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A grandmother’s fury: When the system to protect families fails and no one pays the price, that's all that’s left...
A grandmother’s fury
By BOB WHITE Friday, August 3, 2007 12:10 PM CDT http://www.newsenterpriseonline.com/...ews/news01.txt When the system to protect families fails and no one pays the price, that's all that’s left ELIZABETHTOWN � Grayson County grandmother Bonnie Phillips claims to be one victim of the misconduct and abuse of power Kentucky’s Office of the Inspector General found within Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services in recent years. Phillips became emotional while remembering the last time she saw her son’s children � a year-and-a-half ago � and expressed a fury at the state for allowing some social workers to do whatever they choose, right or wrong. Phillips said she was victimized when her four grandchildren were taken from her home without cause, warrant or permission in December 2004. But since a grand jury announced Tuesday that none of the wrongs committed by some social workers are punishable under existing state law, she doubts anyone will pay for the trauma she and her family suffered. The lack of indictment frustrates Phillips even more. “This is a bunch of bull for them to be able to do this kind of stuff and walk away scot-free,” Phillips said. “They acted callously � I have no peace of mind.” From May to July, a Hardin County grand jury reviewed evidence of official misconduct and abuse derived from the OIG’s year-long investigation of the Hardin County-based Lincoln Trail Department of Community-Based Services. During its investigation, the OIG found multiple instances of fast-tracked adoptions and wrongful custodial termination. The OIG recommended numerous changes be made in order to protect families and children from the agency. Despite the OIG’s confirmation that wrongs had been committed by social workers, it appears no criminal charges will be filed against any person for alleged wrongdoings dating back to 2003. In a signed report, the grand jury expressed a unified belief that DCBS personnel and the CHFS hierarchy had committed numerous wrongs that deeply impacted family and children in Hardin and surrounding counties, but the report also stated that indictment of Cabinet employees was not possible because Kentucky law provides “no significant criminal penalties” for their misdoings. A day no true bills were issued on the 18 cases reviewed, Hardin Commonwealth’s Attorney Chris Shaw said the grand jurors worked hard in an attempt to prosecute some social workers for wrongdoings, but in the end, were unable to provide his office with a single indictment to pursue. In its written report, the grand jury expressed a need for legislative change. The state legislature “should have clearly defined felony criminal penalties � rather than merely minor misdemeanor charges at best that are time-barred 12 months after their occurrence,” the report stated. The grand jury is not the only source of calls for legislative help. David Richart, executive director for the National Institute on Children, Youth and Families � the group that compiled a scathing report of Hardin County’s social services prompting the OIG’s investigation � worried that time may have been wasted in bringing the problems to light. “I put 19 months into this and I’m still working with clients and the Lincoln Trail and Salt River regions,” Richart said. “I’m disappointed. It appears there will only be personnel actions.” In the best cases, social worker misconduct resulted in parents and children losing time together, Richart said. In the worse cases, he said the misconduct and malfeasance led to some getting the “parental death penalty” � losing custody of their children. Money spent by people attempting to regain custody of their children was another issue Richart said needs to be addressed. Phillips said her daughter spent $5,000 on an attorney to ensure her children were returned. Richart said legislators need to examine whether official misconduct should be considered a felony instead of a misdemeanor offense and whether a statute of limitations should exist on such crimes. State Sen. Elizabeth Tori said the issue would be studied by the General Assembly’s judiciary committee. “It appears we need to investigate this a little further,” Tori said. She said it often takes extreme cases, regardless of the topic, to prompt legislative action. Some cases brought to light by the NICYF, investigated by the OIG and reviewed by the Hardin County grand jury were extreme because of the impact they had on families like the Phillips. The grandmother said she, her children and the grandchildren have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder because of what a social worker did one night in December. Richart finds it difficult to believe an agency charged with protecting the young, weak and innocent can employ such callousness. “Have social workers lost sight of the trauma that’s caused when a child is taken away from a parent?” Richart asked. “We need to make it clear that there are consequences other than an employee violating standard operating procedures.” While the OIG’s investigation spot-lighted the Hardin County-based region of DCBS and CHFS services, Richart said nearly identical problems have been reported to his agency from throughout the state since reports of Hardin County problems with the system were first made. “I’m not sure if the Cabinet is taking this seriously,” Richart said. In a written statement, the CHFS stated administrative actions were being taken as a result of the OIG’s findings. Cabinet spokeswoman Anya Weber would not say if any disciplinary action had been taken against any employee of CHFS since the problems of misconduct and malfeasance were brought to light. The CHFS statement said all administrative actions would be finalized sometime this month. Richart said the former director of the Hardin County DCBS office, who was in charge throughout the time period in which the OIG found trouble, since has been moved to another position in state government. “She gets the same salary and has since retired, so she’s now double-dipping,” Richart said. CHFS would not confirm any personnel changes, Richart mentioned. Bob White can be reached at 769-1200, Ext. 241, or . CURRENTLY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES VIOLATES MORE CIVIL RIGHTS ON A DAILY BASIS THEN ALL OTHER AGENCIES COMBINED INCLUDING THE NSA / CIA WIRETAPPING PROGRAM.... CPS Does not protect children... It is sickening how many children are subject to abuse, neglect and even killed at the hands of Child Protective Services. every parent should read this .pdf from connecticut dcf watch... http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com/8x11.pdf http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com Number of Cases per 100,000 children in the US These numbers come from The National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect in Washington. (NCCAN) Recent numbers have increased significantly for CPS *Perpetrators of Maltreatment* Physical Abuse CPS 160, Parents 59 Sexual Abuse CPS 112, Parents 13 Neglect CPS 410, Parents 241 Medical Neglect CPS 14 Parents 12 Fatalities CPS 6.4, Parents 1.5 CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, HAPPILY DESTROYING THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT FAMILIES YEARLY NATIONWIDE AND COMING TO YOU'RE HOME SOON... BE SURE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR CANDIDATES STANDS ON THE ISSUE OF REFORMING OR ABOLISHING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES ("MAKE YOUR CANDIDATES TAKE A STAND ON THIS ISSUE.") THEN REMEMBER TO VOTE ACCORDINGLY IF THEY ARE "FAMILY UNFRIENDLY" IN THE NEXT ELECTION... |
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