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Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Governor Morrisey announces reforms to improve the child welfare system
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — Governor Patrick Morrisey announced reforms aimed to improve the welfare system in West Virginia. According to a press release, the changes follow listening sessions held throughout the state with stakeholders and a review of child deaths and near deaths within the system. In previous years, the state stonewalled about the status of children in its care–and that changes now. We are rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. West Virginians deserve a child welfare system that is transparent, accountable, and always puts the safety of children first. Governor Patrick Morrisey For far too long, we've asked families and frontline professionals to navigate a system that has not kept pace with the complexities our families and children face today. That must change. We are listening–intentionally–and using that feedback to shape a more responsive, accountable, and transparent system built on trust. Secretary Mayer Carnegie Hall announces Ivy Terrace Outdoor Concert Series lineup The reforms, as stated within the release, include: Complete compliance with the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) and federal guidelines requiring public disclosure of key information in child abuse or neglect cases resulting in deaths or near deaths. Overhauling the Child Welfare Dashboard to make it easier to use and interpret data. Requiring supervisors to hold monthly reviews regarding child welfare cases and work with state teams to find chances for improvement and initiating a department-wide 'Leadership Education and Development' (LEAD) program to better train supervisors. Crafting a Critical Incident Review Team to hold a deeper dive into every critical incident. Implementing a Comprehensive Practice Model to give a foundational framework that can be implemented throughout West Virginia. Affording caseworkers the chance to gather more information on cases rather than only relying on the referral. For more information regarding the welfare initiatives and Governor Morrisey, visit their website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Morrisey announces foster care reforms, promises transparency as struggling system moves forward
Gov. Patrick Morrisey on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, announced a series of reforms that he said will end 'years of bureaucratic stonewalling' from within the state's troubled foster care agency and begin a 'new era of transparency.' (West Virginia Office of Gov. Patrick Morrisey video screenshot) Following years of issues within the state's foster care system, Gov. Patrick Morrisey on Wednesday announced a series of reforms that he said will end 'years of bureaucratic stonewalling' from within the agency and begin a 'new era of transparency.' The proposed changes are partially the result of a statewide listening tour, where Morrisey and other officials — including the new Department of Human Services Secretary Alex Mayer — heard from residents on challenges they've faced from the state agency in charge of child welfare. At those listening sessions, West Virginians shared stories lamenting lack of communication from the state's Child protective Services workers and other issues that have occurred due to the system being inconsistent, short on staff and offering limited support for many traumatized children. The reforms announced by Morrisey on Wednesday include: Having DoHS fully comply with the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and follow federal guidelines requiring the public disclosure of key information in child abuse or neglect cases resulting in fatalities or near fatalities Overhauling the state's Child Welfare Dashboard to make it easier to interpret and more user friendly Requiring supervisors to conduct monthly reviews with their child welfare cases and work with the governor's office to identify opportunities for improvement. The state will also launch a department-wide 'Leadership Education and Development' (LEAD) initiative to train DoHS supervisors. Creating a Critical Incident Review Team that will conduct a 'deeper dive' into any critical incident that occurs Introducing a Comprehensive Practice Model to provide a framework that can be standardized across the state Allowing caseworkers to gather more comprehensive information on cases rather than relying solely on the referral process There are currently more than 6,100 children in West Virginia's foster care system. That number has skyrocketed during the state's drug crisis. The state's high poverty rate has contributed to the number, as well. The new reforms as well as the recent statewide listening sessions were initiated after several high-profile incidents of child abuse and mistreatment occured in West Virginia in recent years. Reporters investigating the incidents were often stonewalled by the state government, unable to get information about the events or the circumstances that led up to them. 'In previous years, the state stonewalled about the status of children in its care — and that changes now,' Morrisey said on Wednesday. 