Stand With Stephens
Help Overcome Government Corruption and Injustice.
Stand With Stephens
Help Overcome Government Corruption and Injustice.
Help Overcome Government Corruption and Injustice.
Help Overcome Government Corruption and Injustice.
Qadira’s story is a powerful example of how racial bias and institutional corruption can destroy lives. We’re calling on you to stand with us in demanding accountability and lasting reform. Oregon’s legal and healthcare systems must change—no other child should endure what Qadira has suffered. Take action to help in making the changes necessary to prevent injustices like this from occurring.
In 2007, Our daughter, Qadira, was severely abused by members of a powerful political family in Oregon. Despite multiple reports to mandatory reporters—doctors, school officials, lawyers, and police—no meaningful action was taken to protect her. This failure exposed deep flaws in Oregon’s child protection system. It also highlights a long-standing pattern of racial injustice that continues to harm Black families like ours.
Under Oregon law, mandatory reporters must immediately report suspected child abuse. In Qadira’s case, no report was filed despite her suffering from severe burns, violating this legal duty. Two hospitals, Providence St. Vincent and OHSU, failed to provide proper care or follow burn treatment protocols, discharging her within 20 minutes. As a fully insured Black child, she was denied the urgent medical support she needed—an egregious act of neglect and racial bias.
Doctors at Providence St. Vincent and OHSU failed to meet Oregon’s medical malpractice standards by neglecting to treat Qadira’s serious burn injuries or provide follow-up care. This level of negligence put her life at risk and violated basic medical responsibilities. Even more disturbing, hospital staff never contacted police or DHS, and no investigation was ever launched. These failures reflect both medical and systemic breakdowns in protecting a vulnerable child.
Under Karly’s Law, medical professionals must report suspicious injuries and ensure proper assessment—but this did not happen for Qadira. Instead, she was sent home with opioids unsafe for burn victims and told to manage her severe injuries without professional help. The trauma and neglect led to long-term health conditions, including Type 1 diabetes and chronic pain. Despite clear evidence of abuse and systemic failure, authorities have refused to act—continuing a pattern of racial injustice and institutional silence.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act bans racial discrimination by federally funded institutions—but Qadira, a Black child, was denied equal protection and care. Oregon’s systems repeatedly failed her while protecting white individuals involved, reflecting the state’s long history of systemic racism. Even our attorney, Scott Kocher, had undisclosed ties to the abuser’s family and chose a weak legal strategy that prevented criminal accountability. His actions—and the broader legal inaction—are part of a larger pattern where political influence and racial bias block justice for Black families.
Attorney Scott Kocher violated Oregon’s professional conduct rules by hiding a conflict of interest and failing to report Qadira’s abuse—yet the State Bar took no action. In response to this injustice, we began peaceful weekly protests in 2021 to raise awareness. After nearly 270 demonstrations without incident, we were suddenly charged with 19 counts of disorderly conduct and faced threats of prison and massive fines. We fought back in court, represented ourselves, and had the case dismissed—yet the state continues to threaten us for speaking out.
Qadira’s experience reveals how deeply racial injustice and institutional failure can harm the most vulnerable. Her story is not just personal—it’s a call for change. We need your voice to help hold Oregon’s systems accountable and to protect other children from the same fate. Please take a moment to review our federal lawsuit and add your name to the petition for justice.
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