| Author |
 Topic  |
|
BBB
Active Poster
168 Posts |
 Posted - 12/01/2008 : 8:28:20 PM
|
quote:
You could receive some insults from those that really want to kick these parents while they're down.
They tied their baby to the bed and let her die? I think what ever the "poor parents" get they will have earned. Isn't DHS a state funded organization.
"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life." - Winston Churchill |
 |
|
|
cuzimrite
Frequent Poster
885 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2008 : 9:27:22 PM
|
| BBB---really feeling good about this eh...or did you run over someone's cat today? |
|
|
|
BBB
Active Poster
168 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2008 : 01:24:41 AM
|
Is this your attempt at humor? You want to cast blame on the system then by all means have at it, but, at the end of the day, the parents need to be in prison, because I am pretty sure nobody from the Department of Human Services tied that child to the bed. Fire whom ever failed to protect the child, if warranted, wouldn't bother me either.
"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life." - Winston Churchill |
|
|
|
runnachick
Member
58 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2008 : 06:46:03 AM
|
| As I recall, I believe the person incharge at that time or atleast handling the case has since retired (or she should be fired!). I cant believe you are feeling sorry for these parents....I know what they did and its not a matter of kicking parents while they're down...if they were having a hard time in life why'd they not chain the other 2? This is a matter of Calista was not Marsha's child and the other 2 were...the only issues Calista had were from the lifetime of abuse she suffered at the hands of her "poor parents". THe father can call his daughter a lier all he wants (to the press i might add)but she was simply trying to warn people what was happening to her...turns out she wasnt a lier after all? Feel sorry for the parents? hmmm.... |
|
|
|
Rumor Runner
Active Poster
USA
238 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2008 : 09:15:16 AM
|
I agree that the parents need to be brought up on charges. They were told repeatedly not to confine their child using chains and restraints for the EXACT reason of a fire or emergency.
What I want to know is; when officials at Centreville School filed claims that Calista was under-nourished, and showed signs of abuse why her parents yanked her out of school to be "homeschooled". Wouldn't this be a RED FLAG to those in charge of this case?
My prayers lie solely with Calista's siblings who witnessed this daily abuse and will have to live with these memories their entire lives AND with the firefighters and rescue personnel who are still grappeling with the horrific scene.
I suspect there is lasting damage on many fronts in this case.
The RUMOR RUNNER attempts to verify and chase down a variety of rumors in and around St. Joseph County. |
|
|
|
silentTRobserver
Frequent Poster
652 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2008 : 11:22:23 AM
|
There was a story in the paper a few weeks back about the report on the case from the Children's ombudsman which seemed to pretty much lay the blame at a worker and supervisor from DHS for the lack of follow up by DHS despite numerous complaints from members of the public about the treatment of this poor little girl.
Apparently both are now retired and beyond the realms of DHS to instigate any kind of chastisement. Although there are a lot of good people working for DHS, there doesn't seem to be any kind of mechanism to deal with their 'bad apples'.
If they'd failed so miserably in their job for any other employer they'd have been fired, not sent off with a big fat pension. |
|
|
|
tlsnoopy
Member
USA
93 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2008 : 11:33:45 AM
|
quote:
what about the social workers and members of the "system" that failed Calista?
Every abuse and/or neglect call made to CPS is investigated. If no evidence is found no action can be taken. Workers make recommendations, judges make the decisions. Their are parents who know how to work the system and train their kids what not to say. The system is flawed no doubt. Having seen that system from several angles myself I know that the Children's Protective Services Workers, Foster Care Workers, and Adoption Workers are good people who do everything they can on behalf of children. |
|
|
|
Just me II
Member
USA
63 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2008 : 7:32:12 PM
|
| While I do believe that justice is due the parents, as they were ultimately responsible for Calista's death, I also believe some changes should be made in the way complaints are handled. I understand how many complaints they get and how hard of a job it is (I wouldn't want to make such judgement calls), but I can't believe that this system is the BEST we can do for our children! Surely some changes were made as a result of this? |
|
|
|
Lockport
Frequent Poster
343 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2008 : 9:40:40 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Just me II
While I do believe that justice is due the parents, as they were ultimately responsible for Calista's death, I also believe some changes should be made in the way complaints are handled. I understand how many complaints they get and how hard of a job it is (I wouldn't want to make such judgement calls), but I can't believe that this system is the BEST we can do for our children! Surely some changes were made as a result of this?
