Improving foster care part of new state budget
Death of 3-year-old boy in Cincinnati sparked decision
Improving foster care part of new state budget
Chillicothe Gazette, March 2007.
COLUMBUS - Gov. Ted Strickland's first budget adds $20.8 million in the next two years to improve foster care training, licensing and enforcement - a direct result of the murder of Marcus Fiesel in August in Cincinnati, state officials said.
"It is our hope that this terrible incident will never be repeated in the future," Strickland said Thursday during a Cincinnati visit to tout his budget.
During the next two years, foster care spending would rise from $74.9 million this year to $85.3 million, then $95.7 million.
Most of the increase - channeled through county child welfare agencies - would go for training of workers and parents, in-home inspections, background checks and investigations of child abuse and neglect, according to a budget summary released Thursday.
About $1.3 million of the increase would go to additional state oversight of foster care, according to Budget Director Pari Sabety. Thursday at a news conference, Sabety said the changes resulted from a review of problems that led to Marcus' death.
Marcus, a 3-year-old with disabilities from Middletown, died in the Clermont County home of his foster parents, David and Liz Carroll, because the couple tied him up, locked him in a closet, then left town for two days.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Foster parent arrests include 15 cases of welfare fraud
Background checks find more arrests on foster parents' records
Brogan, Jeff. WCPO Cincinnati, March 16, 2007, 3 pm.
Hamilton County officials have discovered another 30 foster parents or adults in the foster homes have been arrested.
For the last several months, Hamilton County has been checking the criminal histories of those involved in foster care following the death of Marcus Fiesel.
The county is not finished checking the backgrounds but has already found 11 percent of the 517 checked were arrested on a number of charges including child endangering.
"I'm troubled by the 15 cases I've seen of welfare fraud, these are the cases where people have defrauded our welfare system who are current foster parents," said Greg Hartmann, Hamilton County Clerk of Courts. "That might be people who are in the welfare system for a paycheck instead of these kids."
More than 1,000 foster parents still need to be checked. The county hopes to check every foster parent with daily background checks by April.
Brogan, Jeff. WCPO Cincinnati, March 16, 2007, 3 pm.
Hamilton County officials have discovered another 30 foster parents or adults in the foster homes have been arrested.
For the last several months, Hamilton County has been checking the criminal histories of those involved in foster care following the death of Marcus Fiesel.
The county is not finished checking the backgrounds but has already found 11 percent of the 517 checked were arrested on a number of charges including child endangering.
"I'm troubled by the 15 cases I've seen of welfare fraud, these are the cases where people have defrauded our welfare system who are current foster parents," said Greg Hartmann, Hamilton County Clerk of Courts. "That might be people who are in the welfare system for a paycheck instead of these kids."
More than 1,000 foster parents still need to be checked. The county hopes to check every foster parent with daily background checks by April.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Hiring Jann Heffner as a consultant might lead to termination of Children Services Board
Board may get the boot
Butler Co. might ax Children Services
Henderson, Feoshia. Cincinnati Enquirer, March 13, 2007, pg. B1.
HAMILTON - Butler County commissioners said Monday that they might remove the Children Services Board within two months.
The move follows the commission's criticism of a planned six-figure consulting contract between Children Services and outgoing Executive Director Jann Heffner that commissioners said showed poor judgment by the board.
"This board has forced my hands, forced my feelings, with their actions," Commissioner Gregory Jolivette said.
Heffner resigned effective April 15, saying she had become a distraction at the agency that has weathered intense criticism since the August death of 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel in foster care. She will continue to be paid a salary and work on a court improvement project through June.
Shortly after Heffner announced her resignation, the Children Services Board gave her a $110,000 consulting contract. She would be paid $9,166 a month through July 1, 2008, according to the contract.
Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to notify board President Johnny Wade Sloan by letter that they're considering removing the board. Children services could be turned over to another private or government entity, the letter read.
Commissioner Charles Furman introduced the resolution. He said the contract with Heffner won't sit well with voters who are being asked to approve a 2-mill children services renewal levy this November.
"We must correct this problem if we are to pass a children's services levy in November. We cannot allow our children in need to suffer," Furman said.
Sloan said he was aware of the commissioners' plans, but declined to comment because he hadn't received the letter. "I'd like a chance to see first what action they are actually taking," he said.
Sloan said he plans to speak to the commission during its Thursday meeting.
The Children Services Board by statute has up to 60 days to respond to the letter, but commissioners have asked them to respond within 30 days.
Joe Bride, the board's consultant, said the board will meet soon to discuss a response.
"They haven't had a chance to meet yet or decide what they are going to do," Bride said.
Butler County Auditor Kay Rogers said she wouldn't approve the use of money for the Heffner's contract if the board goes ahead with it.
Butler Co. might ax Children Services
Henderson, Feoshia. Cincinnati Enquirer, March 13, 2007, pg. B1.
HAMILTON - Butler County commissioners said Monday that they might remove the Children Services Board within two months.
The move follows the commission's criticism of a planned six-figure consulting contract between Children Services and outgoing Executive Director Jann Heffner that commissioners said showed poor judgment by the board.
"This board has forced my hands, forced my feelings, with their actions," Commissioner Gregory Jolivette said.
Heffner resigned effective April 15, saying she had become a distraction at the agency that has weathered intense criticism since the August death of 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel in foster care. She will continue to be paid a salary and work on a court improvement project through June.
Shortly after Heffner announced her resignation, the Children Services Board gave her a $110,000 consulting contract. She would be paid $9,166 a month through July 1, 2008, according to the contract.
Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to notify board President Johnny Wade Sloan by letter that they're considering removing the board. Children services could be turned over to another private or government entity, the letter read.
Commissioner Charles Furman introduced the resolution. He said the contract with Heffner won't sit well with voters who are being asked to approve a 2-mill children services renewal levy this November.
"We must correct this problem if we are to pass a children's services levy in November. We cannot allow our children in need to suffer," Furman said.
Sloan said he was aware of the commissioners' plans, but declined to comment because he hadn't received the letter. "I'd like a chance to see first what action they are actually taking," he said.
Sloan said he plans to speak to the commission during its Thursday meeting.
The Children Services Board by statute has up to 60 days to respond to the letter, but commissioners have asked them to respond within 30 days.
Joe Bride, the board's consultant, said the board will meet soon to discuss a response.
"They haven't had a chance to meet yet or decide what they are going to do," Bride said.
Butler County Auditor Kay Rogers said she wouldn't approve the use of money for the Heffner's contract if the board goes ahead with it.
Carroll's biological children to be placed in a safe home
Carrolls attend custody hearing
Grandparents want to take couple's four children
Brunsman, Barrett J. Cincinnati Enquirer, March 13, 2007, pg. B1.
BATAVIA - Two grandparents are seeking custody of Liz and David Carroll Jr.'s four children.
The Carrolls acknowledged in court Monday that long prison sentences for the murder of their foster son, Marcus Fiesel, will make it impossible for them to care for their other kids.
The father of Liz Carroll, Delbert Sims, and the mother of David Carroll, Debbie Hounshell, are seeking custody of the children - a boy and girl who are 8, a 6-year-old boy and a 3-year-old boy, court officials said.
The 8-year-old girl is the daughter of David Carroll and Christie Lee Adams, but Liz Carroll had legal custody of the child.
The four children were placed in emergency foster care after the Carrolls were arrested Aug. 28 in the death of Marcus, 3. The children will remain in foster homes at least until the custody case is resolved.
Background checks on the grandparents will be conducted before a May 7 hearing, court officials said.
After Monday's hearing in Clermont County Juvenile Court, David Carroll mouthed the words "I love you" to his wife as he was led from the courtroom. Liz Carroll, who like her husband had her hands cuffed and feet shackled, burst into tears before she was also led out by a sheriff's deputy.
The Carrolls were found guilty of murder in the August death of 3-year-old Marcus.
Before the custody hearing, Liz Carroll was brought back to the Clermont County Jail from the state prison in Marysville.
David Carroll remained at the jail while awaiting transfer to a state prison.
A foster child of the Carrolls since May, Marcus died after being bound in a blanket with tape and left in a closet in their Union Township home while the couple attended a reunion of Liz Carroll's family in Grant County, Ky., the weekend of Aug. 4.
The former live-in girlfriend of the Carrolls, Amy Baker, testified at Liz Carroll's murder trial that the couple bound Marcus.
Liz Carroll didn't want her relatives to see bruising on the neck of Marcus after David Carroll left the developmentally delayed boy in a car seat overnight, Baker testified.
The three children of Baker, 25, were placed in foster care after she was left homeless by the arrest of the Carrolls. A custody hearing for them is scheduled for March 19 in Clermont County Juvenile Court.
Investigators for the Clermont County Department of Children's Protective Services have sworn in Juvenile Court that the Carrolls and Baker allowed their children to be subjected to domestic violence.
Liz Carroll wants relatives to raise the kids, said Katherine M. Kelley, her court-appointed attorney, after Monday's hearing.
The legal interests of the Carroll children are being represented by a court-appointed guardian, Anita Bechmann, who is an assistant Clermont County public defender. She could speak at the May hearing on behalf of the best interests of the children if a conflict arises over what the Carrolls want.
Liz Carroll, 30, will be eligible for parole after spending 54 years in prison on a life sentence. David Carroll, 29, will be eligible for parole after spending 16 years in prison on a life sentence.
Judge Stephanie Wyler of Juvenile Court postponed ruling on a request by Bechmann that The Enquirer, other news media and the public be barred from attending the hearing.
Clermont County Children's Protective Services also had requested that the custody hearing be closed to the public.
The judge is expected to rule next week on a similar request made in the custody case of the Baker children.
The Enquirer has objected to closure of any court proceedings or records involving the Carrolls, Baker and their children.
Grandparents want to take couple's four children
Brunsman, Barrett J. Cincinnati Enquirer, March 13, 2007, pg. B1.
BATAVIA - Two grandparents are seeking custody of Liz and David Carroll Jr.'s four children.
