials she was appalled at Livingston's
lack of remorse or sorrow after China's death. Anatra also voiced concerns
about an agency that would allow a woman with Livingston's past to become
a foster parent.
It was through death
that China Marie came to be reunited with one of her loving parents, according
to her mother, Kelly Harris Davis, she was now with her father.
"Today is one
of the happiest days of my life. It's also one of the
saddest. He
and China are walking hand in hand now".

For information about preventing
child abuse in the state of Arizona, click the links below. If they can't
help you, ask for someone who can. NEVER give up looking for help
for an abused child!

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