Boy’s Return Doesn’t Mean End of Ordeal

Although 4-year-old Taj Yaser Jayyusi has been found and his suspected abductors put in jail, his foster mother’s rejoicing was tempered Saturday by worries that he may not be coming home.

Susan White, a special eduction teacher, said she usually spends most Saturdays walking with Taj around the community lake, maybe stopping for doughnuts, and then taking him to the park to play.

But the boy, allegedly abducted by his biological parents, remained this Saturday in Orangewood Children’s Home, the county’s shelter for neglected and abused children.

White said that county social workers told her they must determine whether Taj will be secure in her home now that his parents know her address. “They said they want to consider a confidential placement” in another foster home, she said.

“I would move if I had to if I could keep Taj,” said White, who is 43 and single. She said she was told Orange County social services officials will meet Tuesday to determine if she can continue to be his foster mother.

Orangewood officials were unavailable Saturday for comment.

Gene Howard, director of the county’s children’s services, also could not be reached.

White said she was taking a shower on the morning of Feb. 12 when Taj mysteriously disappeared from the play area in her garage.

The boy was missing for six days before he was found Friday night. Orange County sheriff’s deputies said they found him in a car parked in Cerritos, where his father, Yaser Majed Jayyusi, 55, had gone to pick up his paycheck.

The father and mother, Deborah Ann Jayyusi, 35, who was also found in the car, were taken to Orange County Jail, where they are being held on suspicion of child abduction. They were being held in lieu of $250,000 bail each.

White said she had been allowed only 15 minutes with Taj on Friday night at Orangewood after his parents were arrested. He was in pajamas and looking weary from his ordeal. She said he complained that she had not brought the family dogs along and asked if he could go home the next day.

“I said they have to check you out and make decisions,” White said.

White said she went to Orangewood on Saturday morning, but was not allowed to see him.

Taj and his younger sister were removed from their parents two years ago and placed in protective custody. Jennifer Ghormley, a special advocate appointed by the court to watch over the children, said they were physically abused by their parents.

As as special education teacher, White said she has skills that help her with Taj, who she said is hyperactive and has been rejected by other foster homes because of his behavior. “We’re tight. As he says, ‘We are a team,’ ” she said of their relationship.

White said she is trying to adopt Taj.

Ghormley praised the influence that White has had on the boy, who she said has gained considerable self-esteem in the teacher’s care. “She loves him dearly,” Ghormley said. “There is no better match they could come up with.”

White said it was sad for her not be be able to comfort Taj. “It is so maddening,” she said. “You know he needs a good bath and a story read to him. The sooner he gets into a routine, the sooner he will heal from this horrendous week. . . .”

White said she is very grateful to the Sheriff’s Department for finding Taj and to her neighbors, who have pitched in to help with housework and meals. “The outpouring of help has been phenomenal,” she said.

She said residents in Rancho Santa Margarita, who had planned a candlelight vigil today for Taj, will instead hold a celebration that White said she will attend to thank everyone.

“I feel real good I know where he is and that he is safe,” White said.