Some children tell social workers they had seen frequent drug use and criminal activity.
During a trial in D.C. Superior Court, Blackmond is found neglectful of her eight children, who remain with foster families. One family cares for Brianna and a sister. Blackmond eventually will have at least four requests for her children denied. On the verge of homelessness, Blackmond moves into the Bates Street NW home of Angela T. O'Brien, who in 1998 had her four children taken away by D.C. authorities because of allegations of physical and emotional abuse. The O'Brien children later were returned because of a lack of proof that O'Brien was the abuser.