WAHIAWA, Hawaii (AP) – The tragic case of 10-year-old Geanna Bradley has left the community reeling, once again raising concerns about the involvement of the state in placing and overseeing children in foster care. According to Honolulu police, Geanna was subjected to severe abuse and neglect by her legal guardians, Thomas and Brandy Blas, before she was ultimately killed. This case draws eerie similarities to another recent case involving 6-year-old Ariel Sellers, who suffered a similar fate at the hands of her adoptive parents.
Geanna, who lived in Wahiawa, was found dead when first responders were called to her home on Jan. 18. The Blases, along with Brandy Blas’ mother, were arrested and face charges of second-degree murder, kidnapping, and unlawful imprisonment. Geanna had been living with the Blases as legal guardians since 2018, receiving monthly payments from the state for her care.
It is believed that Geanna was under the care of the state’s Child Welfare Services before being placed with the Blases as foster parents and later becoming their legal guardians. However, the CWS has remained tight-lipped about its involvement in the case, leaving many questions unanswered.
In addition to the concerning lack of transparency from CWS, the circumstances surrounding Geanna’s homeschooling and the reported financial arrangements with the Blases have raised further suspicions. All of these factors point to potential oversight and monitoring failures by the state, prompting demands for accountability from public officials.
The tragic outcome of Geanna’s case highlights the need for a thorough investigation into the role of the state and its agencies in overseeing and protecting vulnerable children. The community’s demand for transparency and accountability from the Department of Human Services has intensified, with calls for open and honest dialogue about the handling of such cases.
Without clear and honest communication from the state and its agencies, the public is left to draw its own conclusions about the shortcomings in the system and the need for urgent reforms to prevent similar tragedies in the future. As the community grapples with the devastating loss of Geanna and other children, the need for swift and decisive action to ensure the safety and well-being of all children in state custody cannot be overstated.