The Carrolls acknowledged in court Monday that long prison sentences for the murder of their foster son, Marcus Fiesel, will make it impossible for them to care for their other kids.
The father of Liz Carroll, Delbert Sims, and the mother of David Carroll, Debbie Hounshell, are seeking custody of the children - a boy and girl who are 8, a 6-year-old boy and a 3-year-old boy, court officials said.
The 8-year-old girl is the daughter of David Carroll and Christie Lee Adams, but Liz Carroll had legal custody of the child.
The four children were placed in emergency foster care after the Carrolls were arrested Aug. 28 in the death of Marcus, 3. The children will remain in foster homes at least until the custody case is resolved.
Background checks on the grandparents will be conducted before a May 7 hearing, court officials said.
After Monday's hearing in Clermont County Juvenile Court, David Carroll mouthed the words "I love you" to his wife as he was led from the courtroom. Liz Carroll, who like her husband had her hands cuffed and feet shackled, burst into tears before she was also led out by a sheriff's deputy.
The Carrolls were found guilty of murder in the August death of 3-year-old Marcus.
Before the custody hearing, Liz Carroll was brought back to the Clermont County Jail from the state prison in Marysville.
David Carroll remained at the jail while awaiting transfer to a state prison.
A foster child of the Carrolls since May, Marcus died after being bound in a blanket with tape and left in a closet in their Union Township home while the couple attended a reunion of Liz Carroll's family in Grant County, Ky., the weekend of Aug. 4.
The former live-in girlfriend of the Carrolls, Amy Baker, testified at Liz Carroll's murder trial that the couple bound Marcus.
Liz Carroll didn't want her relatives to see bruising on the neck of Marcus after David Carroll left the developmentally delayed boy in a car seat overnight, Baker testified.
The three children of Baker, 25, were placed in foster care after she was left homeless by the arrest of the Carrolls. A custody hearing for them is scheduled for March 19 in Clermont County Juvenile Court.
Investigators for the Clermont County Department of Children's Protective Services have sworn in Juvenile Court that the Carrolls and Baker allowed their children to be subjected to domestic violence.
Liz Carroll wants relatives to raise the kids, said Katherine M. Kelley, her court-appointed attorney, after Monday's hearing.
The legal interests of the Carroll children are being represented by a court-appointed guardian, Anita Bechmann, who is an assistant Clermont County public defender. She could speak at the May hearing on behalf of the best interests of the children if a conflict arises over what the Carrolls want.
Liz Carroll, 30, will be eligible for parole after spending 54 years in prison on a life sentence. David Carroll, 29, will be eligible for parole after spending 16 years in prison on a life sentence.
Judge Stephanie Wyler of Juvenile Court postponed ruling on a request by Bechmann that The Enquirer, other news media and the public be barred from attending the hearing.
Clermont County Children's Protective Services also had requested that the custody hearing be closed to the public.
The judge is expected to rule next week on a similar request made in the custody case of the Baker children.
The Enquirer has objected to closure of any court proceedings or records involving the Carrolls, Baker and their children.
Answering the question about what will happen to Liz Carroll's children
Carroll grandparents seek custody
Cincinnati Post, March 13, 2007, pg. A2.
Two grandparents have asked a juvenile court for custody of four children whose parents were convicted of murder in the death of their developmentally disabled 3-year-old foster son.
Delbert Sims, the father of Liz Carroll, and Debbie Hounshell, the mother of David Carroll Jr., want custody of a boy and girl who are 8, a 6-year-old boy and a 3-year-old boy, court officials said.
The children were placed in foster care after the Carrolls were arrested Aug. 28 in the death of Marcus Fiesel of Middletown.
Liz Carroll, 30, denied any role in the boy's death, but was convicted of murder and six other charges last month. She was sentenced to 54 years to life in prison.
David Carroll, 29, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison on his guilty plea to murder, with an additional year in prison for his guilty plea to gross abuse of a corpse.
The couple appeared Monday at a hearing in Clermont County Juvenile Court and acknowledged that their sentences will make it impossible for them to care for the children.
Liz Carroll wants relatives to raise the children, said Katherine Kelley, her court-appointed attorney. Background checks on the grandparents will be conducted before a hearing set for May 7, court officials said.
The children are being represented by court-appointed guardian Anita Bechmann, an assistant Clermont County public defender who asked a judge to close the May hearing to the media and the public. Children's Protective Services agreed. Judge Stephanie Wyler postponed ruling on the matter Monday.
Cincinnati Post, March 13, 2007, pg. A2.
Two grandparents have asked a juvenile court for custody of four children whose parents were convicted of murder in the death of their developmentally disabled 3-year-old foster son.
Delbert Sims, the father of Liz Carroll, and Debbie Hounshell, the mother of David Carroll Jr., want custody of a boy and girl who are 8, a 6-year-old boy and a 3-year-old boy, court officials said.
The children were placed in foster care after the Carrolls were arrested Aug. 28 in the death of Marcus Fiesel of Middletown.
Liz Carroll, 30, denied any role in the boy's death, but was convicted of murder and six other charges last month. She was sentenced to 54 years to life in prison.
David Carroll, 29, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison on his guilty plea to murder, with an additional year in prison for his guilty plea to gross abuse of a corpse.
The couple appeared Monday at a hearing in Clermont County Juvenile Court and acknowledged that their sentences will make it impossible for them to care for the children.
Liz Carroll wants relatives to raise the children, said Katherine Kelley, her court-appointed attorney. Background checks on the grandparents will be conducted before a hearing set for May 7, court officials said.
The children are being represented by court-appointed guardian Anita Bechmann, an assistant Clermont County public defender who asked a judge to close the May hearing to the media and the public. Children's Protective Services agreed. Judge Stephanie Wyler postponed ruling on the matter Monday.
Increase the likelihood of child safety with real-time information on foster parent arrests and convictions
Foster care reform taking root
Brooks-Higgins, Candice. Hamilton Journal News, March 12, 2007, pg. A2.
Increasing the frequency and effectiveness of foster parent criminal background checks is something foster and adoptive parent Rhonda Clark said "only makes sense."
Clark, a foster parent with her husband for 29 years, said she supports local and state officials' efforts to toughen foster parent screening since the August murder of foster child Marcus Fiesel.
"If you've got nothing to hide, there shouldn't be a reason you wouldn't want someone to do a background check on you," said Clark, who has five children of her own and four adopted daughters. "These children need all the safety nets that can be given to them. They've already got a bad start anyway."
No net saved Marcus. The developmentally disabled 3-year-old was murdered in the home of his foster parents in Clermont County's Union Township and his body burned and the remains dumped into the Ohio River six weeks after his foster father was arrested on a domestic violence charge.
Child welfare officials didn't learn of the arrest until after the Middletown boy's death. The foster parents, Liz and David Carroll Jr., were both convicted last month of murder.
Now, local and state officials are closer than ever to closing the loophole to ensure that not only convictions, but arrests, are reported to child welfare agencies and checked daily, rather than the minimum of every two years under current state law.
A state legislative committee for foster reform could have a bill drafted by month's end that will call for the creation of a statewide, "real time" criminal tracking system for all persons required by government licensing agencies to have criminal checks -- including teachers and school bus drivers.
The system could be connected to the new Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS), which Butler County joined a week ago and other counties will join this year, said state Sen. Tom Niehaus, R-New Richmond, who leads the reform committee.
"It appears as though Ohio has the ability to create a system where the local law enforcement, in conjunction with the foster care agencies -- public and private -- will be able to get real time information on arrests, convictions, in particular instances when children might be in jeopardy," Niehaus said.
A bill could be introduced this spring, he said.
Rather than wait on the state, neighboring Hamilton County last week approved a plan that requires all 1,500 of its foster parents and any adults living in their homes to submit to daily checks for criminal offenses. If foster parents do not comply by next month, Hamilton County Job and Family Services Director Rick Roberts said their foster children will be removed "despite any trauma the disruption might create for the child."
After Hamilton County Job and Family Services turned over the names of 304 of its foster parents, the clerk of courts' initial check revealed 27 had criminal records for offenses such as child endangerment, assault, domestic violence, receiving stolen property, grand theft, menacing and welfare fraud.
Butler County Children Services, which approved Marcus' placement with the Carrolls, has been at the center of heated controversy, but hasn't made the same progress as its neighboring county.
It's not been "for a lack of effort or wanting," Children Services spokeswoman Denise Winkler said.
Butler County's records for area, municipal and county-level courts are not integrated into a central database like Hamilton County's court records, Butler County Clerk of Courts Administrator Jerome A. Cook said.
Butler County by April will be finished adding its common pleas court records to Montgomery County's Criminal Justice Information System, which already contains data from 80 court and police agencies in Montgomery and Greene counties.
It also red flags public child welfare agencies in those counties when foster parents are charged with crimes and could do the same in Butler County. First, however, Butler County must get all its courts to join the system.
If surrounding counties join, the system could be used regionally, and that's something Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Greg Hartmann said grabs his interest.
"It makes sense for all of us to work together on this," Hartmann said. "We share common goals, and that is to share information about what's going on in these foster homes."
Brooks-Higgins, Candice. Hamilton Journal News, March 12, 2007, pg. A2.
Increasing the frequency and effectiveness of foster parent criminal background checks is something foster and adoptive parent Rhonda Clark said "only makes sense."
Clark, a foster parent with her husband for 29 years, said she supports local and state officials' efforts to toughen foster parent screening since the August murder of foster child Marcus Fiesel.
"If you've got nothing to hide, there shouldn't be a reason you wouldn't want someone to do a background check on you," said Clark, who has five children of her own and four adopted daughters. "These children need all the safety nets that can be given to them. They've already got a bad start anyway."
No net saved Marcus. The developmentally disabled 3-year-old was murdered in the home of his foster parents in Clermont County's Union Township and his body burned and the remains dumped into the Ohio River six weeks after his foster father was arrested on a domestic violence charge.
