NJ agency in spotlight after deaths of mom, boy
By KATHY MATHESON, Associated Press
Aug 23, 2012 12:59 AM CDT
NJ agency in spotlight after deaths of mom, boy
A neighbor sits on her porch as police officers stand near the open doorway of 1415 Kaighn Ave., in Camden, N.J., Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012. Police say a New Jersey mother apparently decapitated her 2-year-old boy and put his head in the freezer of their home before she fatally stabbed herself. Chevonne...   (Associated Press)

New Jersey's child-welfare agency says it will review its role in the case of a mother who decapitated her 2-year-old son and killed herself just five months after regaining custody of the child.

The Department of Children and Families said Wednesday it had been working with members of Chevonne Thomas' family to support the woman and her son, who were reunited under a court order in April.

Police on Wednesday found the body of 2-year-old Zahree Thomas on the first floor of the Camden rowhouse he shared with his mother. Chevonne Thomas fatally stabbed herself in the neck after calling 911 to report her son's slaying, authorities said.

Thomas lost custody of Zahree after being charged in 2010 with child endangerment.

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