You don't get a do-over like they do, ladies:
"DCF failed to protect Lynn baby, report says; Later beaten to death, he and twin sent home despite drug evidence" by Peter Schworm | Globe staff May 02, 2014
The state’s embattled child welfare agency failed a Lynn infant by leaving him in a chaotic home where he was fatally beaten last year, allegedly by his mother’s drug-addled boyfriend, according to a scathing report released Friday by the Massachusetts child advocate office.
After months of review, the independent office concluded that the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families should have taken into protective custody 3-month-old Chase Gideika and his twin brother, who were born with drugs in their systems.
“Chase and his twin were identified as substance-exposed at birth and were sent home from the hospital despite a clear risk of maltreatment,” the review concluded. “The personnel in this area office erred in their judgment by sending these infants home.”
The report comes just days after Olga Roche, the DCF commissioner, resigned amid mounting criticism of her job performance. During her tenure, at least five infants or preschoolers whose families were involved with DCF died.
And she was not even there that long.
See: Roche's Resignation
NEXT DAY UPDATE:
Jeremiah Oliver remembered at Fitchburg funeral
Family celebrates life of boy found dead
I don't know. that sentence just doesn't sound right or sit well with me, and it turned me off to the whole article. Sorry.
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In a statement, DCF said it had already intensified its screening of young children in troubled homes.
“The tragic outcome in this case is deeply saddening, and we are using the lessons learned to implement changes to strengthen our child welfare safety net,’’ the agency said. “The department is aggressively adding new staff to reduce caseloads and strengthening our training and reporting around substance-exposed newborns as part of these comprehensive efforts.”
Yeah, you guys are doing a great job (that was a recording).
The agency said it had hired 150 social workers and staff in the past four months to ease caseloads, which have been criticized as excessive.
The agency has stepped up scrutiny of cases involving young children whose parents have a history of substance abuse, mental health issues, or domestic violence. Roche also directed that all reports of abuse and neglect involving a drug-exposed newborn be investigated and that clinical and legal specialists should meet to decide whether to assume custody. If DCF decides not to take custody, services should be in place before the baby comes home from the hospital, the report said.
Jetta Bernier — executive director of Massachusetts Citizens for Children, an advocacy group — said the cases of Chase Gideika and the other two children illustrate the heightened risk for children who live with unrelated male caregivers. Research has shown that children in such homes are far more likely to suffer physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and are 50 times as likely to die from inflicted injuries, she said.
“We see the same thing happening,” she said. “The department can be helping these mothers understand what the risks are.”
You get the message, girls? Stay single!
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"Haverhill man allegedly impregnated 14-year-old girl" by Melissa Hanson | Globe Correspondent October 10, 2013
A music teacher is being held on $50,000 cash bail on child rape charges after he allegedly impregnated a 14-year-old student, prosecutors said.
Joshua Garsteck, 32, of Haverhill, pleaded not guilty Monday in Haverhill District Court. If he posts bail, he must be confined to his home, have no contact with the girl or any minors, and not use the Internet. Garsteck also must waive his privacy rights and allow his cellphone and computer to be searched, said Carrie Kimball Monahan, a spokeswoman for the Essex district attorney’s office.
Garsteck is due back in court Nov. 5 for a probable cause hearing, Kimball Monahan said.
During the arraignment, a prosecutor read numerous text messages between Garsteck and the student, which revealed the nature of their relationship, Kimball Monahan said.
If convicted, Garsteck would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life in prison, Kimball Monahan said.
Police began investigating in May when the state Department of Children and Families was notified that the teenager was several months pregnant, Kimball Monahan said.
The investigation found that Garsteck was having a sexual relationship with the student, Kimball Monahan said.
She confirmed that Garsteck taught at the DeAngelis Studio of Music in Haverhill.
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