State to pay for burial of 6-month-old baby who died in temporary foster care in Brevard County

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A 6-month-old baby boy in Brevard County who died more than four months ago in the care of the Department of Children and Families will finally be laid to rest. There was a back and forth over who would pay for the burial, and the baby has remained at the morgue.

After Channel 9′s investigation into the child’s death aired this week, we learned the state will now pick up the costs. Channel 9 also learned that 6-month-old Scorpio Sharp’s death has now been ruled a homicide. 

The newborn was found in a plastic container inside a unit at the Palms East complex in Cape Canaveral in March. Brevard Family Partnership, a subcontractor of DCF, sent a check to cover burial expenses, which is required by law because the child was in state custody.

READ: 6-month-old baby in temporary foster care found dead in Brevard County apartment: What led up to the discovery

The child's biological mother had lost custody, and hasn't been able to see the child at the morgue.

"I feel let down, you know, just like I have no right, no say so, or I have no voice," his mother Roxanne Raphael said.

DCF placed the child in the temporary care of 25-year-old Ricky Tubbs in February. The agency told us Tubbs and another man living in the home passed all background checks.

Brevard County deputies discovered the baby boy after they spotted two other young children living in the home wandering around the neighborhood, unattended. That day, the children were left in the care of Tanya Galvin, who investigators said had a documented history of violence.

READ: ‘He’s pure evil’: Man with 230 prior felony charges, 2 others arrested on charges related to killing of 3 friends prior to fishing trip in Polk County

"Just trying to get to the bottom to see how much investigation was done to make sure these children were safe," attorney Orlando Sheppard told Jones.  

DCF took Tubbs at her word when she told them no one else was living in the home. We did a quick search of Galvin through Brevard County court records and probation records list the apartment as her address. 

DCF told us four welfare visits were done between Feb. 15, the date of placement, and March 1 and Galvin was not present during those visits. Galvin remains in jail on no bond and charged with aggravated manslaughter. Tubbs has since bonded out, and faces a child neglect charge.

Video: 6-month-old baby in temporary foster care found dead in Brevard County apartment: What led up to the discovery A 6-month-old baby who the Department of Children and Families placed in temporary foster care is now dead.

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