By CELESTE M. HART
LaTorya Witcher lead a protest at the steps of the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, located at 9300 Quincy Avenue, on Wednesday, August 30. Witcher, paternal aunt of Curtis Witcher, three-year-old murdered, allegedly, by his mother, Timmeka Eggleton, 31, and several family members and friends demanded accountability and justice for Curtis. Alison Nelson Floyd, juvenile judge, ordered unsupervised custody to Eggleton just four months prior to Curtis’ death. During the protest, Floyd conducted a hearing for Eggleton who arrived via Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s van and escorted to court. Eggleton, 31, returned to North Coast Behavioral Health facility. August 22nd, Judge Brendan J. Sheehan ordered treatment to stand trial, as Eggleton pleaded not guilty to all charges by reason of insanity. The court docket states Eggleton is restorable. As the van rode by, protesters held posters with Curtis’ pictures, and hollered, ‘Justice for Curtis’.
“I just wanted her (Eggleton) to see his last smile. I wanted to bring his picture into the court. I want her to see the picture of Curtis in a casket,” said Bobby Eddingburgh, Curtis’ father.
Damon Hart, no relation to this reporter, said Bobby fought diligently, trying to make a means to get his son back, he was happy when it happened, and Curtis loved his dad.
Wednesday’s hearing involved custody of Curtis’ younger two-year-old brother, JonJon, believed to be Bobby’s son, but learned in court, untrue.
“For two years, I have been his father, He knew me as his dad. I have lost two sons. I sit in my sorrows,” said Bobby.
Still, Bobby held pages of forms to request legal rights to JonJon, to keep him out of foster homes.
“I am torn, I have a difficult decision… they put me through so much to get Curtis, my own son, back…I’ll think about it though,” said Bobby.
June 14, 2023, Eggleton strolled, in the same stroller, Curtis and JonJon, to the Family Dollar store, 79th Euclid Plaza, and asked customers if she could use a phone. Curtis, appeared deceased, JonJon alive, according to witnesses. Ambulance transported both boys to University Rainbow Children’s Hospital where doctors pronounced Curtis’ death. Manner of death, homicide by blunt force trauma. Cleveland Police arrested both Eggleton and Bobby who was on his job, detained for 24 hours during the investigation that included bus transit videos. Eggleton, charged with aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, and endangering children. She also has a pending grand theft case.
“We do not feel like justice was served when she (Eggleton) pleaded to insanity and gets to live in a mental hospital, while my nephew does not get to live, at all. We want accountability. Not just for Curtis, but for all children. Alison Nelson Floyd should be held accountable. This is not her first indiscretion,” said LaTorya.
She mentioned two prior Floyd transgressions, including, Demel Holiday, killed the next day after Floyd released his killer and the girls Floyd ordered to take lie detector tests in a rape case. A mother, requested anonymity, spoke of her costly ‘humps and hurdles’ in Floyd’s court for the last six years to gain sole custody of her now eight-year-old. Another mother discussed fighting the wrongful rape conviction, 20-years-ago, of her son in Floyd’s court.
Latorya said CPS took Curtis, born February 1, 2020, to foster care directly from hospital, seven days later. The foster family wanted to adopt and warned Floyd about returning Curtis to Eggleton. Floyd removed Curtis in July 2022 and granted Eggleton custody with supervision.
Russ Gates, Curtis’ appointed attorney, warned Floyd in a court motion that requested a continuance of the March 2023 hearing to further supervise Eggleton, Floyd denied and terminated the supervision. three months later, June 14, 2023, Curtis was tortured to death.
“The mother was verbally abusive, beyond what is typical, speaking in a very insulting and demeaning manner, as well as swearing and being dishonest…stated I would not be permitted into her house… unannounced visits are not permitted,” Gates’ motion reads.
“The court finds that the child’s continued residence in or return to the home of the mother, Timmeka Eggleton will not be contrary to the child’s best interest,” the judge’s order states. “The placement of the child is appropriate. The continued supervision is not necessary and not in the child’s best interest,” Floyd’s decision reads.
“I do not want her ( Eggleton) to die. I want her tortured for the rest of her days. I want that judge, (Floyd) to admit she was wrong and be held accountable. My main purpose, now, is justice for Curtis,” said Bobby.
Cuyahoga County officials initiated an investigation into the entire case, including, actions conducted by the court, social workers and the parents,