CPS e-mails raise new questions in handling of 2 young siblings
By Josh Brodesky
arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.20.2007
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/192631.php
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E-mails sent between Child Protective Services employees raise new
questions about whether the agency followed its own guidelines by
keeping Ariana and Tyler Payne with their father, despite a court order
giving custody to their mother.
The e-mails, which were among roughly 1,500 pages of records released to
the Arizona Daily Star on Thursday, also show the Arizona Center for
Disability Law is investigating the death earlier this year of
5-year-old Brandon Williams.
They indicate the state's Risk Management Office and Attorney General
are preparing for an anticipated claim and/or lawsuit in the deaths of
two of the children, although the names are among hundreds of items that
have been blacked out in the documents.
CPS has been in the media spotlight since this spring following the
deaths of the two Tucson children, and the disappearance of another,
with whom the agency had some type of involvement.
One of the key questions in the Payne case is what steps CPS must take
to supersede a court order for custody, and place a child with the
noncustodial parent.
"If the noncustodial parent wants the child placed with them, a home
study is done, a CPS and criminal background is done on all adults in
the home," says an e-mail exchange between officials who were crafting
an answer to a reporter's question.
But in the Payne case there has been little evidence those steps were taken.
CPS officials say the agency didn't place 4-year-old Ariana and
5-year-old Tyler Payne with their father, who is charged with killing
them. Jamie Hallam, their mother, sent them for a visit.
However, when Hallam called police for help retrieving her children when
the father didn't return them, a CPS worker directed police to leave
them with their father and to not enforce the court order. Ariana's body
was found Feb. 18. Tyler has not been found.
A CPS case summary says Payne was not the subject of any abuse
allegations, but there's no indication they checked his background,
which has a lengthy arrest record.
Brandon Williams, who was autistic, died in March as a result of a skull
fracture, but he also had a large amount of over-the-counter medication
in his system.
His mother Diane Marsh, and a roommate, Flower Tompson, have been
charged with his murder.
The Arizona Center for Disability Law opened an investigation into
Brandon's death in April following local news stories.
That investigation largely focuses on what services were offered or
applied for with the state's Division of Developmental Disabilities. It
is also looking at correspondence between CPS and developmental
disabilities workers regarding Brandon's death, as well as reports and
action plans.
Many of the documents show a preoccupation with the media, or were
simply forwarding exchanges of news articles, commenting on them or
discussing how to handle questions.
They were obtained as part of the Star's lawsuit for access to
complete CPS case files.
CURRENTLY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES VIOLATES MORE CIVIL RIGHTS ON A
DAILY BASIS THEN ALL OTHER AGENCIES COMBINED INCLUDING THE NATIONAL
SECURITY AGENCY/CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY 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
Imagine that, 6.4 children die at the hands of the very agencies that
are supposed to protect them and only 1.5 at the hands of parents per
100,000 children. CPS perpetrates more abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse
and kills more children then parents in the United States. If the
citizens of this country hold CPS to the same standards that they hold
parents too. No judge should ever put another child in the hands of ANY
government agency because CPS nationwide is guilty of more harm and
death than any human being combined. CPS nationwide is guilty of more
human rights violations and deaths of children then the homes from which
they were removed. When are the judges going to wake up and see that
they are sending children to their death and a life of abuse when
children are removed from safe homes based on the mere opinion of a
bunch of social workers.
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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