Adoption Murder In Bayfield, Colorado
Dennis and Sandy Evers, according to friends and neighbors,
had a close and loving family. Indeed, they appeared to be
well liked in their community. In addition to their seven
biological and three adopted children, the Everses have
cared for more than 60 foster children.
But all was not well on the night of June 13th, 1998. When
Dennis and Sandy Evers went to bed, their adopted daughter,
6-year-old Roberta Evers, was restrained in her bed, covered
with bruises, and dead from choking on her own vomit.
The Evers' said she was confined because she hurt herself
and misbehavior resulting from abuse by her biological
parents earlier in life. They also claim that Roberta was
alive when they went to bed. But the autopsy showed the
above conditions as well as a large amount of stomach
contents in Roberta’s body proved she died early on the
night of June 13 – and was not alive when the Evers
retired at 11:30 P.M.
Dennis and Sandy Evers were tried in May, 1999 on charges
of criminally negligent child abuse resulting in serious
bodily injury. Roberta was removed from her birth family
due to having been severely sexually abused. District
Attorney Sarah Law also put forth new evidence and theory:
that Roberta had been abused through malnourishment when
the couple allegedly withheld food, water and medical care.
Prosecution witnesses also testified that she was a
normally obedient girl.
The jury, after more than six hours of deliberation on
May 11th, 1999, Dennis and Sandy Evers were convicted
of criminally negligent child abuse resulting in serious
bodily injury. Dennis Evers was also convicted of tampering
with evidence, which carries a sentence of up to 18 months.
Ms. Law had sought a conviction for criminal negligence,
which could have meant up to 12 years in prison. The
lesser charge carries a sentence of up to six years.
At the Evers' sentensing hearing on July 23, 1999, several
members of the jury, though dismissed by Chief District
Judge Greg Lyman and with no further legal standing, made
public a letter to the judge asking that the Everses be
sentenced to a punishment more severe than simply probation.
The judge sentenced Dennis and Sandy Evers to 180 days and
90 days in jail, respectively. The two were also each given
six years of probation. Sandy Evers is to begin her sentence
after Dennies completes his jail time.
A few weeks after Roberta’s death, the Montezuma County
Department of Social Services removed 5-year-old Jessica
May Godfrey and her 2-year-old sister Samantha from the
Evers’ home. They were were placed in the Evers’ home
as foster children by the Montezuma County Department
of Social Services in September 1997. The Evers said
they had hoped to adopt the two girls, and were only two
months away from finalizing their adoption when Roberta
Evers died.
(If anyone has current information on
Child Protection laws in any state,
or on any current systemic abuse cases,
please e-mail me!)
Count Brass
"Too troubled for foster care, kids grow up in institutions"
From the New York Times, May 13, 2001
Adoption Murder In Bayfield, Colorado
Department of Children and Families
Department of Children and Families
Broward County Sun-Sentinel published an excellent series
beginning with:
Adoption Scandal At Hale House
The St. Petersburg Times has published an article
on a family tragedy caused by the system entitled:
Mothers' fears, welfare's limits collide"
Discussion Groups and On-Line Clubs
Strike Back Children's Services
Broward County, Florida
Why is little Ashleigh in State care?