Mother of Jaclyn Marie Coleman issued complaint to DCF before David Almond’s death in Fall River

The mother of Jaclyn Marie Coleman feels that David Almond would be alive today if DCF would have taken her complaint seriously.

According to WCVB, Mary Lou Garcia, whose 3-year-old grandson was found with the two Almond brothers at 107 Green Street, says she called DCF in August, concerned about drug use and child neglect at the residence.

David Almond would be dead two months later.

On March 26th 2021, a Bristol County Grand Jury indicted David’s father, John Almond, 33, and Coleman, 26,​ on charges of Second Degree Murder and Neglect of a Disabled Person–Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. Coleman was also indicted on a charge of Withholding Evidence From an Official Proceeding.

On April 12th, Almond and Coleman were arraigned in Fall River and entered a not guilty plea. Both are currently committed without bail.

Garcia says that she reported substance abuse and the disaster in the home to DCF and that the children looked like they had bones on bones.

Her complaint was reportedly not fully investigated by DCF so the agency did not go in person to check on the children.

At around 7:45 a.m. on October 21st, Fall River Police received a 911 call regarding an unresponsive male. When police arrived on scene, they found David Almond to be covered in feces and living in abhorrent conditions. He was later pronounced deceased.

Michael Almond, was also the victim of neglect as he was found in an emaciated condition and was transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital for treatment.

During the arraignment, it was stated that preliminary exams revealed that both brothers had fentanyl in their system. Heroin was reportedly found in the apartment.

DCF had previously taken away the children due to allegations of neglect and drug abuse, but the children were reunited with Almond and Coleman despite concerns.

According to WCVB, Garcia is attempting to have a kinship placement arrangement with her grandson, but so far it has been denied by DCF due to Garcia’s past involvement with the department over ten years ago when she was a domestic abuse victim despite Garcia working in social services and recently taking parenting classes.

“I did nothing wrong. I was a victim, not a perpetrator. That should all be irrelevant. DCF doesn’t care about destroying families, they just want to separate them from everyone who does the right thing, but those who do the wrong thing, they put them together.”