Foster Parent Sentenced To Prison In Death Of 13-month-old Child

By H. Nelson Goodson
July 8, 2009

Milwaukee - On Tuesday, Crystal Keith, 25, was sentenced by Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Patricia McMahon to 50 years in prison and 25 years of supervision in the November 2008 beating death of 13-month-old Christopher Thomas. Keith was also sentenced for torturing Thomas’ 2-year-old sister. Keith is the Thomas kinship aunt, according to court records.
In May, Keith was convicted of 1st-Degree Reckless Homicide and Child Abuse - Intentionally Cause Great Bodily Harm, both felonies.
The death of Thomas resulted in changes within the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families' Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare. Caseworkers are now required to visit children in foster homes twice a month.
La Causa a South side non-profit organization was previously awarded an 11 million child welfare contract to provide ongoing case management and safety services for 650 cases and had employed 120 child welfare case workers.
An internal investigation by the state blamed La Causa for mishandling Thomas case. The state found that a case worker from La Causa was inexperienced, lacked adequate training and failed to supervise both Thomas and his 2-year-old sister.
In December 2008, Hugo Cardona, former president and CEO of La Causa decided to end the 11 million contract with the state shortly after Thomas death. Cardona personally turned in the agency’s decision to end the contract to Reggie Bicha, Secretary of the state's Department of Children and Families.
In May 2009, Integrated Family Services took over the state contract and hired most of La Causa’s staff for managing the child welfare services. Integrated Family Services is a nonprofit subsidiary of St. Aemilian-Lakeside, according to state's Department of Children and Families.