The New Jersey Department of Children and Families confirms to Townsquare Media that they had an open file on the Camden woman who apparently decapitated her two year-old son Zahree Thomas and put his head in the freezer before fatally stabbing herself.

Chevonne Thomas
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In an email, Director of Communications Kristine Brown writes that "DCF did have an open case and was working with all family members to support the mother and her child, who had recently been reunified consistent with the court’s order of April 3, 2012.

"As has been reported in the media, Zahree had previously been residing with relatives while his mother sought court-ordered treatment for substance abuse and mental health disorders."

Prosecutors say Chevonne Thomas had lost custody of Zahree Thomas in 2010 when she allegedly left the boy unattended in a car. At the time authorities say she admitted having smoked marijuana laced with PCP and blacking out in a park.

Brown wrote that DCF provided a number of  extensive services to the family including therapeutic reunification services, individual counseling and medication monitoring, substance abuse testing and treatment, parental capacity evaluation, post reunification services, job training and child care.

"Our staff visited with the family regularly, and was in communication with all service providers," explained  Brown.

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