| Topic: |
Politics > Politics-USA |
| User: |
"fx" |
| Date: |
17 May 2007 11:52:00 PM |
| Object: |
Child Protective Services mute on its role in deaths of 3 kids cases |
Denogean : Agency mute on its role in deaths of 3 kids cases of 3 dead kids
ANNE T. DENOGEAN
Tucson Citizen
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/52018.php
Three months ago today the remains of 4-year-old Ariana Payne were found
in a Tucson storage locker.
Since then, her father, Christopher Payne, has been charged with killing
Ariana and her 5-year-old brother, Tyler, whose body hasn't been found.
Since then, on March 21, 5-year-old Brandon Williams, died. His mother,
Diane Marsh, is charged with his slaying.
Three dead kids. Three months. And still no answer to the question that
troubles our community:
Could Child Protective Services - which visited their homes but left the
children with the parents now accused of killing them - have saved them?
The answer is obscured behind CPS' cast-iron curtain of "confidentiality."
The agency cites state and federal laws in denying the public all but
the most basic of information.
Fortunately, someone with the power to do something about it is also
tired of CPS's nonanswers and evasions.
State Rep. Jonathan Paton plans to hold hearings on the deaths of
Ariana, Tyler and Brandon this summer.
"I think they (CPS) use the privacy and the confidentiality as a way to
shield their agency from oversight and scrutiny," the Tucson Republican
said.
In addition to figuring out what went wrong in the Payne and Williams
cases, Paton wants to look at making information on individual cases
available to the public, without breaking the law or sacrificing the
welfare of the children.
"We want to make it more open," he said. "I'd like to see some kind of
mechanism where the reports are available but can be redacted, or the
names removed, to protect the children in those cases."
But guess what? To comply with CPS' confidentiality rules, the upcoming
hearings have to be held in closed session. Lawmakers who attend can't
reveal what they learn about the cases.
The confidentiality curtain, by the way, was not meant to be opaque.
CPS has to release upon request summary information on cases that
involve a death or near death caused by abuse or neglect. Such summaries
include information on the allegations, steps taken to investigate,
services provided to the family and the outcome of the investigation.
So, has that happened in the Payne and Williams cases? Nope.
The Pima County Attorney's Office has asked CPS not to release the
information, so as not to jeopardize an ongoing criminal prosecution,
said CPS spokeswoman Liz Barker Alvarez.
"I don't think anyone wants to be responsible for a child abuser going
free," she said.
Of course not.
But on behalf of those of us who ask questions for a living, I can tell
you this is another one of the catch-all rationales thrown around by
authorities of all sorts for denying access to public records.
They don't have to tell you how releasing the information would
jeopardize the case or release portions that don't affect the case.
They say no because they can.
CPS isn't unique in its duty to protect the privacy of its clients.
The state health department, responsible for ensuring the safety of
Arizonans in hospitals, nursing homes and day care centers, keeps its
records open to everybody. It protects people's privacy by not including
names in the public files.
Such openness creates accountability for both the nursing homes and the
department.
Too bad for CPS, but good for the public, that somebody broke the law
earlier this month and anonymously sent a shocking CPS report to media
outlets.
It told the story of a Tucson father accused of repeatedly abusing his
three children.
Though the abuse and neglect dated to 1995, CPS was instrumental in
keeping the family together.
The CPS case worker assigned to the family eventually became the
father's girlfriend. The 2004 report suggested the girlfriend, now a CPS
supervisor, may have helped cover up ongoing abuse.
Barker Alvarez said there are various ways in which CPS is held
accountable for its performance, including through public reports, state
and federal audits and legislative review.
Frankly, the public doesn't want a bunch of statistics on cases opened
and resolved. Nor does it want a legislative committee's assurances that
all is well.
It wants to be proved wrong in its growing doubt that CPS is doing all
it can to protect the state's children.
When I look at the smiling faces of Brandon, Ariana and Tyler in
photographs, I have to believe someone once cared about them.
Please, anyone, tell me that includes the people who work for CPS.
Anne T. Denogean can be reached at 573-4582 and
adenogean@tucsoncitizen.com. Address letters to P.O. Box 26767, Tucson,
AZ 85726-6767. Her column runs Tuesdays and Fridays.
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...
.
|
|
| User: "" |
|
| Title: Re: Child Protective Services mute on its role in deaths of 3 kids cases of 3 dead kids: "I think they (CPS) use the privacy and the confidentiality as a way to shield their agency from oversight and scrutiny," arizona state Rep. Jonathan Paton said. |
18 May 2007 03:21:16 AM |
|
|
On May 17, 9:52 pm, fx <f...@starband.net> wrote:
Denogean : Agency mute on its role in deaths of 3 kids cases of 3 dead kids
ANNE T. DENOGEAN
Tucson Citizen
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/52018.php
Three months ago today the remains of 4-year-old Ariana Payne were found
in a Tucson storage locker.
