In Loving Memory of Prince

Today, my son Prince would have been two years old…had he survived.  I have posted a memorial video for Prince on YouTube and ask that everyone share this video liberally (Link provided below).

While many people who had a part in what happened to my son would likely rather forget about what happened, and certainly want to forget and/or deny their role in it, I want them to have to see his face on his birthday and imagine the life he should have had.

For those of you who don’t know our story, and are coming to this site for the first time, I hope that you will take the time to understand what happened and what needs to happen in order to protect other children from the same fate that my son suffered.  After fighting a long, expensive, and emotionally devastating Custody War (I don’t call it battle because a battle seems more finite than what happens in Family Court), Judge Michael Algeo in Montgomery County, MD ordered that my son have unsupervised visitation with his father.  This decision came after Dr. Margaret Wong (from Ashburn Psychological Services in Ashburn, VA) testified in court that my son’s father was psychologically sound and that Prince would be safe in his care.

On July 12, 2012, the court ordered that my son spend unsupervised time with his father each week – despite the fact that several witnesses testified to the disturbing history of abuse and murder that surrounded his father.  My son only lasted about four unsupervised visits before he was brutally drowned during the visit on October 20,2012.  A week after my son was murdered, I learned from police that his father had taken out over $560,000 in life insurance policies on Prince.  On the policy paperwork, he lied to the insurance companies saying that he had custody of Prince and that I was dead.  It was then that I realized that his involvement in Family Court was for the sole purpose of gaining access so that he could murder my son and financially profit off of the murder.

While I should be celebrating this day with a bubbly, healthy little two-year old, I am forced to mourn the life he should have had.  I wish that I could say my son was the first and would be the last child to die this way; however, from what I have learned about our family court system I am sure this will not be the case.  Until we as Americans start to realize this systemic problem, children will continue to suffer.  When two parents go to court about custody of a child, the discussion should never be focused on the rights of the parents.  The only things that should come into play are the rights of the child.  My son’s civil right to life was denied.

Sadly, the Montgomery County, MD court is not the only part of the justice system that should be questioning their decisions.  It is my firm belief that police corruption in the Prince William County, VA Police department has assisted in helping my son’s father evade the law for several years and assisted in this man collecting a large group of victims.  I will not call officers out by name, however, in time I believe they will have to answer for their own sins in connection with some terrible crimes.  If it weren’t for the work of a few honorable officers in the Manassas, VA Police Department, I am not sure if this man would have ever been taken off of the streets.

My son is an angel.  He was an angel before he was born, during life, and certainly remains so to this day.  In his 15 months of life, he made more of an impact than many people do in an entire lifetime.  I ask of you all to please share this video with as many people as possible.  I also ask that regardless of whether your life is personally impacted by what happens in Family Court, that you continue to talk about how dangerously flawed our courts have become.  My son suffered terribly, but there are still other children who are forced by the courts to live in abusive situations every day despite the pleas of a protective parent.  These children will one day be adults and the problems that began in Family Court will come knocking on the door of every American.

I thank you all for your incredible support over these past months.  Without the support of my family, friends, and my readers, this would be infinitely more difficult.

Please help me spread the word about this issue and help me keep my son’s memory alive by sharing this video:

In Loving Memory Of Prince

My son’s father is currently awaiting trial for first degree murder in the Prince William County Adult Penitentiary.  For more information on this case, here are some of the better articles that have been written.

Death of a toddler raises questions in Montgomery, Pr. William

Montgomery County Court System Failed Prince McLeod Rams

Mother of dead infant, Prince McLeod Rams, files civil suit against Ashburn psychology firm

 Prince McLeod Rams Death Raises Questions In Joaquin Rams, Shawn K. Mason Cases

Mystery Deepens in Joaquin Rams Case

 

 

 

14 Comments

  1. MaryCannon Derisory Apodaca on July 1, 2013 at 3:19 am

    I have shared you message in every way available to me.
    I have the highest respect and admiration for you.
    My heart breaks that you are experiencing this day alone.
    My little great Granddaughter turned 2 May 19. My daughter rescued her own daughter just a few months before the baby was born. She was trapped with a man who threatened to tie her up and restrain her until the baby was born then keep the baby, My daughter fought hard and thankfully the courts have so far listened. There is no DNA proof the man is the father and the courts will not proceed with any visitation requests until he proves he is the bio father. He hasn’t the financial means to do this, nor to hire an attorney so for now she is safe.
    My daughter also rescued her youngest daughter from a wicked woman and the child’s bio father who abused her terribly. He was also a Luc who finagled behind my daughters back to gain custody of the little girl. She was abused in ways she will not even discuss with anyone to this day, but we KNOW she was severely beaten many time. It was when she ran away and the horrible bruises from her shoulder blades to the backs of her knees were discovered. Hayers of bruising… new, old, older and even older… The courts would not listen to my daughter in this case. It took the severe abuse to show up before anyone would believe… She survived, and now at age 17 and a Junior in high school has enough credits to graduate, but has opted to take college course through her school and graduate with her class. In the meantime she has spent a semester as Page in this State House of Representatives. We are lucky she survived the abuse and escaped.
    I am so angry that our judicial system does not recognize the RIGHTS of a child. No child should ever have to suffer.