Child welfare officials didn't learn of the arrest until after the Middletown boy's death. The foster parents, Liz and David Carroll Jr., were both convicted last month of murder.
Now, local and state officials are closer than ever to closing the loophole to ensure that not only convictions, but arrests, are reported to child welfare agencies and checked daily, rather than the minimum of every two years under current state law.
A state legislative committee for foster reform could have a bill drafted by month's end that will call for the creation of a statewide, "real time" criminal tracking system for all persons required by government licensing agencies to have criminal checks -- including teachers and school bus drivers.
The system could be connected to the new Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS), which Butler County joined a week ago and other counties will join this year, said state Sen. Tom Niehaus, R-New Richmond, who leads the reform committee.
"It appears as though Ohio has the ability to create a system where the local law enforcement, in conjunction with the foster care agencies -- public and private -- will be able to get real time information on arrests, convictions, in particular instances when children might be in jeopardy," Niehaus said.
A bill could be introduced this spring, he said.
Rather than wait on the state, neighboring Hamilton County last week approved a plan that requires all 1,500 of its foster parents and any adults living in their homes to submit to daily checks for criminal offenses. If foster parents do not comply by next month, Hamilton County Job and Family Services Director Rick Roberts said their foster children will be removed "despite any trauma the disruption might create for the child."
After Hamilton County Job and Family Services turned over the names of 304 of its foster parents, the clerk of courts' initial check revealed 27 had criminal records for offenses such as child endangerment, assault, domestic violence, receiving stolen property, grand theft, menacing and welfare fraud.
Butler County Children Services, which approved Marcus' placement with the Carrolls, has been at the center of heated controversy, but hasn't made the same progress as its neighboring county.
It's not been "for a lack of effort or wanting," Children Services spokeswoman Denise Winkler said.
Butler County's records for area, municipal and county-level courts are not integrated into a central database like Hamilton County's court records, Butler County Clerk of Courts Administrator Jerome A. Cook said.
Butler County by April will be finished adding its common pleas court records to Montgomery County's Criminal Justice Information System, which already contains data from 80 court and police agencies in Montgomery and Greene counties.
It also red flags public child welfare agencies in those counties when foster parents are charged with crimes and could do the same in Butler County. First, however, Butler County must get all its courts to join the system.
If surrounding counties join, the system could be used regionally, and that's something Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Greg Hartmann said grabs his interest.
"It makes sense for all of us to work together on this," Hartmann said. "We share common goals, and that is to share information about what's going on in these foster homes."
Monday, March 12, 2007
The truth behind the chimney
Marcus case hit home, so he took action
Kelley, Eileen. Cincinnati Enquirer, March 10, 2007, pg. B1.
For 65-year-old Dave Richey, the area around the Merritt Road chimney was an escape from the sun, the noise of his road grader and the din of traffic on busier roads in Brown County.A stunning 30-foot-high stone chimney, the only vestige of an old farmhouse, and a swift-running creek allowed him to lose himself in the peace and the beauty of the area during his lunch breaks.
But in August, Richey learned a heartbreaking fact about the chimney: It was where the body of 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel was burned.
Richey, who retired from his job two months ago, hasn't gone back to the old chimney since. Marcus' death, he said, "kind of ruined it for me."
Richey, a Lewis Township road maintenance worker, called an old buddy, Brown County Sheriff's Deputy Tim Hubbard.
For the next several weeks, the two organized a benefit - with pony rides, cornhole, a band, baked goods and bicycles for an auction - in Marcus' name.
On Friday, the results of the benefit were clear when two programs that specialize in the care and support for autistic children in Brown, Clermont and surrounding counties were each given a check for $2,500.
And $3,000 in future scholarships for six college-bound high school graduates from West Clermont and Brown County high schools were given to school officials.
Sometime this spring, a granite bench will be placed and dedicated in the name of Marcus in a Brown County park, Richey said.
All told, the benefit and a few other donations brought in $9,000 in the name of Marcus.
"It's been great to see the community come together," Richey told the small crowd gathered Friday for the check presentations.
As the recipients were handed their checks, cameras flashed. People applauded.
"It's a day of mixed emotions," said Gary Brooks, superintendent of the West Clermont Local School District.
He said he's happy to receive the scholarship money, but not for the reason behind the donation.
We are here "because of the short, tragic life of Marcus Fiesel," he said.
Marcus' foster parents, Liz and David Carroll Jr., are in prison for killing him.
Liz Carroll was sentenced last month to 54 years to life in prison. She is appealing. Her husband pleaded guilty to murder and will be eligible for parole in 16 years.
Prosecutors say the couple bound the boy and left him alone in a closet to die over the weekend of Aug 4.
Amy Baker, who grew up in Brown County and was the Carrolls' live-in girlfriend, helped dispose of Marcus' body in Brown County.
The Carrolls and Baker then concocted an elaborate story about Marcus being missing from an Anderson Township park. (Baker was later granted immunity from prosecution.)
From that point on, Greater Cincinnati galvanized: first to find the boy, who was in fact dead; then, attending benefits and hearings to seek changes in local and state regulations regarding foster care.
"I think this is why Marcus was here," said Pam Bolton, of Amelia, who attended the check-presentation event on Friday, and last month attended the trail of Liz Carroll. "I think he was placed here to bring attention to the (foster care) situation."
Kelley, Eileen. Cincinnati Enquirer, March 10, 2007, pg. B1.
For 65-year-old Dave Richey, the area around the Merritt Road chimney was an escape from the sun, the noise of his road grader and the din of traffic on busier roads in Brown County.A stunning 30-foot-high stone chimney, the only vestige of an old farmhouse, and a swift-running creek allowed him to lose himself in the peace and the beauty of the area during his lunch breaks.
But in August, Richey learned a heartbreaking fact about the chimney: It was where the body of 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel was burned.
Richey, who retired from his job two months ago, hasn't gone back to the old chimney since. Marcus' death, he said, "kind of ruined it for me."
Richey, a Lewis Township road maintenance worker, called an old buddy, Brown County Sheriff's Deputy Tim Hubbard.
For the next several weeks, the two organized a benefit - with pony rides, cornhole, a band, baked goods and bicycles for an auction - in Marcus' name.
On Friday, the results of the benefit were clear when two programs that specialize in the care and support for autistic children in Brown, Clermont and surrounding counties were each given a check for $2,500.
And $3,000 in future scholarships for six college-bound high school graduates from West Clermont and Brown County high schools were given to school officials.
Sometime this spring, a granite bench will be placed and dedicated in the name of Marcus in a Brown County park, Richey said.
All told, the benefit and a few other donations brought in $9,000 in the name of Marcus.
"It's been great to see the community come together," Richey told the small crowd gathered Friday for the check presentations.
As the recipients were handed their checks, cameras flashed. People applauded.
"It's a day of mixed emotions," said Gary Brooks, superintendent of the West Clermont Local School District.
He said he's happy to receive the scholarship money, but not for the reason behind the donation.
We are here "because of the short, tragic life of Marcus Fiesel," he said.
Marcus' foster parents, Liz and David Carroll Jr., are in prison for killing him.
Liz Carroll was sentenced last month to 54 years to life in prison. She is appealing. Her husband pleaded guilty to murder and will be eligible for parole in 16 years.
Prosecutors say the couple bound the boy and left him alone in a closet to die over the weekend of Aug 4.
Amy Baker, who grew up in Brown County and was the Carrolls' live-in girlfriend, helped dispose of Marcus' body in Brown County.
The Carrolls and Baker then concocted an elaborate story about Marcus being missing from an Anderson Township park. (Baker was later granted immunity from prosecution.)
From that point on, Greater Cincinnati galvanized: first to find the boy, who was in fact dead; then, attending benefits and hearings to seek changes in local and state regulations regarding foster care.
"I think this is why Marcus was here," said Pam Bolton, of Amelia, who attended the check-presentation event on Friday, and last month attended the trail of Liz Carroll. "I think he was placed here to bring attention to the (foster care) situation."
Saturday, March 10, 2007
High school voice says, don't house children with criminals
Voices from high school students:
Crack down on foster parents with records
Cincinnati Enquirer, March 8, 2007, pg. C7.
The following are letters from seniors in Aaron Parker's government class at Lockland High School.
In regard to the front-page article "Foster parents get ultimatum" (March 6), they should have been giving ongoing criminal background checks the whole time. It's stupid not to be checking these foster parents' backgrounds. How can someone put a child in the hands of a criminal?
It's ridiculous to have 27 parents be arrested on charges of assault, violence, stolen property and fraud. It doesn't matter if the charges were dropped or lessened; these people did not deserve a child, and the child deserved better than those people. Criminal background checks should have never been overlooked or not issued. It's a shame that children are put in environments that jeopardize their health and safety.
-Adrienne Begley, Lockland
Crack down on foster parents with records
Cincinnati Enquirer, March 8, 2007, pg. C7.
The following are letters from seniors in Aaron Parker's government class at Lockland High School.
In regard to the front-page article "Foster parents get ultimatum" (March 6), they should have been giving ongoing criminal background checks the whole time. It's stupid not to be checking these foster parents' backgrounds. How can someone put a child in the hands of a criminal?
It's ridiculous to have 27 parents be arrested on charges of assault, violence, stolen property and fraud. It doesn't matter if the charges were dropped or lessened; these people did not deserve a child, and the child deserved better than those people. Criminal background checks should have never been overlooked or not issued. It's a shame that children are put in environments that jeopardize their health and safety.
-Adrienne Begley, Lockland
30 days to agree to background checks, or children will be removed from homes
Criminal checks get OK
Foster parents have 30 days to agree
Brown, Jessica. Cincinnati Enquirer, March 8, 2007, pg. C1.
Foster parents in Hamilton County - and anyone over 18 living in their homes - will undergo continuing background checks under a new program approved Wednesday by the Hamilton County Commissioners.
Foster parents have 30 days to agree to the checks or the county will remove the foster children from their homes.
Some foster parents have expressed concern about giving out their Social Security numbers for the background checks. But Brian Gregg, spokesman for the county's Department of Job and Family Services, said he thinks 90 to 95 percent will comply.
