Tammy Risen gave Local 12’s Chief Investigative Reporter Duane Pohlman a box full of medical files that contain thousands of pages of medical and legal documents related to child protection and custody of her now-deceased granddaughter, Avery Hobbs.
The documents reveal allegations of abuse that Avery endured for years and the desperation Avery’s family faced trying to save her.
Averylee Hobbs was not even a month old when she nearly died in a bathtub on Oct. 19, 2011.
Avery’s skull was fractured and her mother, Britney Roll, was soon charged in connection with her daughter’s injuries.
In a criminal complaint filed in Hamilton County Municipal Court, a detective working on the case reported that Britney confessed to harming Avery.
During psychological evaluations, the therapist noted that Britney had told her, “I really don’t know what happened.”
Britney was arrested, charged and later pleaded guilty to child endangerment. She was sentenced to six months in prison.
Records from Hamilton County Job and Family Services (HCJFS) state Avery’s father, Jamie Hobbs, was, “not interested in caring for Avery.” But Jamie’s mother, Avery’s grandmother Tammy, was.
Tammy and her husband, Jonathan Risen, say they had cared for Avery nearly every day since she was just 2 days old.
The Risens got temporary custody of Avery on March 19, 2012.
“We had a guardianship through Job and Family Services,” Tammy explained, adding that they would care for her for years to come.
The Risens filed for full custody of Avery. Elizabeth Tanner, a nurse practitioner, supported the move, writing a letter on June 29, 2012, “I would recommend Tammy Risen be considered for this role.”
But Britney filed for custody of her daughter, as well. When she was released from prison, HCJFS, which oversees child protection, allowed Britney visitation rights with Avery.
HCJFS records reveal trouble was noted the very first time Avery was with her mother again.
“I got a call from Avery’s grandmother saying that Avery fell over and hit her head,” Tammy recalled.
Avery was 8 months old and returned to the Risens with an egg-sized knot on her forehead. The social worker stated it was “an accident.” The Risens say it would be the first in a long list of marks and bruises that appeared on Avery over the next three years.
When asked how many incidents, Jonathan said, “Every visitation.”
The Risens took pictures of Avery’s bruises, cuts and marks every time.
“She would always come back with bruises on her legs,” Jonathan stated, interrupted by Tammy who noted the bruises on Avery’s shins seemed to be in the shape of fingerprints.
In other photos, Avery bore bruises intermittently on her back.
“She had bruises going up her spine from the buttons on her outfit,” Jonathan explained.
And Tammy said other photos revealed, “Human bite marks on her feet."
In February of 2014, it looked like that nightmare had finally ended. HCJFS recommended the Risens get permanent custody of Avery to raise her in their home.
But in March of 2015, over the objections of most of Avery’s family members, the guardian-ad-litem recommended that Avery’s mother, Britney get custody.
In a Review Report filed with the court, the guardian wrote, “This GAL has no concerns with this placement." The magistrate and judge approved it, sending Avery to live with her mother for good.
“I told them in court,” Tammy recalled, “I said you just killed her.”
A year later, on July 29, 2016, EMS crews rushed to a home in West Price Hill to find Avery unresponsive in a bathtub. She was brought to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. This time, she was placed on life support.
Averylee Hobbs died on Aug. 1, 2016.
In the coroner’s report, a long list of injuries was noted all over Avery’s body, consistent with what the Risens had reported for years. Cause of death was listed as blunt force injuries to her head.
The Risens were forced to say goodbye to a precious little girl they so desperately tried to save. Jonathan cried when he recalled the trauma of seeing Avery that day.
Britney Roll Mayes had another baby from another husband in jail, but a judge ordered the baby removed from her immediately after the birth.
She faces aggravated murder and three other felony counts in connection to Avery’s death and has pleaded not guilty.
Her case is scheduled to begin in January of next year.
You must be logged in to see or use the Shoutbox. Besides, if you haven't registered, you really should. It's quick and it will make your life a little better. Trust me. So just register and make yourself at home with like-minded individuals who share either your morbid curiousity or sense of gallows humor.
local12.com
