Let's not have a pissing contest when the lives of children are at stake

Lifeway's license revocation hearing scheduled for June
Craig, Jon Craig, Cincinnati Enquirer, Metro pg. B5.

COLUMBUS - A hearing on whether to revoke Lifeway For Youth's state foster care license is set for June.During a pre-hearing conference Monday, state Examiner Christopher B. McNeil said Lifeway - the agency that placed 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel with foster parents who killed him - has a right to a speedy hearing.

"There will be a cloud over this foster care agency for as long as it takes to go to trial," McNeil said.

He set tentative hearing dates for June 4-7 and June 12-15.

"We completely agree. There is a cloud. We're ready to get to it," said Peter A. Lusenhop, a Columbus attorney representing Lifeway.

Lifeway, based in New Carlisle, oversees more than 300 foster homes in Ohio and operates in five other states.

Attorney Lisa Pierce Reisz, also representing Lifeway, argued they might need up to three weeks to defend the agency on 55 alleged violations.

"I'm not going to set aside three weeks for this hearing," McNeil said. "I'll set aside five days."

In January, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services proposed that Lifeway's license be revoked. The state identified 147 violations in 40 Lifeway foster care cases, 27 of them in Marcus' case.

Kelley R. Haddox, a senior assistant attorney general, said her unit is working with half its normal staff and might have difficulty preparing the state's case by June. "I literally don't have five days (available) between now and July 15," she said.