The groundbreaking legislation is a joint project among the Hamilton County commissioners, clerk of courts, and JFS.
It arose from the slaying last year of 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel by his foster parents in Clermont County. Hamilton County began working on a system by which JFS would be immediately notified if any of its foster care providers is arrested.
Recent background checks on 305 of the foster parents revealed 27 arrests, including domestic violence and menacing charges, alarming county officials.
"With every tragedy you mourn, but you also learn lessons," said Commissioner David Pepper. No other county in the state will have as comprehensive a background check system for foster parents as Hamilton County, commissioners said.
Final details were hammered out Monday and Tuesday.
The program will provide continuing criminal checks on all county foster parents and those licensed through private agencies - an estimated 1,500 parents in all, officials said. The program also was expanded to include any other adults living in the foster home.
For now, the system will detect only crimes committed in Hamilton County, but officials are working to broaden it to allow national background checks.
Gregg said the county remains in desperate need of good foster parents, particularly if some don't consent to the background checks.
Commissioner Todd Portune said he supported recruitment of new foster parents and hopes current foster parents recognize this program as "necessary for the greater good."
Commissioners also approved a motion by Pat DeWine that would allow an ombudsman to provide independent oversight of the agency and review the cases that have been flagged in the initial background checks.
How will the program work?
The Department of Job and Family Services will give the Clerk of Courts' office the names, addresses and Social Security numbers of foster parents for its 750 foster children, and any adults living in those homes.
Clerk of Courts Greg Hartmann's office will run the names daily through his computer system, which tracks all Hamilton County arrests. The names and Social Security numbers will remain confidential.
Any arrests will be flagged, and reported back to JFS.
JFS will investigate the allegations and decide whether to seek removal of the foster children.
Foster parents have 30 days to agree
Brown, Jessica. Cincinnati Enquirer, March 8, 2007, pg. C1.
Foster parents in Hamilton County - and anyone over 18 living in their homes - will undergo continuing background checks under a new program approved Wednesday by the Hamilton County Commissioners.
Foster parents have 30 days to agree to the checks or the county will remove the foster children from their homes.
Some foster parents have expressed concern about giving out their Social Security numbers for the background checks. But Brian Gregg, spokesman for the county's Department of Job and Family Services, said he thinks 90 to 95 percent will comply.
The groundbreaking legislation is a joint project among the Hamilton County commissioners, clerk of courts, and JFS.
It arose from the slaying last year of 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel by his foster parents in Clermont County. Hamilton County began working on a system by which JFS would be immediately notified if any of its foster care providers is arrested.
Recent background checks on 305 of the foster parents revealed 27 arrests, including domestic violence and menacing charges, alarming county officials.
"With every tragedy you mourn, but you also learn lessons," said Commissioner David Pepper. No other county in the state will have as comprehensive a background check system for foster parents as Hamilton County, commissioners said.
Final details were hammered out Monday and Tuesday.
The program will provide continuing criminal checks on all county foster parents and those licensed through private agencies - an estimated 1,500 parents in all, officials said. The program also was expanded to include any other adults living in the foster home.
For now, the system will detect only crimes committed in Hamilton County, but officials are working to broaden it to allow national background checks.
Gregg said the county remains in desperate need of good foster parents, particularly if some don't consent to the background checks.
Commissioner Todd Portune said he supported recruitment of new foster parents and hopes current foster parents recognize this program as "necessary for the greater good."
Commissioners also approved a motion by Pat DeWine that would allow an ombudsman to provide independent oversight of the agency and review the cases that have been flagged in the initial background checks.
How will the program work?
The Department of Job and Family Services will give the Clerk of Courts' office the names, addresses and Social Security numbers of foster parents for its 750 foster children, and any adults living in those homes.
Clerk of Courts Greg Hartmann's office will run the names daily through his computer system, which tracks all Hamilton County arrests. The names and Social Security numbers will remain confidential.
Any arrests will be flagged, and reported back to JFS.
JFS will investigate the allegations and decide whether to seek removal of the foster children.
Montgomery Co. Criminal Justice Information System is better than relying on self-reporting
Keeping track of foster parents vital
McCarty, Mary. Dayton Daily News, March 8, 2007, pg. A4.
What if Butler County Children Services had been aware that David Carroll Jr. had been arrested on domestic-violence charges several months before the death of his foster son, Marcus Fiesel? A merry-eyed 3-year-old boy might be alive today.
His death is already making a difference for foster children in Montgomery County. Since the beginning of the year, every arrest is checked against the names of foster parents licensed through Montgomery County Children Services.
In the past, a criminal background check would be conducted on every potential foster parent. But once parents entered the system, many months could elapse before Children Services learned of a fresh arrest.
After Marcus' death, then-Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Dan Foley vowed he would do something about that. He already had the tool he needed: the Montgomery County Criminal Justice Information System, a database that enables officials to access countywide records going back to 1999.
"In the past, foster parents were told they had to self-report — and that system is only as good as the people expected to do it," said Children Services spokeswoman Ann Stevens. "This will tighten things up."
Stevens said the agency received its first alert last week. "We'll review the charge and determine if it puts the child at risk in the home," she said.
Foley, now a Montgomery County commissioner, said the database so far only includes foster parents licensed through Children Services, rather than private agencies. He is working with fellow commissioners Judy Dodge and Debbie Lieberman to close that loophole, as well as to expand the database to Miami and Warren counties. (Greene County already has been incorporated.)
"Sometimes it takes a tragedy to get things changed," said new Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Greg Brush. The response here appears in stark contrast to what is happening in Hamilton County, where Clerk of Courts Greg Hartmann has been battling to obtain the names of 445 foster parents licensed through private agencies. Hamilton County Job and Family Services has refused to provide them.
"Thank goodness we haven't had that problem," Brush said. "Everybody is cooperating and participating. Nobody is being parochial and saying, 'Don't tell me what to do.' "
That doesn't surprise former Montgomery County Commissioner Vicki Pegg, the woman who initiated the criminal justice database eight years ago to track domestic violence cases.
"What makes the difference here is the combined human services levy," she said. "Agency directors know each other. If you communicate, you trust."
Children Services' Stevens has noticed another, more troubling development since Marcus' death: Fewer people have been inquiring about becoming foster parents.
"This is one isolated tragic case and on a daily basis there are thousands of kids who are doing great in foster care," she said.
While it's important for foster parents to be monitored more carefully, it's equally critical for good parents to step forward. "It's really other foster parents who can convince other people they can take on this challenge," Stevens said. "They're the best recruiters we have."
McCarty, Mary. Dayton Daily News, March 8, 2007, pg. A4.
What if Butler County Children Services had been aware that David Carroll Jr. had been arrested on domestic-violence charges several months before the death of his foster son, Marcus Fiesel? A merry-eyed 3-year-old boy might be alive today.
His death is already making a difference for foster children in Montgomery County. Since the beginning of the year, every arrest is checked against the names of foster parents licensed through Montgomery County Children Services.
In the past, a criminal background check would be conducted on every potential foster parent. But once parents entered the system, many months could elapse before Children Services learned of a fresh arrest.
After Marcus' death, then-Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Dan Foley vowed he would do something about that. He already had the tool he needed: the Montgomery County Criminal Justice Information System, a database that enables officials to access countywide records going back to 1999.
"In the past, foster parents were told they had to self-report — and that system is only as good as the people expected to do it," said Children Services spokeswoman Ann Stevens. "This will tighten things up."
Stevens said the agency received its first alert last week. "We'll review the charge and determine if it puts the child at risk in the home," she said.
Foley, now a Montgomery County commissioner, said the database so far only includes foster parents licensed through Children Services, rather than private agencies. He is working with fellow commissioners Judy Dodge and Debbie Lieberman to close that loophole, as well as to expand the database to Miami and Warren counties. (Greene County already has been incorporated.)
"Sometimes it takes a tragedy to get things changed," said new Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Greg Brush. The response here appears in stark contrast to what is happening in Hamilton County, where Clerk of Courts Greg Hartmann has been battling to obtain the names of 445 foster parents licensed through private agencies. Hamilton County Job and Family Services has refused to provide them.
"Thank goodness we haven't had that problem," Brush said. "Everybody is cooperating and participating. Nobody is being parochial and saying, 'Don't tell me what to do.' "
That doesn't surprise former Montgomery County Commissioner Vicki Pegg, the woman who initiated the criminal justice database eight years ago to track domestic violence cases.
"What makes the difference here is the combined human services levy," she said. "Agency directors know each other. If you communicate, you trust."
Children Services' Stevens has noticed another, more troubling development since Marcus' death: Fewer people have been inquiring about becoming foster parents.
"This is one isolated tragic case and on a daily basis there are thousands of kids who are doing great in foster care," she said.
While it's important for foster parents to be monitored more carefully, it's equally critical for good parents to step forward. "It's really other foster parents who can convince other people they can take on this challenge," Stevens said. "They're the best recruiters we have."
Federal funding skewed in favor of foster care, over relative placements
Editorial: Skewed priorities hurt relief for abused kids --
When government works against itself
Ofobike, Laura. Akron Beacon Journal, March 6, 2007, pg. A6.
Ask many people how government works, and they'll probably tell you they don't know. But they'll tell you this: however government works, the process frequently is mystifying. Either one hand does not know what the other is doing or it is undercutting what the other is doing.
Post 9/11, every American has a ready exhibit. How could a band of Islamic radicals pull off the biggest terrorist operation inside this country and dozens of intelligence services not know enough about it to stop it?The short answer? Because when it counted, the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigations were operating in their own orbits, neither agency knowing much of what the other had or was doing. In the What Went Wrong phase, the analysts concluded the problem lay in a communications gap, a clash of agency culture.
Or take city streets, for a less traumatic example. One week, a crew comes along and paves a rutted street, leaving it as smooth as silk. Months later, spray-painted neon lines appear from curb to street, announcing numbered days for smoothness. Another crew comes along, digs up the street and leaves tiny hills of asphalt -- and questions. Didn't someone know, when the first crew went out, there was this other work to do? Couldn't the divisions involved do a better job of coordinating?
