BALTIMORE (WBFF) — When Maryland removed 2-year-old Le’Zus from his mother’s home, Francesca Trull says she believed one thing was guaranteed: her son would be safe.
Now, after Le’Zus drowned in a backyard swimming pool while living with foster parents in Anne Arundel County, Trull is demanding answers from the agencies responsible for his care.
“I’ll never get Le’Zus back,” Trull told FOX45 News through tears. “I’ll never see my son again. I’ll never get to hear him say, ‘Come on, Mommy, let’s go.'”
The toddler was found unresponsive at a foster home in Brooklyn Park June 27. He had been placed there through Baltimore City Department of Social Services, according to his mother.
As investigators work to determine exactly what happened, Trull says she’s struggling with one overwhelming question.
“You took them from me to protect them. How did you protect Le’Zus?”
Trull knows many people will judge her story because Le’Zus and her other children were in foster care. She addressed those critics directly.
“My son’s story hurts,” she said. “Whether you like me or not, whether you agree with him being in foster care, whether the reason why he’s in foster care even matters, the biggest picture is Baltimore City is failing families, and children are being killed, left to die. They’re not here with their families.”
When asked whether people might dismiss her concerns because of her family’s involvement with the foster care system, Trull said she’s already seeing that reaction online.
“They’re like, ‘Oh, she’s an unfit mother,'” she said.
But she argues that should not change the state’s responsibility.
“No. Your job is to protect them,” Trull said. “You took them from me to protect them.”
She is now calling on Gov. Wes Moore and state leaders to examine what happened.
“Wes Moore has to hear me and understand I’m not a parent that’s going to be silent. I’m not a parent that’s going to stop. I’m a parent demanding change.”
Many of the circumstances surrounding Le’Zus’ death remain unclear, including how the toddler got outside, gain access to the pool, whether the pool was properly secured, and more.
The Maryland Department of Human Services, which oversees the Social Services Administration, system, confirmed it is reviewing the incident, and is working with law enforcement and community partners as the investigation continues.
“We join the community in grieving this heartbreaking tragedy,” the agency said in a statement to FOX45 News. “The safety and well-being of Maryland’s children are our highest priorities.”
However, Trull scoffed at the statement from DHS.
“If the safety and well-being of children are really the highest priority,” Trull said, “I would know how my son got out of the door. I would know why that pool wasn’t covered, why a ladder was still attached to it.”
FOX45 News has requested the police report from Anne Arundel County Police, which is leading the investigation because the foster home is located in Anne Arundel County. The department directed FOX45 to file a Maryland Public Information Act request, which has been submitted.
For Trull, the investigation is about more than determining exactly what happened that day. She said it’s about whether the foster care system charged with protecting vulnerable children will be held accountable when something goes wrong. She said she wants to see criminal charges filed against the foster care parents who were tasked with caring for Le’Zus.
Meanwhile, the reality of the loss became overwhelming for Trull as she looked through photographs of her son with FOX45 News. Holding one picture, she quietly reflected on how recently it had been taken.
“I can’t believe I’ll never see his smile again.”
Follow Political Reporter Mikenzie Frost on X and Facebook. Send tips to mbfrost@sbgtv.com.
Local Story
