B.L. 5 Years Old - Deceased March 13th, 2025
B.L. tested positive for opiates and methadone at his birth. His mother admitted to using heroin the day prior and DCYF assigned this as a “risk only” intake - meaning there's alleged risk of serious harm without allegations of abuse or neglect. Other intakes followed and eventually a dependency proceeding occurred. The case closed in September 2020. B.L.'s mother did not comply with substance use treatment. In January 2021, another investigation about substance abuse was closed after a clean urinalysis by both parents. In May 2022, intakes about neglect and substance use screened out. More intakes came in all alleging substance use and dealings, as well as neglect. However, due to the mother's refusal to provide biological samples DCYF didn't have enough evidence for a dependency filing and the case was closed as "unfounded". At the time of his death, fentanyl and "other substances throughout the home" were accessible. Staffing shortages, HB 1227, and SB 6109 were all discussed as part of the findings with this case. B.L. was ordered to be enrolled in childcare as part of the reunification, but this never occurred before the case was closed.
R.R. 21 Months Old - Deceased March 25th, 2024
On June 9th, 2022, a bright and beautiful little girl was born. She was underweight and tested positive for drugs. While R.R. was still in the hospital, her mother left to use drugs. R. R. was still allowed to go home with her mother and within the first year she was diagnosed with "failure to thrive". She was severely underweight which her mother attributed to formula shortages and poor supply of breast milk. CPS visited the home multiple times. R.R.'s grandparents intervened and helped provide formula and R.R. began to gain weight. Her uncle and grandparents got to make many happy memories with her and R.R.'s uncle last saw her alive on Christmas in 2023. R.R. was allegedly laid down for a nap around 3 PM and found unresponsive in her crib at 8 PM. When the police arrived, R.R. showed signs that she had already been deceased for hours. The home was described as having garbage strewn throughout, moldy food in various places, and limited free space on the floors or furniture. R.R. was reported to have enough fentanyl in her tiny body to kill six grown men. Her mother was sentenced to 7.5 years for manslaughter in the first degree.
A.F. 4 Years Old - Deceased December 2024
The father of A.F. had his first intake on August 6th, 2023. Law enforcement reported no concerns other than the home being dirty. The children shared they did not always have snacks available, but the father declined offers for food vouchers and cleaning supplies. The next intake, February 2024, claimed four of the children living in the home were locked in a room at night and would defecate and urinate in the room. This was confirmed by two of the children. There were many adults and children in this home. A.F. had a heart condition and had not seen his cardiologist in years. At one point a child in the home escaped out the window and ran across the street to another home asking for help. Almost one year later, after on-going involvement with the family, maternal relatives started asking where A.F. was. The father admitted that he was deceased, that he did not know how he died, and that he buried the body.
W.T. 15 Months Old - Deceased March 18, 2025
On April 25th, 2024, W.T.'s father was arrested for driving under the influence. Narcotics were present in the vehicle and were found next to the car seat and diapers, and even stored in the child's food container. Two staff from DCYF met with the father the following day as this event met the criteria for a "Family Assessment Response". Medical records obtained during this assessment showed that W.T. had a prior skull fracture that was allegedly not reported. On June 14th, a harm reduction kit was provided to the parents including naloxone, a lockbox and reading material about substance abuse. An unannounced visit was attempted on June 25th by DCYF, but neither the police or the department could make contact even though adults were in the home. It was decided a "Safe Child Consultation" would occur. The parents did not provide urinalysis or the contact information for their attorney like they said they would. The Safe Child Consultation determined there was no safety threat and the case was closed. W.T. was hospitalized on March 13th, 2025 after being found unresponsive in bed with his father and drug paraphernalia.
M.H. 3 Months Old - Deceased May 9th, 2025
The parents of M.H. had been involved with DCYF intermittently since August 2016. A total of 24 reports had been made about the family and 13 met the criteria for a response. The mother had a mental health illness and substance use disorder, and housing was unstable. A dependency was initiated for the second child and they were removed from the home and did not return until March 2023. M.H. was born January 2025. The family was given a lockbox, Narcan, food vouchers, a pack and play and a car seat. They were offered multiple services, but they refused. In May 2025, three days before M.H. died, law enforcement identified drug paraphernalia in the home. Parents declined voluntary placement. The department left information for the parents for safe sleep, an FTDM, and a note on the door the day before M.H. died.