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Timothy Jones Jr.- Case Archive
personpersonSherry HenrySherry HenryRetired Lexington County Department of Social Services employee who worked there for twenty-seven years.← All People
Witness

Sherry Henry

Courtroom still of Sherry Henry.

Retired Lexington County Department of Social Services employee who worked there for twenty-seven years.

Appeared2019 Murder Trial
221 lines·4 proceedings

About

Sherry Henry, a retired Lexington County Department of Social Services caseworker, testified on Day 20 about two 2014 DSS investigations involving the Jones children. She described the May report concerning marks on Nahtahn, the resulting safety plan, and DSS's finding of substantial risk of physical abuse without additional services. She also described the August assessment, including her examination of the children and photographs from that investigation and the trailer that were admitted as defense exhibits.

On cross-examination, Suzanne Mayes used the safety-plan records to review the recorded allegations and restrictions. Henry confirmed that the May matter was founded for substantial risk of physical abuse and that the August plan covered all the children. She read its written requirement that Jones agree not to use physical discipline on any child. She also said she lacked notes for some interviews and did not know of a reported concern about spanking during a Disney World trip.

On redirect, Robert Madsen addressed the July closure of the first case and the wording of the second safety plan. Although the plan did not use the phrase "no corporal punishment," Henry testified that its intent was that Jones not spank the children; Defendant's Exhibit 235 was admitted. On recross, she confirmed her understanding that he had verbally agreed not to spank the children.

Trial Record (4)

Murder2019 Murder TrialApr 29, 2019 – Jun 13, 2019Called by defense

Sherry Henry, a retired DSS caseworker, testified about two 2014 investigations, the safety plans DSS imposed, and the agency's assessment outcomes. Her examination also addressed whether Timothy Jones understood a condition that he not spank the children.

Day 20

DirectSherry Henry — DirectSherry HenryRobert Madsen4highlights122lines spoken

Summary

DSS caseworker Sherry Henry described two 2014 investigations, a safety plan, case findings, and defense photographs admitted into evidence.

Highlights (4)

Quote“But in this case, because of the physicalness and the marks on the child, it was that you will use no discipline with them. You will not horseplay. You will not wrestle with the children.”— Sherry HenryHenry described the specific safety-plan restrictions imposed during the May 2014 DSS investigation.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
Quote“It's saying that we were going to substantiate the case or found the case for as like a threat of harm, a possibility it could happen, okay, the kids could be physically abused, but that there would be no service, there would be no treatment intervention into the family.”— Sherry HenryHenry explained the agency's substantial-risk finding and the absence of further services.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
CrossSherry Henry — CrossSherry HenrySuzanne Mayes1highlight89lines spoken

Summary

Sherry Henry confirmed that DSS safety plans barred corporal punishment and described limits in her knowledge and records concerning the August 2014 report.

Highlights (1)

Quote“One, Mr. Jones will agree not to use any physical discipline on any of the children and will use restrictions, now, I have et cetera.”— Sherry HenryHenry described a central restriction in the safety plan.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
RedirectSherry Henry — RedirectSherry HenryRobert Madsen2highlights9lines spoken

Summary

Sherry Henry distinguished the second DSS safety plan's written conditions from her understanding that Jones was not to spank the children; the court admitted Defendant's Exhibit 235.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightHenry said the second safety plan did not state a no-corporal-punishment condition, while maintaining that its intent was for Tim Jones not to spank the children.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
Quote“But the intent is that he knew that he was not to spank the children.”— Sherry HenryHenry distinguished the written terms of the second safety plan from what she said its intended instruction was.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
RecrossSherry Henry — RecrossSherry HenrySuzanne Mayes2highlights1line spoken

Summary

Sherry Henry confirmed that he knew he had agreed not to spank the children.

Highlights (2)