VB pays up in foster child death case

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - The City of Virginia Beach has reached a $450,000 settlement in the death of a child who died while in the care of his foster parents.

Braxton Taylor died two years ago by shaken baby syndrome. His foster mother, Kathleen Ganiere, was sentenced in November 2011 to 10 years in prison on voluntary manslaughter charges.

If approved, $170,000 of the settlement will be put into a trust fund for Braxton's siblings. His biological father will receive $75,000 and his biological mother will receive $50,000. The rest of the money will go toward legal fees in the case.

Braxton's death led to major changed in the city's child welfare programs, such as improved screening and training for prospective foster parents and weekly visits by child welfare workers. 

“We have learned from this tragedy,” Deputy City Manager Cindy Curtis said. “We have made permanent changes as a result. I am confident that these changes will better serve at-risk children and their families.”