  2. Charles J Stecker Jr on July 1, 2013 at 3:53 am

    At the tender age of 4 years old I witnessed my 2 year old brother be murdered in front of me by an Approved Philadelphia PA DHS Care Giver. A care giver that had another child die in her care just 10 months prior to my brothers death. For many years I fought to find records on my brother here in Philadelphia only to be told there were none. 44 years, Yes I said 44 Years, after my brothers death I was able to have those records finally found only to have the City of Philadelphia immediately DENY myself and Anyone for that matter any access to see or obtain copies of those records. Please Read this Front Cover News Story written about me here in Philadelphia PA in 2011 to find out more of the story and what DIDN’T happen…

    http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/news-and-opinion/cover-story/Man-Seeks-Answers-44-Years-After-Witnessing-Brothers-Death.html



    • cappuccinoqueen on July 1, 2013 at 5:24 am

      Charles, thank you for sharing your story. That is so horrible what happened to you and your brother. I just can’t understand why there are so many evil people in this world. What is very disturbing about your brother’s case is that it doesn’t appear as though much was done! How did this person get to care for another child after one in her care already died? I hope that you find the answers you deserve.



      • Charles J Stecker Jr on July 1, 2013 at 7:42 am

        Today I am the Founder and Director of the International Child Abuse Prevention Task Force Inc. and an Inspirational Speaker through Chshlie’s Angels LLC.

        I am embarking on a 50 United States Capital and Washington DC speaking Tour beginning April 1, 2014. I am calling it the “Turn Up The Volume” Tour. Giving the Voices back to the Voiceless. I would consider it an Honor and Privilege if you would come out to Speak at your State Capitsl when the Tour comes through your Stste.

        In 2015 I’m planning a One Year World Tour with the same name “Turn Up The Volume” and hoping to get to every country that a United Ststes Citizen is allowed in to speak st each countries Capital or Government Seat so that the Voices of the Voiceless will be heard Around The Wotld.



        • cappuccinoqueen on July 1, 2013 at 9:57 am

          Charles, sign me up! I will do whatever I can to help you with your goal in this. Send me an email through the contact page on this site and we can coordinate. I also have some contacts that I would like to introduce you to that could help you get your message out.



  3. Nichole W. on July 1, 2013 at 5:00 am

    May peace carry you through the hardest parts of today. I am so sorry for your loss and I pray you get justice.



  4. Michelle on July 1, 2013 at 8:11 am

    Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, especially today. I can’t even imagine how difficult this day must be, although I’m sure each and every day without your beautiful son must be so very painful. May God give you the strength to keep fighting for justice for your baby boy! HUGS



  5. […] Birthday Baby Boy – Mama is gonna start a revolution!”     Hera McLeod Numbers of shared posts sometimes don't register here, and still arrive wherever you send them. […]



  6. Ann E. on July 2, 2013 at 7:35 pm

    Dear Hera,
    Bless your strong, sweet, loving, gracious, beautiful heart!

    There is so much love there, shining out of that video.

    Thank you for sharing your memories of your precious, lovely son with us. I cannot imagine the depth of your loss at his death, but I am so happy for you that you’ve lived with him the wonder of his life.

    I will spread his story where ever I can.



    • cappuccinoqueen on July 3, 2013 at 4:35 pm

      Thanks so much Ann. 🙂



  7. Christine on July 13, 2013 at 11:47 am

    Precious beyond words! What a little Prince God gave you! The video you posted speaks volumes about how loved he was and how tenderly he was cared for. God bless you Hera. I continue to think of you and pray for you, and for justice for little Prince.



  8. wildninja on July 31, 2013 at 7:01 pm

    A comment was just left on an article about sociopaths on my blog directing me to yours. I just read your story and want to send a resounding virtual high five your way for standing up for the truth. I am so sorry that you endured such a preventable loss and can’t even imagine what that feels like. But you are obviously a strong woman who’s not going to quietly exit the situation and cower in fear– instead, you are shining light in dark places. I hope that God brings you justice– know that if it doesn’t come quickly, you will get it eventually, perhaps in an unexpected form. Bless you for sticking to your guns and searching for the truth.



  9. wildninja on July 31, 2013 at 7:13 pm

    Also, I’m a contributor to the Time’s Up crime victims advocacy blog, http://timesupblog.blogspot.com/, and have suggested to the site administrator that we get your story on there as a guest blogger. Normally I research and write my own posts on cases, but you’re so articulate that I see no need to rewrite anything. There’s a “contact” page on that site if you want to pursue this yourself. This would be a great way to get the word out and there are contributors to this site who are experts in this field.



  10. Jessica on August 22, 2013 at 12:16 pm

    Just came across your site. I am so sorry for your loss.