Emergencies and the inevitable do happen, to be sure. Different departments have their specialized missions and priorities.They develop a tunnel vision and practices to meet their own goals. Gas or water lines break, and there's nothing to do but dig up a perfectly nice street.
The frustration some of us have with government is that more often than they should, legislation, priorities and practices work at cross-purposes, one set of laws or practices subverting the very goals government sets itself to accomplish.
More often than not, it is possible to live with the impact of the contradictions and conflicts at no great disadvantage. A needlessly bumpy street, for instance, may be a minor annoyance. It may represent a waste of effort and funds and signal a need to improve scheduling. It may offer an opportunity to rail against a public figure or two or even be an occasion for a joke ("watch your tax dollars at work!"), but it does not reduce a person's opportunities for a decent life.
The results are not benign, however, when intelligence agencies work at cross-purposes. As experience has shown, thousands of people die when that happens. And the results are not benign, either, when policies intended to put abandoned, abused and neglected children into adoptive families become barriers themselves, undermining the goal.
The Public Children Services Association of Ohio has just released an update of the factbook it has published every other year for the past 14 years. The county-by-county profiles offer encouragement about the progress Ohio is making in protecting children from abusive households. Statewide, the number of children in the custody of child welfare agencies has declined, as has the number waiting for adoption. But the publication also exposes holes in the protective services, the unintended results of conflicting policy priorities that undercut the stated goals.
Case in point: an emphasis in federal funding that favors foster care when research indicates the most effective approach is to work with families to prevent the need for foster care in the first place. Everyone understands that foster care is a temporary solution and that the best environment for children is a stable and loving family life with their parents. Failing that, adoption by an interested relative or concerned person is the next best answer.
Prevention isn't our strongest suit. As in other areas of public policy, services that would help prevent or reduce the need for foster care in the first place receive little more than lip service while the bulk of funding supports the stop-gap options.
Child-welfare advocates observe the skewed emphasis in federal funding, more of which is directed toward placing children in foster care than providing incentives to support relatives who adopt family members and give them permanent homes. Further, once adoptions are finalized, whether they are kin or not, families receive few support services such as counseling, respite care, tutoring and assistance in the home for children with special needs.
When policies intended to give children a chance at family stability instead create disincentives to adoption, children lose opportunities for better lives.
When government works against itself
Ofobike, Laura. Akron Beacon Journal, March 6, 2007, pg. A6.
Ask many people how government works, and they'll probably tell you they don't know. But they'll tell you this: however government works, the process frequently is mystifying. Either one hand does not know what the other is doing or it is undercutting what the other is doing.
Post 9/11, every American has a ready exhibit. How could a band of Islamic radicals pull off the biggest terrorist operation inside this country and dozens of intelligence services not know enough about it to stop it?The short answer? Because when it counted, the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigations were operating in their own orbits, neither agency knowing much of what the other had or was doing. In the What Went Wrong phase, the analysts concluded the problem lay in a communications gap, a clash of agency culture.
Or take city streets, for a less traumatic example. One week, a crew comes along and paves a rutted street, leaving it as smooth as silk. Months later, spray-painted neon lines appear from curb to street, announcing numbered days for smoothness. Another crew comes along, digs up the street and leaves tiny hills of asphalt -- and questions. Didn't someone know, when the first crew went out, there was this other work to do? Couldn't the divisions involved do a better job of coordinating?
Emergencies and the inevitable do happen, to be sure. Different departments have their specialized missions and priorities.They develop a tunnel vision and practices to meet their own goals. Gas or water lines break, and there's nothing to do but dig up a perfectly nice street.
The frustration some of us have with government is that more often than they should, legislation, priorities and practices work at cross-purposes, one set of laws or practices subverting the very goals government sets itself to accomplish.
More often than not, it is possible to live with the impact of the contradictions and conflicts at no great disadvantage. A needlessly bumpy street, for instance, may be a minor annoyance. It may represent a waste of effort and funds and signal a need to improve scheduling. It may offer an opportunity to rail against a public figure or two or even be an occasion for a joke ("watch your tax dollars at work!"), but it does not reduce a person's opportunities for a decent life.
The results are not benign, however, when intelligence agencies work at cross-purposes. As experience has shown, thousands of people die when that happens. And the results are not benign, either, when policies intended to put abandoned, abused and neglected children into adoptive families become barriers themselves, undermining the goal.
The Public Children Services Association of Ohio has just released an update of the factbook it has published every other year for the past 14 years. The county-by-county profiles offer encouragement about the progress Ohio is making in protecting children from abusive households. Statewide, the number of children in the custody of child welfare agencies has declined, as has the number waiting for adoption. But the publication also exposes holes in the protective services, the unintended results of conflicting policy priorities that undercut the stated goals.
Case in point: an emphasis in federal funding that favors foster care when research indicates the most effective approach is to work with families to prevent the need for foster care in the first place. Everyone understands that foster care is a temporary solution and that the best environment for children is a stable and loving family life with their parents. Failing that, adoption by an interested relative or concerned person is the next best answer.
Prevention isn't our strongest suit. As in other areas of public policy, services that would help prevent or reduce the need for foster care in the first place receive little more than lip service while the bulk of funding supports the stop-gap options.
Child-welfare advocates observe the skewed emphasis in federal funding, more of which is directed toward placing children in foster care than providing incentives to support relatives who adopt family members and give them permanent homes. Further, once adoptions are finalized, whether they are kin or not, families receive few support services such as counseling, respite care, tutoring and assistance in the home for children with special needs.
When policies intended to give children a chance at family stability instead create disincentives to adoption, children lose opportunities for better lives.
Boy returned to his biological mother, dies
4-year-old boy's death a mystery
Autopsy today
Desker, Theodore. Columbus Dispatch, March 9, 2007, pg. B6.
An autopsy today should give police a better idea of what killed a 4-year-old North Linden boy yesterday.
Medics found Antwan E. Bowman Jr. in cardiac arrest when they arrived at 10:12 a.m. at his home at 1603 Briarwood Ave., just west of Cleveland Avenue.
He was taken to Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:23 a.m.
Neighbor Makeda Naeem said she could tell by the frantic actions of the medics that the situation was dire.
"I knew that baby was dead when they brought him out," she said.
Family members said the boy and his four siblings lived with their mother, Monica Dumas, 31, and her boyfriend at the house. Dumas was home at the time and called for help.
Relatives of the child's father, who does not live with Dumas, alleged that the children were being mistreated, leading to the intervention of Franklin County Children Services last year.
The agency confirmed its involvement with the family but said it stemmed from a lack of supervision by Dumas, not evidence of physical abuse.
Four of Dumas' five children were taken from the home in April 2006 and placed first in foster care and then with relatives. They were returned to Dumas on Feb. 23, said agency Executive Director Eric Fenner. Dumas' oldest child had remained with her, Fenner said.
Homicide detectives said they didn't know whether foul play was involved. No one was charged yesterday in connection with the death, they said.
"We don't know why this child died," detective James McCoskey said. "The doctors at Children's don't either."
Neighbors, friends and family said Antwan was a cheery boy who would rove the block asking for food.
Dumas worked at a McDonald's and more recently a Giant Eagle, residents said.
Alicia White, a friend of the Bowman family, said she often went shopping with Antwan's aunt and the boy.
"He was a fun kid that, you know, anybody would want to baby-sit him," White said. "He would just bust out and sing a song."
Fenner said his agency was still involved with the family when the death occurred and that Dumas has seemed sincere in her attempts to improve her parenting.
A caseworker visited the family last on Feb. 26, and all seemed fine, he said.
Great-grandfather William Bowman said a burn that Antwan suffered on his arm last year first prompted the agency's involvement.
"The mother wasn't taking care of them," Bowman said. "Why did they give that boy back?"
"That burn was the result of that lack of supervision," Fenner said. "It was not the result of an intentional act on the part of the parent."
Dumas' other children were back with relatives yesterday, Fenner said.
Given Dumas' progress in the past year, he stood by the decision to return the children to the home.
"That was the appropriate action to take at that time," Fenner said.
Caption: Medics found Antwan E. Bowman Jr. in cardiac arrest when they arrived yesterday at his home in North Linden.
Autopsy today
Desker, Theodore. Columbus Dispatch, March 9, 2007, pg. B6.
An autopsy today should give police a better idea of what killed a 4-year-old North Linden boy yesterday.
Medics found Antwan E. Bowman Jr. in cardiac arrest when they arrived at 10:12 a.m. at his home at 1603 Briarwood Ave., just west of Cleveland Avenue.
He was taken to Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:23 a.m.
Neighbor Makeda Naeem said she could tell by the frantic actions of the medics that the situation was dire.
"I knew that baby was dead when they brought him out," she said.
Family members said the boy and his four siblings lived with their mother, Monica Dumas, 31, and her boyfriend at the house. Dumas was home at the time and called for help.
Relatives of the child's father, who does not live with Dumas, alleged that the children were being mistreated, leading to the intervention of Franklin County Children Services last year.
The agency confirmed its involvement with the family but said it stemmed from a lack of supervision by Dumas, not evidence of physical abuse.
Four of Dumas' five children were taken from the home in April 2006 and placed first in foster care and then with relatives. They were returned to Dumas on Feb. 23, said agency Executive Director Eric Fenner. Dumas' oldest child had remained with her, Fenner said.
Homicide detectives said they didn't know whether foul play was involved. No one was charged yesterday in connection with the death, they said.
"We don't know why this child died," detective James McCoskey said. "The doctors at Children's don't either."
Neighbors, friends and family said Antwan was a cheery boy who would rove the block asking for food.
Dumas worked at a McDonald's and more recently a Giant Eagle, residents said.
Alicia White, a friend of the Bowman family, said she often went shopping with Antwan's aunt and the boy.
"He was a fun kid that, you know, anybody would want to baby-sit him," White said. "He would just bust out and sing a song."
