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DCFS children's deaths rose in 2009 - No major overhauls planned, but director says department remains committed

The county's child welfare and protection agency saw an increase last year in deaths of children whose cases it had investigated, but its head said Friday that the department doesn't plan any major policy overhauls.

Last year, 17 children died from abuse or neglect after the Department of Children and Family Services had investigated earlier complaints of mistreatment.

The figure, an increase from 2008's total of 14 deaths, includes both open and closed investigations.

Those deaths at the hands of a parent or caregiver include several well-publicized cases, including Dae'von Bailey, Lars Sanchez and Isabel Garcia whose alleged mistreatment had been reported to DCFS before their deaths.

While some media reports said the increase in deaths partly contributed to a policy change that would seek to place more kids in foster care to prevent them from harm at home, DCFS Director Trish Ploehn said Friday that the reports were not accurate   Read Full Article...