Syesha Mercado is a young Black mother who has had not one but TWO children stolen by the family policing system known as CPS. It’s simply unacceptable. 

In February 2021, Syesha took her then 13-month old son Amen’Ra Sba to John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida for a simple consultation. Syesha and her partner Tyrone were facing some difficulty getting Amen’Ra to consume adequate amounts of fluids as they were in the process of transitioning the infant to solid foods.  

The hospital requested to keep an eye on Amen’Ra over a period of days, but after the family allegedly denied a B12 shot for their son, Syesha was informed that the Manatee Child Protective Services would take custody of her son. Law enforcement claimed that the B-12 shot was a matter of life and death, when in reality it was not. The Pinellas County Police then forced Syesha and her partner Tyrone to leave the hospital while threatening them with trespassing charges. Amen’Ra was initially placed with a foster family without first interviewing qualified family members to take custody, but was later moved to a caretaker closer to the family. 

In August, Syesha gave birth to her daughter Ast. Just 10 days after she was born, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office removed her from her parents’ care during a surprise welfare check while they were driving home. The family was not warned and received zero explanation. Video of the traumatic event was circulated widely on social media, only after public outcry was Ast returned to her parents. While we are overjoyed that Ast is home, it’s been more than SIX months and Amen’Ra has still not been returned to his parents. 

That’s why we’re calling on Florida CPS Secretary Shevaun Harris to intervene. Secretary Harris has the power to put a stop to this family separation and ensure Amen’Ra is reunited NOW. 

Sign the petition. Tell Secretary Shevaun Harris: Bring Amen’Ra home.

Here is the Petition:

It’s been more than six months since Amen’Ra was removed from his loving family home based on the allegations of a pediatrician who has faced investigation for her negligence and malpractice.

This family has endured a trauma that can never be undone. Syesha Mercado and her partner Tyrone have been forced to go months without being able to show the love and care that every parent hopes to extend to a newborn or infant child. The Manatee Child Protective Services stole that from them and it’s time you put a stop to it. 

We’re looking at you to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of our communities. It starts with ensuring Amen’Ra is returned home to parents.