Fenner said his agency was still involved with the family when the death occurred and that Dumas has seemed sincere in her attempts to improve her parenting.
A caseworker visited the family last on Feb. 26, and all seemed fine, he said.
Great-grandfather William Bowman said a burn that Antwan suffered on his arm last year first prompted the agency's involvement.
"The mother wasn't taking care of them," Bowman said. "Why did they give that boy back?"
"That burn was the result of that lack of supervision," Fenner said. "It was not the result of an intentional act on the part of the parent."
Dumas' other children were back with relatives yesterday, Fenner said.
Given Dumas' progress in the past year, he stood by the decision to return the children to the home.
"That was the appropriate action to take at that time," Fenner said.
Caption: Medics found Antwan E. Bowman Jr. in cardiac arrest when they arrived yesterday at his home in North Linden.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Working out the details of how notification system will work
Background checks turn up Ohio foster parent arrests
Child's death spurred closer look at system
Lexington Herald-Leader, March 5, 2007, pg. B3.
CINCINNATI -- One foster parent served nine days in jail for receiving stolen property and was ordered into a drug treatment program. Another was accused of pulling a knife on someone and was sentenced to a year's probation and ordered to take anger-management classes.
Yet they continued to care for foster children, officials said.Just halfway through background checks of Hamilton County's foster parents, officials discovered 27 licensed foster parents with arrests on charges including welfare fraud, assault and domestic violence -- and even one for child endangering. They had gone unnoticed because eventual convictions, if any, weren't felonies that would require removal of the child.
The review was prompted by the case of 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel, who died while in foster care in neighboring Clermont County. County officials are creating a system that would send an alert to child welfare investigators every time a criminal charge against a foster parent is entered in court clerk computers.
The developmentally disabled boy, originally from Hamilton County, was left wrapped in a blanket and packing tape in a closet for two days while his foster parents went to a family reunion in Kentucky in August. He was dead when his foster parents, Liz Carroll and David Carroll Jr., returned home.
Liz Carroll was convicted of murder and David Carroll pleaded guilty to murder last month. It was only after the boy's death that authorities discovered David Carroll had an arrest on a domestic violence charge that had gone undetected because of infrequent background checks.
The Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services has refreshed background checks on 304 parents licensed through the county. An additional 445 licensed through private agencies still have to be reviewed, but infighting between the the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and county officials has stalled the process, said clerk of courts Greg Hartmann.
In most of the 27 cases, the charges were dismissed or reduced to lesser charges that would allow the foster parents to continue caring for children. Hartmann released the list of arrests but not the foster parents' names, citing privacy laws. Under state law, convictions on some felony charges preclude applicants from becoming foster parents.
Still, child welfare officials can review the fitness of parents case by case, said County Commissioner Pat DeWine.
In one instance, a foster father was accused of leaving two children in a car in 93-degree heat while he went shopping. A child endangering charge was reduced to inducing panic, and he was ordered to complete probation and attend parenting classes.
"You would think somebody at JFS would say he should not have a child," DeWine said.
Job and Family Services Director Rick Roberts said his office was checking to make sure the arrest reports were accurate before deciding whether to remove children from the homes.
DeWine and Hartmann complained that JFS's refusal to release the names of foster parents overseen by private agencies is holding up the checks and creation of the alert system.
"This is very frustrating," Hartmann said. "It's not my information. I can only deal with what they are willing to give me."
JFS supports the notification system, but it also must ensure it acts appropriately toward foster parents, Roberts said. New foster parents must submit to the checks and enroll in the system, but the county needs permission before adding the existing foster parents.
The two sides are scheduled to meet today to work out details of how the notification system should work.
"We are committed to this. We are not dragging our feet," Roberts said. "I know it sounds like bureaucratic red tape, but I'm trying to protect the rights of everyone involved, including the county. We're trying to do everything we can for children."
Child's death spurred closer look at system
Lexington Herald-Leader, March 5, 2007, pg. B3.
CINCINNATI -- One foster parent served nine days in jail for receiving stolen property and was ordered into a drug treatment program. Another was accused of pulling a knife on someone and was sentenced to a year's probation and ordered to take anger-management classes.
Yet they continued to care for foster children, officials said.Just halfway through background checks of Hamilton County's foster parents, officials discovered 27 licensed foster parents with arrests on charges including welfare fraud, assault and domestic violence -- and even one for child endangering. They had gone unnoticed because eventual convictions, if any, weren't felonies that would require removal of the child.
The review was prompted by the case of 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel, who died while in foster care in neighboring Clermont County. County officials are creating a system that would send an alert to child welfare investigators every time a criminal charge against a foster parent is entered in court clerk computers.
The developmentally disabled boy, originally from Hamilton County, was left wrapped in a blanket and packing tape in a closet for two days while his foster parents went to a family reunion in Kentucky in August. He was dead when his foster parents, Liz Carroll and David Carroll Jr., returned home.
Liz Carroll was convicted of murder and David Carroll pleaded guilty to murder last month. It was only after the boy's death that authorities discovered David Carroll had an arrest on a domestic violence charge that had gone undetected because of infrequent background checks.
The Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services has refreshed background checks on 304 parents licensed through the county. An additional 445 licensed through private agencies still have to be reviewed, but infighting between the the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and county officials has stalled the process, said clerk of courts Greg Hartmann.
In most of the 27 cases, the charges were dismissed or reduced to lesser charges that would allow the foster parents to continue caring for children. Hartmann released the list of arrests but not the foster parents' names, citing privacy laws. Under state law, convictions on some felony charges preclude applicants from becoming foster parents.
Still, child welfare officials can review the fitness of parents case by case, said County Commissioner Pat DeWine.
In one instance, a foster father was accused of leaving two children in a car in 93-degree heat while he went shopping. A child endangering charge was reduced to inducing panic, and he was ordered to complete probation and attend parenting classes.
"You would think somebody at JFS would say he should not have a child," DeWine said.
Job and Family Services Director Rick Roberts said his office was checking to make sure the arrest reports were accurate before deciding whether to remove children from the homes.
DeWine and Hartmann complained that JFS's refusal to release the names of foster parents overseen by private agencies is holding up the checks and creation of the alert system.
"This is very frustrating," Hartmann said. "It's not my information. I can only deal with what they are willing to give me."
JFS supports the notification system, but it also must ensure it acts appropriately toward foster parents, Roberts said. New foster parents must submit to the checks and enroll in the system, but the county needs permission before adding the existing foster parents.
The two sides are scheduled to meet today to work out details of how the notification system should work.
"We are committed to this. We are not dragging our feet," Roberts said. "I know it sounds like bureaucratic red tape, but I'm trying to protect the rights of everyone involved, including the county. We're trying to do everything we can for children."
Deficit of foster parents shouldn't mean housing children with criminals
Foster parents get ultimatum
Allow background checks or lose children, agency orders
Coolidge, Sharon. Cincinnati Enquirer, March 6, 2007, pg. A1.
Within 30 days all foster parents in Hamilton County must agree to ongoing background checks - or children will be removed from their homes, Hamilton County's top foster care official said Monday.
His comments came a day after two county officials attacked his agency for bureaucratic foot-dragging in making sure all foster parents had ongoing criminal background checks.
At a morning meeting with county commissioners, Rick Roberts, director of the county's Job and Family Services, also revealed that:
His agency was unaware of six of the 27 arrests discovered in a background check by Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Greg Hartmann. Those six arrests did not result in convictions and thus were not caught by the department's background check, which looks only at convictions, he said.
Of the 27 foster parents arrested, 16 are under investigation by his department - and may lose their foster children.
An ombudsman position with independent oversight will be created.
Foster mother Danita Atwood, 43, of Springfield Township said she's in favor of the background checks - and signed her consent form the day it arrived.
"The bottom line is when you decide you're going to take on the responsibility of foster care, from the time you put in the application, your life is put under a microscope," said Atwood, who has adopted two foster children placed with her.
The county's announcements came at a Monday morning meeting among Hamilton County commissioners, Roberts and Hartmann.
Hartmann, along with Hamilton County Commissioner Pat DeWine - both Republicans - had revealed last week that JFS was allowing background checks only of foster parents licensed through the county - and not of foster parents licensed through private agencies.
They questioned why children were permitted to live with some of the parents, one of whom was arrested on a charge of child endangering.
There are 750 foster children in Hamilton County. There are 410 foster parents licensed through the county, caring for 305 children. The other 445 children are cared for by foster parents licensed through private agencies. JFS could not say Monday how many parents are licensed through private agencies.
Of the county-controlled foster parents, 106 have not been checked. Of the privately licensed parents, none have been checked. Consent forms are still coming in, according to JFS.
An agreement between Hartmann and JFS about how the checks will be done is expected to be signed Wednesday.
"We have a serious problem," Hartmann said. "We have to make sure we are not putting children in environments that jeopardize their health and safety."
Roberts said agency staff worked all weekend reviewing the 27 cases. The reviews were done by quality assurance employees who typically work outside the foster care program, Gregg said.
Roberts added it's his responsibility to make sure these children have homes and there is already a shortage of foster parents.
He promised to follow the rules, "despite any trauma the disruption might create for the child," Roberts said in the release. "We are unsure of the ramifications of this decision.
"We do know that we have a severe need for foster parents at this time and losing any foster parent from our 285-home network or from the private agencies that care for 445 of our children would put additional strain on the system."
Hartmann uncovered the arrests while implementing a criminal background check system that allows for immediate notification if a foster parent is arrested. It's believed to be the first of its kind in the state.
DeWine and Hartmann teamed up last fall to create the instant notification system after 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel died in foster care in Clermont County. Marcus' foster father had been arrested for domestic violence, a charge never seen by foster-care case workers because background checks were done only sporadically.
Although Marcus was placed in foster care by Butler County through a private agency, DeWine and Hartmann said they wanted to prevent the same thing from happening in Hamilton County.
The records, which do not list names, show 27 parents were arrested on charges of assault, domestic violence, receiving stolen property, menacing and welfare fraud, among other things.
