March 20, 2010

C.P.S. Defends Actions in Seth Ireland Case

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By KSEE News

Story Published: Jan 9, 2009 at 1:10 AM EDT

Story Updated: Jan 9, 2009 at 2:53 PM EDT

Thursday, 2 days after the beating death of 10-year-old Seth Ireland, the director of Fresno County's Child Protective Services is defending her department.

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But, many say Seth was not only the victim of horrific abuse; he was also a victim of a failed system.

At the time of Seth's death, his Child Protective Services case investigation was still open.

C.P.S. Director Catherine Huerta said the social worker assigned to investigate the numerous calls of concern for Seth's well being was also in charge of around 30 other cases.

"If this was the only case she had or she only had 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 10 kids, would there be other things that she could think to do? Oh, yeah, I think so. I do. But, do I believe for a second that she had that kind of time based upon the other referrals of other kids that were at risk? She prioritizes. ", Huerta said.

Fresno County Supervisor Henry Perea said the system failed 3 month old Roman Quiroz when he died from blunt force trauma wounds 2 years ago and the system failed again for Seth Ireland.

"We have a staff that's doing the best they can with the resources they have, but we don't have enough.", Perea said.

But, Perea acknowledges the Board of Supervisors cut funding to C.P.S. to give a bigger piece of the pie to law enforcement; a decision he says he did not support.

Perea said, "All we did was we made the hole in the safety net bigger and that hole is going to get even more... it's going to get bigger as time goes on with the economy the way it is."

Click on the link to see the full report.

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View Oldest Comments First

Monday, Jan 12 at 5:04 PM J. Snowden wrote ...

please have joe Hudson get in touch with me @ 494-0483. Foster parents like to invite him to our monthly meeting.

Sunday, Jan 11 at 12:49 PM Stuart Showalter wrote ...

If CPS didn't view poverty as child abuse then they would have more resources available to address the needs of children who are intentionally being abused and most at risk. Being poor is not abuse. The funding formula for CPS should be changed to that of need rather than the current use it or loose it funding system. Case workers would then not be under pressure to create cases and could then dedicate more time to actual needs. Stuart Showalter, Exec Dir. Boone County Child Advocates

Sunday, Jan 11 at 3:15 AM Kirk wrote ...

I agree, they are just trying to blame funding. They knew this was going on and did nothing. I guess bruises and complaints by several people including a school principal is low priority. Ridiculous!

Friday, Jan 9 at 10:26 PM G.B wrote ...

O.K C.P.S did a good job.. NOT!! How dare you to say you prioritize, A litle boy is death for heaven sake and i am sure there are more cases similar to this one. But your excuse is the same that C.P.S have many cases to handle. where are you supervisors, managers to ask for assistance?? Anyways admitt your fault and work for a better system hu!

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