How Could You Hall of Shame-Social Worker Bari Joy Williams UPDATED

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Gardendale, Alabama,”a manager of a Birmingham substance abuse treatment center faces charges after authorities said she was driving down I-65 smoking a crack pipe with a young child in her car.”

“Bari Joy Williams, 44, of Gardendale, is charged with chemical endangerment of a child, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, said Hoover police Capt. Gregg Rector. Williams was arrested Nov. 20, and released from the county jail after posting $12,500 bond, records show.

Police and court records provide this account of what happened: About 2:30 p.m. last Thursday, a man called police to report a woman driving erratically on Interstate 65 southbound and told police he thought the driver was smoking crack cocaine while she was driving. The caller told police there was a child in the car.

Officers on patrol found the car and followed it to a parking lot …”

“The officer knocked on the window, and the woman inside tried to hide the pipe. Once she rolled down the window, the officer said the “smell of burnt crack cocaine was overwhelming.”

Williams got out of the car and began yelling that she was a social worker and the pipe belonged to her husband. A search of her car turned up a small amount of crack cocaine.

She later told police she was having family problems and relapsed. The 5-year-old girl in the car with her was taken into the custody of the Department of Human Resources.

Williams told police she was the substance abuse director for Olivia’s House, according to court records. Efforts to reach Williams and Olivia House officials for comment were unsuccessful. A woman who answered the phone at the center said Williams was the clinical manager there.

Court records show Williams is set to make a court appearance on Wednesday”

Social worker charged with smoking crack while driving on I-65 with child in car[Alabama.com 11/25/14 by Carol Robinson]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

 

Update: The Board of Social Work met in March 2015.The minutes state “Bari Joy Williams – Mandy Andrews made a motion to revoke Ms. Williams’ license. The motion was withdrawn. Mandy Andrews made a motion to revoke Ms. Williams’ license. Further, Ms. Williams may not be considered for reinstatement for five (5) years as per the Code. In addition to the requirements of the Code, to be considered for reinstatement, Ms. Williams must prove successful rehabilitation by a qualified substance abuse professional with no relapse. Valeri White seconded the motion. Voting in favor of the motion: Esophia Clayborn, Valeri White, LaShea Cobb-England, and Mandy Andrews. Opposed: none. Abstained: Michael Daley.”