In most cases, the charges were tossed out or reduced to less-serious charges. None of the convictions were on charges that would have prevented the person from being a foster parent under state guidelines.
New foster parents don't get a choice. Being entered in the instant notification system is a requirement.
A letter is being sent notifying everyone of the 30-day deadline.
In the past, convictions were checked once a year. After Marcus' death there was a proposal to conduct quarterly checks. But that was put aside in favor of the instant notification process, Roberts said.
Felony convictions such as murder, assault and sex crimes preclude people from becoming foster parents in Ohio, according to state law.
How instant notification works
The instant notification system is designed to catch arrests immediately. The system, designed by employees at the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Office, where criminal records are kept, provides alerts of potential problems with foster parents and their homes.
In addition to the most serious crimes, the system includes information on domestic violence, low-level drug citations and stalking orders not included in the information JFS uses to evaluate foster homes.
Foster parents' names are kept in the system. Then, if a parent is arrested or otherwise comes into contact with the criminal justice system, notification will be sent to JFS.
Allow background checks or lose children, agency orders
Coolidge, Sharon. Cincinnati Enquirer, March 6, 2007, pg. A1.
Within 30 days all foster parents in Hamilton County must agree to ongoing background checks - or children will be removed from their homes, Hamilton County's top foster care official said Monday.
His comments came a day after two county officials attacked his agency for bureaucratic foot-dragging in making sure all foster parents had ongoing criminal background checks.
At a morning meeting with county commissioners, Rick Roberts, director of the county's Job and Family Services, also revealed that:
His agency was unaware of six of the 27 arrests discovered in a background check by Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Greg Hartmann. Those six arrests did not result in convictions and thus were not caught by the department's background check, which looks only at convictions, he said.
Of the 27 foster parents arrested, 16 are under investigation by his department - and may lose their foster children.
An ombudsman position with independent oversight will be created.
Foster mother Danita Atwood, 43, of Springfield Township said she's in favor of the background checks - and signed her consent form the day it arrived.
"The bottom line is when you decide you're going to take on the responsibility of foster care, from the time you put in the application, your life is put under a microscope," said Atwood, who has adopted two foster children placed with her.
The county's announcements came at a Monday morning meeting among Hamilton County commissioners, Roberts and Hartmann.
Hartmann, along with Hamilton County Commissioner Pat DeWine - both Republicans - had revealed last week that JFS was allowing background checks only of foster parents licensed through the county - and not of foster parents licensed through private agencies.
They questioned why children were permitted to live with some of the parents, one of whom was arrested on a charge of child endangering.
There are 750 foster children in Hamilton County. There are 410 foster parents licensed through the county, caring for 305 children. The other 445 children are cared for by foster parents licensed through private agencies. JFS could not say Monday how many parents are licensed through private agencies.
Of the county-controlled foster parents, 106 have not been checked. Of the privately licensed parents, none have been checked. Consent forms are still coming in, according to JFS.
An agreement between Hartmann and JFS about how the checks will be done is expected to be signed Wednesday.
"We have a serious problem," Hartmann said. "We have to make sure we are not putting children in environments that jeopardize their health and safety."
Roberts said agency staff worked all weekend reviewing the 27 cases. The reviews were done by quality assurance employees who typically work outside the foster care program, Gregg said.
Roberts added it's his responsibility to make sure these children have homes and there is already a shortage of foster parents.
He promised to follow the rules, "despite any trauma the disruption might create for the child," Roberts said in the release. "We are unsure of the ramifications of this decision.
"We do know that we have a severe need for foster parents at this time and losing any foster parent from our 285-home network or from the private agencies that care for 445 of our children would put additional strain on the system."
Hartmann uncovered the arrests while implementing a criminal background check system that allows for immediate notification if a foster parent is arrested. It's believed to be the first of its kind in the state.
DeWine and Hartmann teamed up last fall to create the instant notification system after 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel died in foster care in Clermont County. Marcus' foster father had been arrested for domestic violence, a charge never seen by foster-care case workers because background checks were done only sporadically.
Although Marcus was placed in foster care by Butler County through a private agency, DeWine and Hartmann said they wanted to prevent the same thing from happening in Hamilton County.
The records, which do not list names, show 27 parents were arrested on charges of assault, domestic violence, receiving stolen property, menacing and welfare fraud, among other things.
In most cases, the charges were tossed out or reduced to less-serious charges. None of the convictions were on charges that would have prevented the person from being a foster parent under state guidelines.
New foster parents don't get a choice. Being entered in the instant notification system is a requirement.
A letter is being sent notifying everyone of the 30-day deadline.
In the past, convictions were checked once a year. After Marcus' death there was a proposal to conduct quarterly checks. But that was put aside in favor of the instant notification process, Roberts said.
Felony convictions such as murder, assault and sex crimes preclude people from becoming foster parents in Ohio, according to state law.
How instant notification works
The instant notification system is designed to catch arrests immediately. The system, designed by employees at the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Office, where criminal records are kept, provides alerts of potential problems with foster parents and their homes.
In addition to the most serious crimes, the system includes information on domestic violence, low-level drug citations and stalking orders not included in the information JFS uses to evaluate foster homes.
Foster parents' names are kept in the system. Then, if a parent is arrested or otherwise comes into contact with the criminal justice system, notification will be sent to JFS.
Ohio hoarding money rather than giving it to kinship care providers
Caregivers want money set aside for them
Suchetka, Diane. Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 6, 2007, pg. B1.
Lucy Napper is embarrassed that Ohio is sitting on millions of dollars that lawmakers set aside to help grandparents like her - grandparents who are raising their grandchildren, keeping them out of foster care and saving taxpayers millions more as a result."I've listened to the financial figures, and I'm almost ashamed," Napper told 45 people gathered at a forum on the subject held Monday in Cleveland.
"I'm almost ashamed to say I live in a country with people living in the situation we're living in. Grandparents should not have to go through what we're going through to take care of our grandchildren. You would think we were talking about people in Haiti."
Napper was one of four Cleveland-area grandmothers who explained how they have been hurt by a program set up to help them.
Their audience included two state lawmakers: Sen. Dale Miller and Rep. Michael DeBose. Both said the program needs improvements.
The forum at Myers University, sponsored by the Cleveland office of the Children's Defense Fund of Ohio, marked the relaunching of an effort to persuade the state to spend more of the $20 million that lawmakers designated for low-income grandparents, aunts, uncles and others who are raising their relatives' children.
Why can't these kinship caregivers, as they're called, get money to help raise children when unrelated foster parents - no matter how wealthy - can? That's what the grandmothers who spoke Monday wanted to know.
"I go to four food lines a month to feed my grandchildren," said Loretta Hunter, who has been raising six grandchildren. "I shouldn't have to do that. Why can't they give us the same amount they're giving foster parents? We're doing the same job."
In September, The Plain Dealer reported that the state had set aside $10 million to help low-income grandparents, aunts and uncles raise their grandchildren, nieces and nephews. But it had spent only $608,500 - about 6 percent - of that money.
Another $10 million became available last July. As of last month, about $2 million of that had been disbursed, according to state officials.
Those officials say the program is just getting started and that more money will be spent as it matures.
But some officials worry that a program with unspent money won't be funded again.
Jim McCafferty, director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services, is one of those. He continues to criticize the state for not giving that money to the poor families it was intended for, especially since foster parents in Cuyahoga County who have no relationship to the children they are caring for get about $600 a month per child. And they get that no matter how wealthy they are.
"I think the Kinship Incentive Program is extremely inadequate," McCafferty said at Monday's meeting, "and it should be abolished. I believe we can do better."
So does the Rev. Mylion Waite, senior manager of the Cleveland office of the Children's Defense Fund, who convened the meeting.
She said her group will carry the discussion across the state and continue to lobby lawmakers so more money gets to kinship caregivers.
"We want to push them to make some changes to a very, very poor public policy," she said.
Suchetka, Diane. Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 6, 2007, pg. B1.
Lucy Napper is embarrassed that Ohio is sitting on millions of dollars that lawmakers set aside to help grandparents like her - grandparents who are raising their grandchildren, keeping them out of foster care and saving taxpayers millions more as a result."I've listened to the financial figures, and I'm almost ashamed," Napper told 45 people gathered at a forum on the subject held Monday in Cleveland.
"I'm almost ashamed to say I live in a country with people living in the situation we're living in. Grandparents should not have to go through what we're going through to take care of our grandchildren. You would think we were talking about people in Haiti."
Napper was one of four Cleveland-area grandmothers who explained how they have been hurt by a program set up to help them.
Their audience included two state lawmakers: Sen. Dale Miller and Rep. Michael DeBose. Both said the program needs improvements.
The forum at Myers University, sponsored by the Cleveland office of the Children's Defense Fund of Ohio, marked the relaunching of an effort to persuade the state to spend more of the $20 million that lawmakers designated for low-income grandparents, aunts, uncles and others who are raising their relatives' children.
Why can't these kinship caregivers, as they're called, get money to help raise children when unrelated foster parents - no matter how wealthy - can? That's what the grandmothers who spoke Monday wanted to know.
"I go to four food lines a month to feed my grandchildren," said Loretta Hunter, who has been raising six grandchildren. "I shouldn't have to do that. Why can't they give us the same amount they're giving foster parents? We're doing the same job."
In September, The Plain Dealer reported that the state had set aside $10 million to help low-income grandparents, aunts and uncles raise their grandchildren, nieces and nephews. But it had spent only $608,500 - about 6 percent - of that money.
Another $10 million became available last July. As of last month, about $2 million of that had been disbursed, according to state officials.
Those officials say the program is just getting started and that more money will be spent as it matures.
But some officials worry that a program with unspent money won't be funded again.
Jim McCafferty, director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services, is one of those. He continues to criticize the state for not giving that money to the poor families it was intended for, especially since foster parents in Cuyahoga County who have no relationship to the children they are caring for get about $600 a month per child. And they get that no matter how wealthy they are.