Since then, her father, Christopher Payne, has been charged with killing
Ariana and her 5-year-old brother, Tyler, whose body hasn't been found.
Since then, on March 21, 5-year-old Brandon Williams, died. His mother,
Diane Marsh, is charged with his slaying.
Three dead kids. Three months. And still no answer to the question that
troubles our community:
Could Child Protective Services - which visited their homes but left the
children with the parents now accused of killing them - have saved them?
The answer is obscured behind CPS' cast-iron curtain of "confidentiality."
The agency cites state and federal laws in denying the public all but
the most basic of information.
Fortunately, someone with the power to do something about it is also
tired of CPS's nonanswers and evasions.
State Rep. Jonathan Paton plans to hold hearings on the deaths of
Ariana, Tyler and Brandon this summer.
"I think they (CPS) use the privacy and the confidentiality as a way to
shield their agency from oversight and scrutiny," the Tucson Republican
said.
In addition to figuring out what went wrong in the Payne and Williams
cases, Paton wants to look at making information on individual cases
available to the public, without breaking the law or sacrificing the
welfare of the children.
"We want to make it more open," he said. "I'd like to see some kind of
mechanism where the reports are available but can be redacted, or the
names removed, to protect the children in those cases."
But guess what? To comply with CPS' confidentiality rules, the upcoming
hearings have to be held in closed session. Lawmakers who attend can't
reveal what they learn about the cases.
The confidentiality curtain, by the way, was not meant to be opaque.
CPS has to release upon request summary information on cases that
involve a death or near death caused by abuse or neglect. Such summaries
include information on the allegations, steps taken to investigate,
services provided to the family and the outcome of the investigation.
So, has that happened in the Payne and Williams cases? Nope.
The Pima County Attorney's Office has asked CPS not to release the
information, so as not to jeopardize an ongoing criminal prosecution,
said CPS spokeswoman Liz Barker Alvarez.
"I don't think anyone wants to be responsible for a child abuser going
free," she said.
Of course not.
But on behalf of those of us who ask questions for a living, I can tell
you this is another one of the catch-all rationales thrown around by
authorities of all sorts for denying access to public records.
They don't have to tell you how releasing the information would
jeopardize the case or release portions that don't affect the case.
They say no because they can.
CPS isn't unique in its duty to protect the privacy of its clients.
The state health department, responsible for ensuring the safety of
Arizonans in hospitals, nursing homes and day care centers, keeps its
records open to everybody. It protects people's privacy by not including
names in the public files.
Such openness creates accountability for both the nursing homes and the
department.
Too bad for CPS, but good for the public, that somebody broke the law
earlier this month and anonymously sent a shocking CPS report to media
outlets.
It told the story of a Tucson father accused of repeatedly abusing his
three children.
Though the abuse and neglect dated to 1995, CPS was instrumental in
keeping the family together.
The CPS case worker assigned to the family eventually became the
father's girlfriend. The 2004 report suggested the girlfriend, now a CPS
supervisor, may have helped cover up ongoing abuse.
Barker Alvarez said there are various ways in which CPS is held
accountable for its performance, including through public reports, state
and federal audits and legislative review.
Frankly, the public doesn't want a bunch of statistics on cases opened
and resolved. Nor does it want a legislative committee's assurances that
all is well.
It wants to be proved wrong in its growing doubt that CPS is doing all
it can to protect the state's children.
When I look at the smiling faces of Brandon, Ariana and Tyler in
photographs, I have to believe someone once cared about them.
Please, anyone, tell me that includes the people who work for CPS.
Anne T. Denogean can be reached at 573-4582 and
adenog...@tucsoncitizen.com. Address letters to P.O. Box 26767, Tucson,
AZ 85726-6767. Her column runs Tuesdays and Fridays.
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...
Not suprising. Take a look at this:
A story of an evil, cruel subhuman monster by the name of Mayme
Winters
Victim's site: http://www.rogerdeankiser.com/
Victim's Story from
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~orphanshome/messageboardroom...
