DCF Investigated For Lack of Supervision Involving East Haven Mother: Report

In the past 48 hours much has been written regarding the criminal past of LeRoya Moore, 36, whose two children, Daaron, 7, and Aleisha, 6, died inside their 541 Strong Street house Tuesday in East Haven possibly due to a natural gas leak.

East Haven police have called the children’s deaths “suspicious” but no criminal charges have been filed as of Friday evening. Their investigation is continuing.

The Hartford Courant reports Friday evening that the state Child’s Advocate Office is investigating why child-protection officials didn’t continue to supervise Moore after her most recent run-in with the law in September 2014.

In that case, Moore allegedly assaulted her ex-husband Michael Moore in front of their kids magnet school in New Haven. LeRoya Moore allegedly struck her ex-spouse three times with a “clenched fist” while in the presence of the two children. Those criminal charges are pending.

There were reports of “suspected abuse or neglect” of the two youths as recent as the fall of 2014, the paper reports. The state Child Advocate’s Office says it doesn’t appear there was any follow up by DCF. DCF officials told the Courant they too are investigating.

Related story: Vigil Planned Tonight (June 5) To Mourn 2 East Haven Children Who Died Tragically

In 2006 LeRoya Moore had two other children removed from her custody after she repeatedly beat her 4-year-old daughter with the handle of a sponge mop. LeRoya Moore’s daughter said she was beaten for spilling juice and screaming, the Courant reported in a story Thursday.

A 911 call released Wednesday revealed that LeRoya Moore was suicidal before the incident.

The mother wrote a letter to her friend saying she planned to harm herself. In the 911 call, the friend said the mother indicated she had cut herself.

The New Haven Register reported that the Medical Examiner’s office said the cause of death won’t be finalized for up to eight weeks.

Read the full Hartford Courant story involving the state Child’s Advocate Office probe here.

What Police Have Said About the Tragedy

Up until now, police will only say they are conducting a “suspicious death investigation” after the two children were found dead inside their house.

Police believe a gas leak may be responsible for the children’s deaths. Police have said they think the gas could have been turned on, on purpose.

It’s likely the children were in the house for more than 24 hours, officials said.

Emergency responders were called to the house at 2:41 p.m. Tuesday after the mother’s friend called police.

Upon arriving at the address, officers located a despondent 36 year-old female resident with apparent injuries, Police Lt. David Emerman has said.

“Upon further investigation, responding officers entered the residence and found an active gas leak within,” Emerman said. “While checking the residence for more occupants, officers located a deceased (6) year-old and 7 year-old. No other occupants of the residence were located.”

Responding officers exited the residence until fire personnel and the gas company could make the residence safe, police said.

Due to the exposure from the gas, three responding police officers were treated on scene by the East Haven Fire Department and later transported by AMR Ambulance to Yale-New Haven Hospital, police said.

Additionally, LeRoya Moore was also transported via ambulance to Yale-New Haven Hospital.

This investigation is being conducted by the East Haven Police Department Detective Division with assistance from the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad, New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the East Haven Police Detective Division at 203-468-3827.