'We are rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. West Virginians deserve a child welfare system that is transparent, accountable and always puts the safety of children first.' Morrisey appointed Mayer to oversee DoHS in January. The 37-year-old came to the Mountain State from South Dakota, where he worked for the state government on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the child welfare system. Before getting involved in state government, Mayer was adopted. He spent time in the military before working at a residential facility serving people with severe mental illnesses. In an interview with West Virginia Watch earlier this month, Mayer said he was focusing his first few months on learning where and how the state could increase specialized care for children who need additional services, increase consistency in the state agency's processes and recruiting foster families to help care for children already in the system. This legislative session, lawmakers — who have struggled in recent years to get a handle on DoHS spending — allocated more than $300 million to foster care. The 2026 budget bill mandated that the agency spend some money on designated line items to prevent it from shifting money around to pay bills. But Morrisey vetoed that idea, saying it was too restrictive for DoHS. Morrisey — who made reigning in state spending a key tenet of his first legislative session as governor — also vetoed line item funding for programs that support foster children as well as babies born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. Mayer said he doesn't believe that more funding will solve the issues clearly present in West Virginia's child welfare system. Instead, he said, the state will likely rely on partnerships with the faith-based community, businesses and others that provide services to help children and families. On Wednesday, Mayer said he realized that change is long overdue for both the state's children and the adults who attempt to care for them. 'For far too long, we've asked families and frontline professionals to navigate a system that has not kept pace with the complexities our families and children face today. That must change,' Mayer said. 'We are listening — intentionally — and using that feedback to shape a more responsive, accountable and transparent system built on trust.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
State had ‘unconfirmed' reports of child abuse in Sarai Perez-Rivera's home
COURTESY TIFFANY TEXEIRA Sarai Perez-Rivera COURTESY TIFFANY TEXEIRA Sarai Perez-Rivera The death of 3-year-old Sarai Perez-Rivera was listed among the five Hawaii children who died in fiscal year 2024 due to maltreatment, according to a federally mandated state report. The report says that the family of the 3-year-old girl was engaged in services through a Child Welfare Services diversion program. The 'family had two prior unconfirmed reports of physical abuse /neglect and medical neglect of a different child, ' the report says. The Hawaii Department of Human Services today released the annual Child Fatality Report, mandated by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. The report covers the 2024 fiscal year which was from July 1, 2023, through June 30. Physical abuse and neglect of Perez-Rivera have been confirmed, authorities said. On June 13, she was found unresponsive at the family's Kapolei home and taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. 'Child had suspicious injuries that were not consistent with explanations provided by family members, ' the report says. Perez-Rivera's mother, Janae Perez, and her mother's girlfriend, Ashleigh Utley, were indicted this week on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the girl's starvation death, along with other charges related to Sarai and her siblings. They were also indicted Tuesday on charges of first-degree attempted assault, kidnapping of Perez's three eldest children, including Sarai, first-degree hindering prosecution, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, two counts of persistent nonsupport, and two counts of abuse of family or household members. RELATED STORY : In a written statement, DHS officials said, 'Ensuring the safety and well-being of children is at the heart of everything we do. We rely on the community to play a vital role in keeping children safe. If you see or hear something concerning—or even if you just have a feeling that something isn't right—please don't hesitate to report it. 'Be as descriptive as possible. Trust your instincts and call the CWS (Child Welfare Services ) hotline or 911 if you believe a child may be at risk of child abuse or neglect. Your call could be the first step in getting a child the help they need. In the statement, DHS officials said the department 'continues to grieve with the community over the loss of this child.' They said they are unable to comment further on the Perez case due to litigation. Perez-Rivera's grandmother, Leah Schnabel, filed a civil lawsuit against DHS on Tuesday.———The CWS hotline is available 24 /7 at 808-832-5300 (Oahu ) or 888-380-3088 (Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kauai ). 13 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? .
