SC DSS Head: 7 Employees Disciplined

The five children died between 2005 and 2007 and ranged in age from 26 days to 17 years old.

By: The Associated Press | WSAV-TV
Published: April 05, 2009

» Comments | Post a Comment

By The Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The head of the state Department of Social Services says seven employees are being disciplined after five children died in homes where drug abuse was prevalent.

The State {Columbia newspaper} reported Sunday that DSS Director Kathleen Hayes said the agency is disciplining one supervisor and six caseworkers. In addition, another caseworker has been transferred from the agency, and 13 other child welfare staffers have left.

The five children died between 2005 and 2007 and ranged in age from 26 days to 17 years old. They died in households where parents or caregivers were involved in drugs or alcohol.

Hayes reviewed the cases after getting complaints from the Child Fatalities Review Committee, an arm of the State Law Enforcement Division. Committee members said last week that caseworkers were too tolerant of drug use in troubled families.