Tragic Death of 13-Year-Old Sparks Lawsuit Against NYC Child Welfare
A 13-year-old girl, Jade Smith, was separated from her family by New York City’s child welfare system. Her struggles, including repeated runaways from foster care, culminated in her tragic suicide after she jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge.
In the aftermath, Jade’s family alleges that child welfare officials attempted to cover up their missteps by backdating records following her death. In a poignant lawsuit, her mother, Terry Nimmo, asserts, “ACS murdered Jade Smith.”
The lawsuit details the severe toll the agency’s actions had on the Nimmo family, costing them their home, jobs, and, most heartbreakingly, their daughter. The family claims, “They will never recover.” A year after Jade’s death in January 2023, a caseworker unexpectedly visited their home, bizarrely asking if Jade was “out for the time being,” which deeply unsettled Nimmo.
This experience left her in distress, suffering from nightmares and panic attacks from what she described as a “cruel interaction.”
According to legal documents, Jade was a talented and passionate child, actively expressing herself through art. However, she battled significant mental health challenges, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, leading to several hospitalizations since she was nine.
Reports indicate that she faced hallucinations, believing a “faceless figure” was following her, and often woke up terrified. By age 12, she had attempted to take her own life multiple times.
A key incident in July 2022 changed everything for the family. Jade’s older sister told their mother someone had entered her bedroom at night. This led to incorrect accusations against the stepfather, who was promptly removed from the home. The mother, concerned, communicated this troubling event to the girl’s biological father.
Weeks later, Jade made similar claims to a friend, prompting a call to child services. A caseworker’s visit followed, leading to chaotic repercussions for the family.
The lawsuit states that ACS took no steps to investigate Jade’s medical history or consult her mental health professionals, failing to consider her extensive background of mental health issues.
In September 2022, the agency filed a neglect complaint against the stepfather but overlooked critical details about the family’s situation, according to the lawsuit. The family asserts this led to the dismantling of all support systems in Jade’s life.
Jade ended up in the care of her grandparents, who struggled to manage her needs. After several runaways, the family was further divided, with siblings being kept apart. The family argues the agency’s records were grossly inaccurate, neglecting significant facts about Jade’s mental health struggles.
Following a visit on Christmas 2022, during which Jade expressed her love for her mother, she ran away days later. Tragically, her body was discovered in the East River shortly after.
In response to her death, it was alleged that ACS hastily recorded backdated incident reports, seemingly trying to rationalize their decisions to separate the family. Following months of scrutiny, the family’s life became consumed by the ongoing investigation, impacting their ability to maintain steady jobs and ultimately leading to their homelessness.
A family court judge later exonerated Jade’s parents, deeming the abuse allegations as “extremely implausible,” but noted potential shortcomings in Nimmo’s attentiveness to Jade’s needs. The family is now seeking unspecified damages, expressing that “the compensation will be settled.”
ACS has refrained from discussing the lawsuit but has stated, “The safety and well-being of New York City’s children and youth is our top priority,” expressing sympathy for Jade’s tragic death.