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
Grandmother sues the state in keiki's death
COURTESY TIFFANY TEXEIRA Sarai Perez-Rivera died in 2024 of starvation, according to a child death report released Friday. It came on the heels of a lawsuit filed Tuesday by Perez-Rivera's grandmother on behalf of her three surviving grandchildren. 1 /2 COURTESY TIFFANY TEXEIRA Sarai Perez-Rivera died in 2024 of starvation, according to a child death report released Friday. It came on the heels of a lawsuit filed Tuesday by Perez-Rivera's grandmother on behalf of her three surviving grandchildren. COURTESY HPD Janae Perez and Ashleigh Utley 2 /2 COURTESY HPD Janae Perez and Ashleigh Utley COURTESY TIFFANY TEXEIRA Sarai Perez-Rivera died in 2024 of starvation, according to a child death report released Friday. It came on the heels of a lawsuit filed Tuesday by Perez-Rivera's grandmother on behalf of her three surviving grandchildren. COURTESY HPD Janae Perez and Ashleigh Utley The state's Child Welfare Serv ices had received reports of maltreatment within the family of a 3-year-old girl who died in 2024 of starvation, according to a federally mandated report on child deaths released Friday. The information matches some of the details surrounding the June 13 death of Sarai Perez-Rivera, whose mother and her mother's girlfriend were indicted this week on murder, kidnapping and other charges. The family 'had two prior unconfirmed reports of physical abuse /neglect and medical neglect of a different child, ' the report says. The state Department of Human Services on Friday released its annual Child Fatality Report, mandated by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, or CAPTA, which lists five Hawaii child deaths in fiscal year 2024. The report provides scant information concerning the five child deaths, listing only each victim's age and gender. DHS generally does not name children involved in such cases due to privacy concerns. The report also says the family of the 3-year-old girl was engaged in serv ices through a CWS 'diversion program.' DHS did not immediately respond to a request Friday afternoon to describe the diversion program. The report comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed Tuesday by Perez-Rivera's grandmother on behalf of her three surviving grandchildren against DHS for allegedly failing 'to act upon or insufficiently acting upon or responding to information obtained.' Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. The release of the report also coincided with Friday's announcement by Honolulu police and the city prosecutor's office of the, 39, for manslaughter in the Dec. 22, 2023, death of her 11-year-old adoptive daughter, who also appears to be mentioned in the report. The prosecutor's office said the timing of the criminal charges was coincidental. The death of a 10-year-old girl also mentioned in the report appears to match the case of Geanna Bradley, who died Jan. 10, 2024, after prolonged abuse, neglect and starvation. The deaths listed in the CAPTA report include an 11-month-old girl who drowned due to lack of supervision. Her family was the subject of seven prior reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. One report of physical neglect and threat of abuse and neglect of older children was confirmed, the report says. The fifth death listed in the report involved a 3-year-old boy who was found unresponsive at home and taken to a hospital with multiple internal injuries not consistent with the family's explanation. In that case there were no prior abuse reports. Perez-Rivera's grandmother, Leah Schnabel, says she tried to protect her four grandchildren from the abuse inflicted upon them. Schnabel called the CWS reporting line to inform the state agency that the children 'had been removed from school, appeared dirty and uncared for, and appeared to be skinny and losing weight, ' according to the civil complaint filed on behalf of her three remaining grandchildren. Schnabel persisted when no action was taken to remove the children from the home of her daughter, Janae Perez, 25, and her daughter's partner of four years, Ashleigh Utley, 34. On March 5, 2024, the children's grandmother telephoned and spoke to a representative of Parents and Children Together, which is a contractor for the state, sharing the same concerns about the children's physical welfare. She called PACT again May 23 and 26, the lawsuit says. Despite Schnabel's warnings, Perez-Rivera died June 13, a month before her fourth birthday, from dehydration and starvation. Her skin was ashen, and her legs, hips, arms, face, back and head were covered in bruises. The child died while in the custody of Perez, the children's natural mother, and Utley at their home in Kapolei, the complaint says. 'Only then did (the state ) finally remove the subject minors from the Perez home, ' the lawsuit claims, adding that the children were taken to the hospital showing signs of neglect and dehydration and looking thin and tired. In February, eight months after she died, the medical examiner ruled the 3-year-old girl's death a homicide. Police arrested Perez and Utley on Feb. 27. The pair were indicted Tuesday on charges of second-degree murder in the death of Perez-Rivera, first-degree attempted assault of the younger of her two older brothers, kidnapping of the three eldest children including Perez-Rivera, first-degree hindering prosecution, conspiracy to commit kidnapping and—with regard to the two older brothers—two counts of persistent nonsupport and two counts of abuse of family or household members. 