MY MOST UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTER If I had to choose just one person who
has affected my life more than any other individual, it would have to
be Mayme Winters or "Mother Winters," as we called her at the
orphanage. I am not exactly sure about her age, but when I first met
her, I was about 5, so I guess she would have been in her mid to upper
?30s. She was the Superintendent of Northeast Children's Receiving
Home or as I call it, "The Children's Home Society Orphanage" located
in Jacksonville, Florida. I can honestly say that I have never met a
more evil, vile, person in all my life. Even when making that
statement, I still feel it is an understatement. This woman cared
about nothing on the face of God's green earth, except herself and her
position in the organization. She was mean, hard, depraved and very
vindictive. With complete honesty, I can also say that I never saw one
single instance where Mother Winters ever held, hugged or cared for a
child in a loving manner, other than for her own sexual needs and
desires. I cannot count the number of lives she destroyed over the 11
years I knew her. For even the slightest infraction, such as climbing
a tree or riding a bicycle without permission, a child was hauled
away. Some were taken to the juvenile hall and some sent to the reform
school, until their 18th birthday. This woman was absolutely the worse
of the worst. She earned that title being an individual, who made
children feel they owed her, simply because of the care they were
receiving. She used her position as a tool to get want she wanted,
that being respect and admiration by those who held power and
authority within the community. She did not care about the children
themselves or their welfare. She did not care about a child?s age, his
or her needs or what the consequences might be later on in the child?s
life. One statement is from a woman whom I believe committed suicide
last year, as the direct result of what Mrs. Winters did to her as a
young girl. Other statements given to me last year, also tell of
several house parents who molested children for more than three years,
while living in both the girls and boys dormitories. Let there be no
doubt, Mrs. Winters was very professional in the performance of her
duties. She was very neat and she was a very tidy individual. There
was a demeanor about her that she exhibited, which would totally
convince the authorities that she was 100 per cent correct in her
accusations against the children. This woman learned how to lie very
well by using just a little piece of the truth as the basis to
substantiate her own lies. The only thing that really mattered to her
was that the well-oiled machine kept operating at a constant and
steady pace. No one, not a teacher, minister, house parent, policeman
or child, could throw a wrench into the perfectly operating machine
she had created. Her measures of strict control and absolute power
worked very well for many years. However, when the children began to
mature, she allowed no room for growth. It never occurred to her that
a child?s thoughts, actions and decision-making abilities also matured
as he or she grew. This process is considered normal by parents who
have children. These changes scared her and she viewed them as major
trouble for her machine. The older children were as quickly as
possible, deposited in the criminal justice system. In one particular
instance, a young girl was abused for such a long period that now, as
an adult living in Jacksonville, she only leaves her apartment to
purchase groceries and see her doctor. Other than leaving for those
two reasons, she has had no social life, whatsoever. The children's
home had placed her in a foster home. She reported to The Children's
Home Society that the foster family was molesting her. She knew she
was only there as a gift to their son for his personal pleasure. On
one occasion, the family actually returned her to the Children's Home
Society for one two-week period. The foster family was going on
vacation and did not want the expense of taking her with them. When
she reported what was happening to her, the Children's Home staff told
her she had best "keep her damn mouth shut" and that she was "not
going to ruin their fine record of family placements." The girl was
made to return to that family, where she remained for another two
years. I can tell you this for a fact. I spent several years (two
terms) in the Florida School for Boys Reform School in Marianna, all
because of Mrs. Mayme Winters and her lies. I also spent several years
in the federal prison system during the late ?60s. I have never (and I
repeat) I have never met a jail or prison guard who could hold a
candle to ?Mrs. Winters.? "Mother Winters," as we were required to
address her, would make us take off our clothes and stand naked, while
she touched our private parts. Many times, we boys just snickered,
laughed and giggled. To her, it was just a playful game. Did we know
that it would leave permanent scars on our memories? What sort of sick
perverted creature would take pleasure in humiliating children? You
would think that when someone is molesting a child, he or she would at
least be smart enough to be kind. Her actions were designed to
humiliate, demean and shame her small victims. I was just a little boy
at that time and I did not really understand what molestation meant.
As far as I knew, I was just standing there following the directions
of an adult. Besides, what grownup would do something that they might
be sent to jail for? Therefore, whatever Mother Winters was doing to
us had to be a ?right thing.? It is amazing to me, how I saw
absolutely nothing wrong, when ordered by this woman to take off my
clothes. I would just stand there with my little pants down around my
ankles, while she did whatever it was she wanted to do. All along, I
only thought she could get into trouble for slapping me across the
face or on the buttocks. After awhile, most of the boys did not even
bother to talk about what was happening to them. I guess, because
being ?played with? became a normal thing to all of us. After a few
years, a secretive silence seemed to set in and no one openly talked
about what was happening. Yet, sex became so impersonal that many of
the boys had masturbation contests to see who could ejaculate the
fastest. Pleasuring ones self by any means to achieve orgasm became
something enjoyable. For sure, we will never forget what Mother
Winters did to us. Those days will be remembered forever and not in a
pleasant way either. What Mother Winter took from us can never be
replaced. Many children, both boys and girls, lost their childhood. We
lost our innocence forever. We have lost our ability to trust. We will
never know the meaning of giving love and worse yet, the ability to
receive love. Yes, Mother Winter, if I had to choose the one person in
my life who made the greatest impact on me, it would have to be you. I
will not go so far as to say that I hope you rot in hell. I will leave
that decision up to God himself. True storis from The Life and Times
of Orphan, Roger Dean Kiser http://www.geocities.com/trampolineone
.
|
|
|
|
|
Related Articles |
|
|
