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Funeral Set For Foster Child Killed In Fire; DSS Asking For Your Help Save Email Print
Posted: 7:52 PM Aug 27, 2008
Last Updated: 9:18 PM Aug 28, 2008
Reporter: Dave Jordan / Bill Wilson

A | A | A

The funeral for a 12-year-old girl who died in a fire at her foster home will be Sunday afternoon. But authorities say there may not be enough money to bury the child.

Tiera Sutton died Monday night in the fire in Kinston.

The Lenoir County Department of Social Services says there was no insurance and they're trying to raise money to help pay for Tiera's funeral.

Donations can be mailed to:
Swinson Funeral Services
for Tiera P. Sutton
P.O. Box 3381
Kinston, NC 28502

Those wanting to donate can also make them directly at the funeral home at 208 East Blount Street.



ORIGINAL STORY

Officials with the Lenoir County Department of Social Services say they will not investigate the home where fire is being blamed for killing a foster child Monday night.

Kinston Public Safety officials say evidence they found suggests all four smoke detectors inside the home were not operational.

Crews say fire destroyed a home on Crestwood Drive leaving 12 year-old Tiere Sutton dead.

DSS officials say her foster parents -- Zella and Simon Dunn's home was last inspected in February of 2007. They say a foster home cannot receive a license if the smoke detectors are not working Foster homes are inspected every two years.

The Dunn's have cared for 53 children over the past four decades. DSS says they've had an excellent record for the nine-years they've been with Lenoir County DSS.

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Posted by: Dot Location: Nashua, NH on Aug 30, 2008 at 02:33 PM
DSS is to blame. What happened to monthly visit's by DSS worker's? If it were the birth family, all other children would be removed.They stole her from her family, now it's up to them to pay for her funeral. How many more children must die before our Government disolves this rogue agency that they call "Child Protective Services"? All they protect is themselves, not children or families. Peoples eyes are finally opening to the mass corruption. The heat is on.

Posted by: Chris Location: Greenville on Aug 30, 2008 at 09:08 AM
If her funeral is scheduled for Sunday. Is the funeral home going to keep her on cold storage until enough money is raised? Or is the funeral home going to perform services "pro bono". DSS should bite the bullets and pony up the funds.

Posted by: WHY Location: Somewhere in NC on Aug 29, 2008 at 05:35 AM
This child was in a foster home, but she was still in DSS custody. DSS has funds in the budget to assist victims/family. It would be nice to hear that DSS does unannounce visit to some of the foster homes where children are place.Sad story...

Posted by: Obama 08 4 Prez! on Aug 29, 2008 at 03:04 AM
Make some of those lazy welfare recipients go to work and DSS would have some money. Can't bury a child you placed, but can hand out food stamp and welfare checks every month. I'm tired of working, what are you going to do for me? If I don't work and pay my own life insurance who is going to bury me? DSS....NOOOOO!

Posted by: Ted Location: Greenville on Aug 28, 2008 at 07:14 PM
First, I'm very sorry this child died. But she was removed from her parents by DSS and placed in that foster home by DSS, seems to me DSS should be responsible for any funeral costs.

Posted by: Saddened Location: Greenville on Aug 28, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Poor girl! I taught this smart young girl a few years ago. She was a wonderful young girl who had been through it all! I think this was the best family she has been with. Bless her to have her life come to such a tragic end. She had a beautiful smile and lots of wisdom! RIP Tiera!

Posted by: PiR8 Location: Greenville on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:34 PM
My heart goes out to this family. I really can't see how anyone is to blame. They first reported that the entire family was headed out and that she ran back the other way. Maybe she was trying to go back and get something? Who knows? They tried to go back and find her but the flames/fire was too much to bear to go back in. This is just one of those awful tragedies that happens. My thoughts & prayers are with her family and friends.

Posted by: heartfelt on Aug 28, 2008 at 01:31 PM
I am sure that this incident has touched many, many lifes...just as it has touched mine. Whenever bad things happen, people are always looking to blame someone. I personally do not feel that DSS or the foster family can be blamed. This is an awful tragedy. My prayers go out to all involved.

Posted by: GoPirates Location: GVegas on Aug 28, 2008 at 01:16 PM
I was just wondering. The story never stated how the rest of the family got out and she didnt?? Was she trying to get out or are they not investigating any further?

Posted by: Steve Location: Kinston on Aug 27, 2008 at 10:54 PM
I still maintain that my suggestion of many times is appropriate for the tragedy that occurred---Disband the DSS and all of the social systems that promote neglect and sorriness and encourages illegitimacy and corruption of family values. A man and a woman who have a child OWE that child a loving and nurturing home environment. That being said, I still grieve for the people who have experienced this terrible tragedy. May they find peace of heart in this time of sadness.

Posted by: William Location: Kinston on Aug 27, 2008 at 09:30 PM
I'm amazed that DSS says since the home passed inspection 18 months ago that it must have had working smoke detectors! I guess DSS has never heard of batteries going bad. As with my smoke detectors, they chirp when the batteries are dying....where people are apt to take them out to stop the chirping. I wonder if Kinston police found any batteries in the home's detectors?

Posted by: sqsblaize Location: Goldsboro on Aug 27, 2008 at 08:11 PM
So because they have had a excellent record of caring for children during a 9 year period, they will have the protective eyes of DSS turned away so another child can die in their care between the two year inspections? If this were a birth family you can bet your paycheck any kids they still have would be removed from their custody pending a full investigation into why their smoke alarms were deactivated. Disgusting

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