Washington Child Deaths -DSHS Facing Penalties

“Despite state watchdogs, federal oversight and public promises to improve two years ago at the State Department of Social and Health Services, an exclusive KOMO 4 News Problem Solver Investigation reveals little appears to have changed and children are still dying from abuse.

Problem Solver Tracy Vedder reviewed more than 700 child death reports from 2002 through 2010 and determined at least 136 children died of abuse or neglect.

In 2012 alone the state’s records showed 12 children who died at the hands of caretakers.

“But we found another five deaths in that year were we believe abuse or neglect is the likely cause,” said Vedder. “17 children dead that year and in each case the state had an opportunity to intervene.”

A federal review of Washington’s system found several improvements over the past decade. Yet in child safety, the review found Washington still falls short and could face a minimum $1.5-million in penalties for not doing enough to protect children from abuse and neglect.”

Preview: Investigation finds more child deaths, DSHS facing possible penalties

[KOMO News 5/16/12 byTracy Vedder]

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