Urgent Funds for Kiauna's Safe Return to US

I am from Epworth, Iowa and I’m currently in Jamaica attempting to bring my foster daughter, also a US citizen, home from Youth of Vision Academy (YOVA) where she was placed by a previous guardian. I flew in yesterday with the court order giving me guardianship but was refused access to her by YOVA’s Director Noel Reid. Prior to my arrival it was my understanding that the US Embassy would help me retrieve her but upon arrival I was notified they would not assist. I spent all of my money to come to retrieve her and have all legal rights to her yet am being denied. Worst than that despite constant efforts to get help from both Jamaican and American systems intended to protect us, I have consistently run into dead ends. I already extended my stay a day and do not have the money to continue to do so but cannot leave without her! I’m beyond disappointed and disgusted that it is this easy for corrupt individuals to navigate around our country and laws to hurt US citizens with no response from our country! I am desperate and begging for immediate assistance in rescuing my foster daughter from continued abuse, neglect, and trafficking!

Kiauna Neveah Hester first came to live with me in October of 2022 after her then guardian, Heather, refused to pick her up following a committal in a hospital. Heather believed Kiauna needed to be placed long-term but the doctors disagreed and released her. DHS was called when she refused to pick her up and at that time Kiauna asked them if she could just live with me. They called and asked me to take her in to which I agreed. DHS never pursued any neglect or abandonment charges nor even opened an ongoing case. They just placed her with me and ended the case. Heather contacted me after a while asking to meet. We met and she first tried to convince me that I had no idea how bad Kiauna was by describing all of her concerns for her behaviors. She then mentioned she had found a “renowned Christian residential treatment center that specializes in the treatment of Reactive Attachment Disorder” in Jamaica. Kiauna was given a choice and chose to stay with me

As typical for children with RAD, Kiauna continued her behaviors especially once we signed guardianship papers for me to take over guardianship. Those papers were put on hold and ended up never being submitted to the courts before Kiauna was brought to Jamaica by Heather in May 2023. I was not able to have any contact with her since the day she left my house. I attempted to contact YOVA and tried to go through Heather to have contact and was continually denied. After a year I learned of previous youth from YOVA leaving and sharing their stories of abuse. At that time I worked in conjunction with an attorney to get emergency guardianship and booked my trip to come retrieve her.

Noel Reid wouldn’t release her without Heather’s approval but she had no rights to her. Since Heather has no rights, the rights she signed over to YOVA are non-existent as well yet they refuse to return her to me.

Please, please help me get Kiauna and bring her home with me immediately!! She is nearly 18 and the thought they may sell her off completely scares me beyond imagination so I cannot return to the US without her!

Thank you so much in advance for your assistance and support in this matter!

I need money for the additional expenses we are accruing on the trip that had to be extended due to lack of government support. Any extra money will be used to help support Kiauna in her transition back to the US and to get her the necessities and treatment necessary. God bless all tha can help and the prayers of those who cannot at this time.

Sincerely,

Tina L. Rice