tw: domestic homicide
Seon-mi " [name_f]Juno[/name_f] " [name_u]Kim[/name_u] (44) is [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] and her sister’s social worker. As a dedicated CPS worker, [name_f]Juno[/name_f] was paired with the Jackson’s due to her own background. [name_f]Juno[/name_f] grew up in [name_f]Chicago[/name_f] in a middle class apartment block with her parents and older brother, her family being very loving, but their next door neighbours were another story. Moving in when [name_f]Juno[/name_f] was eleven, she soon began to notice the wife of the couple would often be wearing very heavy makeup as she moved about the building, barely leaving her apartment anyways, and always seemed especially nervous if Juno’s dad tried to talk to her - as if it could be misconstrued as something inappropriate. Many residents suspected the woman’s husband was subjecting her to violence and abuse but in spite of Juno’s mother calling the police at one point when she saw their neighbour crying on the balcony, nothing was ever proven as she refused to press charges, and hospital reports were explained away as ‘little accidents’. The situation ended in tragedy, sadly, when the woman was killed by her husband after he became convinced she was having an affair, and he would be arrested while [name_f]Juno[/name_f] was at school - with her coming home to police everywhere and her parents had to sit her down to explain what happened in a manner appropriate for the twelve year old girl.
This incident shaped [name_f]Juno[/name_f] into the highly compassionate, understanding and patient social worker she is. She’s very empathetic to [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] and her sister’s trauma, careful to not overstep boundaries or seem as if she’s coming between the siblings, something she knows [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] in particular would resent. [name_f]Juno[/name_f] has managed to ensure the girls are placed in the same foster home: run by a couple who she’s personally friends with - a genderfluid person who uses they/he pronouns and their husband - whom specialises in caring for siblings. The Jenkinson’s are the only children living with them right now to ensure they get appropriate attention, care and time necessary, but she makes sure to visit frequently.
Juno’s remained close to her family throughout the years. She lives close by to her elderly parents and frequently visits, often taking her own children to spend time with their grandparents. [name_f]Juno[/name_f] and her husband have two children of their own: a teenage daughter and pre-teen son, whom she’s ensured remain close to their Korean heritage, while their dad makes sure they’re involved in his Chinese culture. [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] and her sister’s came round with their foster parents to celebrate the Lunar [name_u]New[/name_u] Year and have food with [name_f]Juno[/name_f], which was the first time they seemed more relaxed following their placement, especially the younger girls who have bonded quickly with their foster parents. Due to the circumstances of their brother’s death, [name_f]Juno[/name_f] knows the upcoming trial will be potentially devastating for [name_f]Naomi[/name_f], and is preparing to face the likely issues this event will bring.