Abused girl appears to have strong claim against state
SEAN ROBINSON; The News Tribune
Published: June 24th, 2007 01:00 AM
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/93923.html
The former foster child of Chornice Lewis hasn’t filed a damage claim
against the state of Washington, but two local lawyers familiar with the
legal terrain say the teen would have a strong case if she chose to
pursue it.
In a prospective legal battle, the girl’s representatives could cite
several elements:
• Records from the state Department of Social and Health Services
showing a 10-year history of complaints against Lewis, including charges
of neglect and abuse reported by neighbors, educators and police. The
state repeatedly dismissed the complaints.
• Charges of criminal assault against Lewis, filed in King County
Superior Court. (Lewis' trial is pending.)
• Medical reports of the girl’s injuries, including puncture wounds in
both eyes, allegedly inflicted by Lewis with hypodermic needles.
• An internal review of the Lewis case, completed in February 2007,
which acknowledges the state’s failure to protect the girl, and cites “a
system breakdown involving all stakeholders” as the reason.
“She’s got a dynamite claim,” said Jack Connelly, a Tacoma attorney who
has wrestled the state foster care system in the past, and prevailed in
court. “She can bring the claim and she should.”
The girl, now 16, lived with Lewis from 1995 to January 2006, when state
social workers and Federal Way police rescued her. She later told police
Lewis abused her for years, and coached her to deny mistreatment when
questioned.
The state’s internal review cites specific failures by state and King
County caregivers appointed to safeguard the girl’s welfare. It would
provide the theoretical backbone of a lawsuit, said Steve Bulzomi, a
Tacoma attorney whose past tussles with the state include settlement of
a case stemming from treatment of patients at the Washington School for
the Deaf.
“God, what a catastrophe,” Bulzomi said, referring to the girl’s
treatment. “I hope she gets a lawyer and I hope she sticks ’em for a few
million bucks.”
According to DSHS spokeswoman Kathy Spears, the girl has not filed a
damage claim against the state – the mandatory prelude to a lawsuit. The
sequence is not automatic. The state could accept the claim and
negotiate a settlement, or reject the claim, opening the door to court
action.
The girl’s intentions are unknown. She lives with a new foster parent,
and the state, citing privacy restrictions, will not disclose her
location. She is still a minor, and could not file a claim on her own –
a court-appointed guardian ad litem would have to take that step on her
behalf. After the girl turns 18, she could decide on her own.
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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