Rick Shaffer, state rep and soon to be county commissioner, will be working on this topic from a county level and whatever influence he has with the state. There is a fine line between investigating allegations and intruding on citizen's rights. Before everybody gets all excited, I want to say that this situation is undoubtably one of the most horrific situations I have ever known. The thing is, protective services workers are not the Gestapo. They cannot swoop in and take kids without extremely solid evidence. Should this child have been removed from this home? Of course. Now it is obvious that things were very wrong, but the information known by the PS workers very probably did not add up. I am not convinced any worker failed to do their job or ignored the obvious. However, no one "connected the dots": dots made up of neighbors, school, church, even other family members. I don't think the big picture was actually visible to anyone. That is why it is so vital that all these people realize the importance of their knowledge and take action, report their suspicions, and if there does not seem to be improvement-REPORT AGAIN. Some people did make reports and they should be commended. Some people did not report anything, assuming that someone else had already said something, or they did not know IF they should report their suspicions. Please do not hesitate to call with any concerns about children or adults that may be at the mercy of someone else. Call the police and tell what you know. Do not assume someone else will call. YOU CALL. |
|
|
|
Just me II
Member
USA
63 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2008 : 08:39:34 AM
|
| But at this point, so many people look at what happened and think---look at all the people who DID call, and nothing was done---that's what it looks like to the untrained eye! I'm not trying to judge the system, just understand it. I do believe these workers try, like I said, I wouldn't want to make these calls, but if the system could be improved, shouldn't it? It is good to hear that Rick Shaffer is going to continue to work with this, I think if anyone can help facilitate a change it will be him. |
|
|
|
silentTRobserver
Frequent Poster
652 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2008 : 8:09:09 PM
|
Tissnoopy - that was the whole point of the Ombudsman's report that the worker totally ignored department policy when those complaints were received and the supervisor just let it go, more than ten times, or so I'm told.
SINCE the Ombudsman's report the department has implemented measures to ensure that such a situation cannot arise again - at least that's what their response to the Ombudsman said.
As I said before, there are a lot of good people working at DHS, but no mechanism to deal quickly with 'bad apples'. |
|
|
|
Lockport
Frequent Poster
343 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2008 : 9:51:25 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by silentTRobserver
Tissnoopy - that was the whole point of the Ombudsman's report that the worker totally ignored department policy when those complaints were received and the supervisor just let it go, more than ten times, or so I'm told.
SINCE the Ombudsman's report the department has implemented measures to ensure that such a situation cannot arise again - at least that's what their response to the Ombudsman said.
As I said before, there are a lot of good people working at DHS, but no mechanism to deal quickly with 'bad apples'.
I think one who really summed up the situation was the minister who spoke at the memorial service held last summer. She said: "Where were the parents, the neighbors, the police, the schoolteachers and administrators, the social agencies like CPS, and, yes, the church congregations?" This does not mean to blame, but to empower and encourage all these groups to be involved. Do not stand by with your arms folded and say "Someone needs to do something", or "It is their job". Because guess what, it looks like it is all of us who may find ourselves in the position of sharing responsibility.
One of many facets of the Ombudsman investigation was, I believe, the directive of an enhanced team effort when reviewing new and ongoing cases coming to Protective Services. That group discussion may clarify issues and create a new perspective for the caseworkers involved. That is why the Office of Children's Ombudsman was created--to protect and enhance services to children. It is an awful reality that much of their work is sparked by tragedies such as the one in Centreville. |
|
|
|
tlsnoopy
Member
USA
93 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2008 : 8:48:51 PM
|
| I think i'll have to find that ombudsman's report again because as i understood it complaints were "screened out" because they didn't meet the definitions of abuse or neglect so the ombudsman recommended new definitions. DHS is not short of procedures and definitions designed to protect children, they are short of people. Short of people because they are short of money. When people and politicians complain about money being spent on welfare programs everyone needs to realize that Children's Protective Services and Foster Care are included in those welfare programs. The state had to be sued by a children's rights organizations to force changes. |
|
|
|
Buck
Forum Admin
USA
5354 Posts |
|
|
silentTRobserver
Frequent Poster
652 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2008 : 09:55:10 AM
|
tisnoopy - you're partly right with regard to the screening out - however, the Ombudman's report maintained that IF the correct procedures had been adhered to these allegation would not have been screened out. It was the departure from mandated actions that led to the screening out.
You're also correct about there being a shortage of staff, however, when staff ignore their primary directive there is no excuse. That's like a mechanic saying to you, "I didn't fix your car according to the manufacturer's guidelines because I'm the only person here, so if it crashes it's not my responsibility." |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Fatal Centreville Fire
