The foster mother of a murdered girl found in Manorville 10 years ago says she suspected and warned child services of parental abuse.

Lucille Ventrelli, speaking publicly about the murder for the first time, told News 12 Long Island she was angry when social services gave three-and-a-half-year-old Jennifer Shafiq back to her parents in 1990. Ventrelli had cared for Shafiq, who referred to her foster parent as Grandma, since she was just a month old. Shafiq?s parents are now charged with beating Jennifer to death and burying her body in a shallow grave near exit 70 on the Long Island Expressway less than a year later. Her body was not discovered until 1996.

Ventrelli says she has cared for more than 200 foster children over the last 20 years. She says she is sad and angered over Jennifer?s murder, but glad the little girl is at peace.

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