'We wish reporting to CWS and PACT was enough to save Sarai and her siblings, ' Tiffany Texeira, the girl's aunt, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 'Why do these children keep dying ? Why is there not better laws ? Why is it so hard to get CWS to follow through ? They say, 'See something. Say something.' We did and still the same results.' On Tuesday, Schnabel, as 'next friend ' for her three surviving grandchildren—who on the day of their sister's death were ages 6, 5 and 2—filed a lawsuit against DHS, alleging negligence and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress, calling the agency's conduct outrageous and extreme. The lawsuit alleges the state knew or should have known about the physical condition of the children and evident abuse by the mother and her partner, who were unfit to care for children, and that the children were not safe in their care. It also alleges the children have suffered and continue to suffer physical pain, anxiety, psychological harm, embarrassment and emotional distress, and will continue to incur medical and psychological treatment, therapy and counseling, and loss of future income and /or earning capacity. The criminal complaint against Perez and Utley alleges the couple had enough food to feed many people yet strictly monitored the children's food and water intake and prevented them from using the bathroom. It says Schnabel told police that when she last saw the children in February 2024, they were skinny, hungry, extremely quiet and stayed close to Perez the entire time. The three older children appeared famished at a 2023 Christmas party, and Perez-Rivera looked tired. In October 2023, Schnabel claims, Perez was rude and mean to the older children, and monitored their food and water intake. The children drank water heavily, she recalled. Plaintiff's attorney Mark Gallagher said others may be named as defendants in the case. He said it will be necessary to get from DHS 'who was involved in the case, and what steps they took in response to the information they were provided. So all options are open at this point.' He said Perez and Utley were not named as defendants in the civil complaint because 'it could pose a delay ' since they 'would have the right to refuse to answer any discovery questions ' pending resolution of their criminal matters. Perez and Utley are scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Oahu Circuit Court. CWS said in a statement that DHS 'continues to grieve with the community over the loss of this child. DHS cannot comment on pending litigation. The department will respond to any pending litigation in Court with the assistance and representation of the Department of the Attorney General.' PACT did not return a request for comment on the lawsuit. by
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
CAPTA report released: Only two out of five abuse cases on Child Welfare Services' radar last year
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The State Department of Human Services' 'Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act,' or CAPTA, report shows five children died last year due to child abuse. Only two of them were on the Child Welfare Service's radar. Among them, 3-year-old Sarai Perez Riviera, whose family, according to the report, received child welfare services. Her mother and mother's girlfriend have been charged with murder. Woman arrested in connection to manslaughter of adopted child State Representative Lisa Marten has introduced several bills aimed at strengthening child abuse prevention efforts. Marten, along with the Malama Ohana Working Group, is pushing for reforms including more funding and improved training for case workers. But Marten says a solution lies much deeper. 'We have far too many of these tragic incidents and we know there's a lot of abuse going on that does not make the news and we don't know about it. And what we have to do is break the cycle of abuse,' Marten said. Attorney Randall Rosenberg, who represents the families of Isabella Kalua, Peter Boy Kema and Geanna Bradley in lawsuits against the state, say these cases follow a disturbing lawsuits claim that DHS failed to properly monitor these children, allowing them to remain in abusive homes until it was too late. 'What we found, is that removing the children from their biological parents solves the immediate problem, but often they're placed into a foster home, which is the same or worse than the home that they came from,' Rosenberg said. While reforms are crucial, some say it's not enough. The attorney representing the grandmother of Sarai Perez Riviera has filed a lawsuit against DHS. 'With the hope that having to pay damages will encourage some change in DHS to prevent cases like this from happening again in the future,' said Mark Gallagher, attorney for the family. DHS said confidentiality laws prevent them from commenting about any of these cases. But the department urges people to report child abuse to Child Welfare Services Hotline at (808) 832-5300 for Oʻahu residents, and (888) 380-3088 for residents on the other islands, or call 911, even if you have a feeling something is not right. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
