Friday, March 05, 1999
Justin's birth mother misled us, co-workers say
Child's 'death' led to gifts
BY SUSAN VELA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — Regina Moore says it's all a huge misunderstanding. When co-workers learned last year that her son, Justin, had died, plant workers at the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) national headquarters in Cold Spring wanted to help out.
About 60 or 70 employees pitched in and gave her about $100, which they thought would go toward the child's funeral. Less than a week later, Ms. Moore, a temporary worker, left that job.
They were surprised a year later when they learned through the media that not only had Justin not died, but Ms. Moore was trying to get him back after she had placed him with an Ohio couple for possible adoption.
Greg Jackson, human resources manager at the DAV facility, said workers there are upset and believe they were lied to.
“Even if it's a temporary employee, we have a history of taking care of those who need help,” Mr. Jackson said. “We've been duped. We've been conned.”
Ms. Moore acknowledged accepting about $35 from the DAV employees, but said she never told them Justin had died.
She said she was constantly upset back then. She said she was advised to tell everyone that Justin was sick rather than to tell them the truth of his placement for adoption.
She remembers crying almost every day, usually after arriving for work, and explain ing that “my son's gone” and “he's not with me.” She figures that's how her co-workers leapt to the conclusion that Justin had died.
“I never said my son's dead,” she said. But, “here I am, crying constantly, saying "my son's gone' (and) "he's not with me.' I was not allowed to tell anyone” the truth.
She said co-workers had approached her with money and she said no to their offers. But they wouldn't allow her to keep saying no, she said.
She denied trying to scam anyone. “I'll give them the money back” if they want it, she said.
Shannon McCullough remembers Ms. Moore's stories about Justin. She said that his health always seemed to be worsening.
“The last time, she said that he had died and we collected money for her,” she said. Anyone who would “lie about a child's dying would not be a good mother, ever.”
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