(Radio Iowa) – A state panel has approved a legal settlement that will pay millions to two adopted siblings of an Iowa teenager who was abused and starved to death by a couple from Perry. Sabrina Ray was 16 years old when her body was found in a home in Perry six years ago. She weighed just 58 pounds. Her adoptive mother was convicted of kidnapping and sentenced to life in prison. A judge sentenced her adoptive father to 80 years in prison.

The Iowa Appeals Board has approved a five MILLION dollar payment to each of two children who were also adopted by Misty and Marc Ray. Three years ago, a state ombudsman’s report found the abuse Sabrina and other children suffered could have been prevented if state social workers had not dismissed 11 separate allegations against the Rays. The settlement calls for creation of a state task force to address deficiencies outlined in the report from the state ombudsman.

An attorney for the two adopted sisters of Sabrina Ray who are receiving payments from the state says his clients suffered unspeakable abuse and torture and he says the hope is that this settlement marks the beginning of a new era in Iowa’s foster care system. Misty and Marc Ray, who ran a child care center, also took in 23 foster care chidren over a 10 year period and adopted four children, including the teenager who starved to death.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds is joining Republicans who’ve expressed doubts that Donald Trump can win back the White House and has endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for president.  “I’ve thought long and hard about making this decision, about telling Iowans and telling you where I stand,” Reynolds said. “…I could not and cannot sit on the sidelines any longer.” The Iowa Caucuses are the kick-off event in the 2024 G-O-P presidential race and Reynolds says that means Iowans play a critical role in making what she calls the right choice in 2024.

“We need someone who won’t get distracted, but will stay disciplined, who puts this country first and not himself,” Reynolds said. Reynolds did not directly mention former President Donald Trump, who leads in public opinion polls here and elsewhere, but Reynolds described DeSantis as a candidate who’s looks to the future, not the past. “Someone who most importantly, can win and that person is Ron DeSantis,” Reynolds said, “and it is why I’m so proud to stand here tonight to give him my full support and endorsement for president of the United States of America.”

Governor Kim Reynolds and her husband Kevin joined Governor Ron DeSantis and his family on stage on Nov. 6, 2023.

During an interview with the Des Moines Register, Reynolds said she doesn’t think Trump can win next November. During last (Monday) night’s campaign rally with DeSantis, Reynolds made an indirect reference to Trump’s remark that it was a terrible mistake for DeSantis to sign a six week abortion ban. Reynolds, who has twice signed similar legislation, praised DeSantis for it.

“Someone that knows when life begins and knows it’s a beautiful thing to save a beating heart,” Reynolds said. Reynolds also said DeSantis was the only candidate running for president who stood up to Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was Trump’s chief medical advisor during the pandemic. DeSantis thanked Reynolds for the endorsement, telling the crowd that as governor, Reynolds had delivered really big results…when it’s not easy.

“Follow Governor Reynolds’ lead. Take up with our campaign. Caucus for us in January. Bring some friends, bring some family,” DeSantis said. “Iowa has the ability to jump start the comeback of this country.” Casey DeSantis, who spoke just before Reynolds, acknowledged the endorsement may not be politically convenient for Reynolds. “Courageous leaders ignore threats of retaliation and dismiss false promises,” Casey DeSantis said.

Trump has called Reynolds disloyal and Trump posted on his social media site that Reynolds’ endorsement of DeSantis is the end of her political career. A few Trump supporters stood across the street from the DeSantis rally last (Monday) night and a pickup carrying a Trump flag drove around the venue.