Who Failed Jacqueline Charlotte Castillo?
Jacqueline Castillo committed suicide over a year ago on March 20, 2012. Jacqueline had lived on and off in foster care for years, and was currently residing in a transitional living facility run by a local Catholic entity.
Transitional Living, helps teens adjust to leaving the foster care system, instead of just throwing them in the street. The latter happens all too often, especially if the foster teen is a bit troublesome and difficult to place because of negative behaviors. In that case, they system often just gives up on them and these teens are quickly emancipated at 18.
However, this was not the case with Jacqueline, who was a young mother, raising her infant child. She was connected to various private non-profit, and public agencies, designed to assist her with young motherhood, and a productive life in the private sector.
To this end, Jacqueline had a job in retail. She continued to receive social services from various entities, all of which provided social workers, and presumably, some type of mental health therapy.
We use the term “Presumably,” because, when contacted, the religious based entity which controlled her living arrangements, refused to answer any questions, despite privacy no longer being an issue, because she is deceased.
Our main question has always been this:
Before her death, did a social worker or therapist, threaten Jacqueline, that her baby was going to be placed into foster care, or the “system,” if she didn’t behave in a way they (the therapist, the social workers, the transitional house, the religious entity), found acceptable?
Did Jacqueline believe she was going to lose her baby, after a conversation with someone associated with one of the above, like a social worker or therapist?
Who Failed Jacqueline Charlotte Castillo?
Joshua Allen Online 
i knew Jackie , she was my roommate in placement. she was always a joker … She was brave always stood up for herself!! she was a strong individual! she would never killed herself! something must of happen she must of been threatened!!This must be investigated!!
kristie mejia
December 12, 2013 at 9:58 pm
What if no one failed my sister, what if was postpartum. Your facts are wrong.
Liszette Castillo
March 17, 2014 at 4:59 pm
With deep respect and sincerity, I am so sorry for your loss.
All we ever wanted to learn was if Jacqueline’s ‘case,’ (including mental health services, transitional living services, and social work management), were in fact, managed properly? Did Jacqueline get the services she was entitled to? Did the social workers and therapists do everything they were supposed to do?
We asked the social agencies about this case, we got nothing. DCFS seems to have provided as little information as possible.
Probably more than anyone, you know what happened to Jacqueline. We only asked questions from people and entities, who would also know, and we got nothing.
If you would ever like to write about your sister here, who was she as a person, Jacqueline’s experiences with foster care, social workers, or her life in general, we will put it up.
It would be an honor to get to know through you, who Jackie was as a person. Bless you. And again, I am so sorry for your loss.
Joshua Allen
joshuaallenonline
March 17, 2014 at 9:07 pm
Actually Jackie was no longer residing in the facility. She had gotten her own apartment with her child. Yes you’ve certainly got your facts wrong.
footballchik5
March 20, 2014 at 3:53 am
Hi, yes, the apartment was through a transitional living program. There were at least 3 different groups still involved with monitoring. Your feeling are the most important thing here. Do you want the post removed?
Bless you, and again, I am so very sorry for your loss. We always hoped that by asking the questions, other ‘workers’ would learn from this, try harder, and take greater care.
joshuaallenonline@gmail.com
joshuaallenonline
March 20, 2014 at 5:57 pm
My sister was a loving soul.. she went above and beyond for just about anyone. Jackie always made sure the people she loved were good, always putting others before herself… who knew a person who loved as hard as she did couldn’t find enough of it to love herself the same.. not a day goes by that I don’t miss her goofy laugh or infectious smile. I always find myself rereading this article.. hoping one day I find the answer on why..
Liszette castillo
January 31, 2017 at 4:55 pm