"I think the Kinship Incentive Program is extremely inadequate," McCafferty said at Monday's meeting, "and it should be abolished. I believe we can do better."
So does the Rev. Mylion Waite, senior manager of the Cleveland office of the Children's Defense Fund, who convened the meeting.
She said her group will carry the discussion across the state and continue to lobby lawmakers so more money gets to kinship caregivers.
"We want to push them to make some changes to a very, very poor public policy," she said.
Elaine Thompson was no expert, and gave bad counsel
Caged kids' caretakers got bad advice
Fisher, Ann. Columbus Dispatch, Feb. 28, 2007, pg. E1.
We all should know by now that it's against the law to cage our children, even if we swear they deserve it and we find a social worker who happens to agree.
That last part -- the quest for a social worker -- might be the key to the downfall of Sharen and Michael Gravelle.
Each was sentenced to two years in prison for forcing some of their 11 adopted special-needs children to sleep in cages.
They are free on bond while appealing their convictions but have lost custody of their children.
The independent social worker hired by the Huron County couple to advise them pleaded guilty last week to not reporting a crime in the case. She failed the parents and their children.
The Gravelles found social worker Elaine Thompson on the Web page of Nancy Thomas Parenting, a site devoted to parents of children who have reactive attachment disorder. The disorder often is associated with fetal alcohol syndrome, which had been diagnosed in some of the Gravelle children.
But no way, no how, Thomas told me yesterday, has caging ever been a recommended management tool.
"It's bizarre, absolutely bizarre," she said from her office in Glenwood Springs, Colo. "To have 11 children together in two bedrooms is totally inappropriate."
Yet a therapist listed on her site approved the tactic, which only goes to show that relying on one such source is unwise.
There are alternatives, which can begin at the reference desk of the Columbus Metropolitan Library. When I called in the vaguest quest for finding a social worker, the reference librarian suggested Firstlink.
And that made so much sense. The motto at the clearinghouse for central Ohio social services is "Give help, get help, 2-1-1," which is the telephone number.
Firstlink typically refers callers to an agency that can help.
Another first step is the Web site for the Ohio Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, which links to the national site's social-worker search engine. Click on "Resources" and look for "Find a clinical social worker." Fill out the form, and you're on your way.
Unfortunately, most folks are in crisis by the time they seek a social worker, said C. Elaine Stepp, executive director of the Ohio chapter.
And there are so many from which to choose, in nearly 50 disciplines. Many folks don't even know they need a social worker, just that they need something.
In Ohio, 20,560 licensed social workers are on the job. That number doesn't include counselors and therapists.
Stepp recommends assuming that whatever the profession, dog catcher to brain surgeon, "20 percent will be excellent, another 20 percent will be rotten, and there will be the 60 percent in the middle."
Another reliable first step also is a mouthful: the Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board, the licensing agency in Ohio. The board won't refer or recommend, but it will put you in touch with agencies that will.
Surely, the Gravelles' circumstances were unusual. I've had all the knee-jerk reactions that most people have had, trying to understand what in the world they were thinking.
I credit them for seeking help in 2000. But they stopped short when they simply found someone to validate their methods.
Ann Fisher is a Dispatch Metro columnist. She can be reached at 614-461-8759 or by e-mail.
Fisher, Ann. Columbus Dispatch, Feb. 28, 2007, pg. E1.
We all should know by now that it's against the law to cage our children, even if we swear they deserve it and we find a social worker who happens to agree.
That last part -- the quest for a social worker -- might be the key to the downfall of Sharen and Michael Gravelle.
Each was sentenced to two years in prison for forcing some of their 11 adopted special-needs children to sleep in cages.
They are free on bond while appealing their convictions but have lost custody of their children.
The independent social worker hired by the Huron County couple to advise them pleaded guilty last week to not reporting a crime in the case. She failed the parents and their children.
The Gravelles found social worker Elaine Thompson on the Web page of Nancy Thomas Parenting, a site devoted to parents of children who have reactive attachment disorder. The disorder often is associated with fetal alcohol syndrome, which had been diagnosed in some of the Gravelle children.
But no way, no how, Thomas told me yesterday, has caging ever been a recommended management tool.
"It's bizarre, absolutely bizarre," she said from her office in Glenwood Springs, Colo. "To have 11 children together in two bedrooms is totally inappropriate."
Yet a therapist listed on her site approved the tactic, which only goes to show that relying on one such source is unwise.
There are alternatives, which can begin at the reference desk of the Columbus Metropolitan Library. When I called in the vaguest quest for finding a social worker, the reference librarian suggested Firstlink.
And that made so much sense. The motto at the clearinghouse for central Ohio social services is "Give help, get help, 2-1-1," which is the telephone number.
Firstlink typically refers callers to an agency that can help.
Another first step is the Web site for the Ohio Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, which links to the national site's social-worker search engine. Click on "Resources" and look for "Find a clinical social worker." Fill out the form, and you're on your way.
Unfortunately, most folks are in crisis by the time they seek a social worker, said C. Elaine Stepp, executive director of the Ohio chapter.
And there are so many from which to choose, in nearly 50 disciplines. Many folks don't even know they need a social worker, just that they need something.
In Ohio, 20,560 licensed social workers are on the job. That number doesn't include counselors and therapists.
Stepp recommends assuming that whatever the profession, dog catcher to brain surgeon, "20 percent will be excellent, another 20 percent will be rotten, and there will be the 60 percent in the middle."
Another reliable first step also is a mouthful: the Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board, the licensing agency in Ohio. The board won't refer or recommend, but it will put you in touch with agencies that will.
Surely, the Gravelles' circumstances were unusual. I've had all the knee-jerk reactions that most people have had, trying to understand what in the world they were thinking.
I credit them for seeking help in 2000. But they stopped short when they simply found someone to validate their methods.
Ann Fisher is a Dispatch Metro columnist. She can be reached at 614-461-8759 or by e-mail.
27 foster parent arrests
Check turns up 27 foster-parent arrests
Hamilton County officials not finished running records on all adults in program
Columbus Dispatch, March 5, 2007, pg. 3B.
A foster parent served nine days in jail for receiving stolen property and was ordered into a drug-treatment program. Another was accused of pulling a knife on someone and was sentenced to a year's probation and ordered to take anger-management classes.
Yet they continued to care for foster children, officials said.
Just halfway through background checks of Hamilton County's foster parents, officials discovered 27 licensed foster parents with arrests on charges including welfare fraud, assault and domestic violence -- and even one for child endangering. They had gone unnoticed because eventual convictions, if any, weren't felonies that would require removing the child.
The review was prompted by the death of 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel in neighboring Clermont County. County officials are creating a system that would send an alert to child-welfare investigators every time a criminal charge against a foster parent is entered in court computers.
The developmentally disabled boy, originally from Hamilton County, was left wrapped in a blanket and tape in a closet for two days while his foster parents went to a family reunion in Kentucky in August. He was dead when his foster parents, Liz Carroll and David Carroll Jr., returned home.
Liz Carroll was convicted of murder and David Carroll pleaded guilty to murder last month. It was only after the boy's death that authorities discovered David Carroll had an arrest on a domestic-violence charge that had gone undetected because of infrequent background checks.
The Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services has refreshed background checks on 304 parents licensed through the county. Another 445 licensed through private agencies still have to be reviewed, but infighting between the department and county officials has stalled the process, clerk of courts Greg Hartmann said.
In most of the 27 cases, the charges were dismissed or reduced to lesser charges that would allow the foster parents to continue caring for children. Hartmann released the list of arrests but not the foster parents' names, citing privacy laws. Under state law, convictions on some felony charges preclude applicants from becoming foster parents.
Still, child-welfare officials can review the fitness of parents case by case, County Commissioner Pat DeWine said.
In one instance, a foster father was accused of leaving two children in a car in 93-degree heat while he went shopping. A child-endangering charge was reduced to inducing panic.
"You would think somebody at (the department) would say he should not have a child," DeWine said.
Job and Family Services Director Rick Roberts said his office was checking to make sure the arrest reports were accurate before deciding whether to remove children from the homes.
DeWine and Hartmann complained that the department's refusal to release the names of foster parents overseen by private agencies is holding up the checks and creation of the alert system.
"This is very frustrating," Hartmann said. "It's not my information. I can only deal with what they are willing to give me."
The department supports the notification system, but it also must ensure it acts appropriately toward foster parents, Roberts said. New foster parents must submit to the checks and enroll in the system, but the county needs permission before adding the existing foster parents.
The two sides are scheduled to meet today to work out details of how the notification system should work.
"We are committed to this. We are not dragging our feet," Roberts said.
"I know it sounds like bureaucratic red tape, but I'm trying to protect the rights of everyone involved, including the county. We're trying to do everything we can for children."
Caption: Liz Carroll was found guilty of murder in the death of foster child Marcus Fiesel. After that verdict, her husband, David Carroll Jr., right, pleaded guilty.
Hamilton County officials not finished running records on all adults in program
Columbus Dispatch, March 5, 2007, pg. 3B.
A foster parent served nine days in jail for receiving stolen property and was ordered into a drug-treatment program. Another was accused of pulling a knife on someone and was sentenced to a year's probation and ordered to take anger-management classes.
Yet they continued to care for foster children, officials said.
Just halfway through background checks of Hamilton County's foster parents, officials discovered 27 licensed foster parents with arrests on charges including welfare fraud, assault and domestic violence -- and even one for child endangering. They had gone unnoticed because eventual convictions, if any, weren't felonies that would require removing the child.
The review was prompted by the death of 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel in neighboring Clermont County. County officials are creating a system that would send an alert to child-welfare investigators every time a criminal charge against a foster parent is entered in court computers.
The developmentally disabled boy, originally from Hamilton County, was left wrapped in a blanket and tape in a closet for two days while his foster parents went to a family reunion in Kentucky in August. He was dead when his foster parents, Liz Carroll and David Carroll Jr., returned home.
Liz Carroll was convicted of murder and David Carroll pleaded guilty to murder last month. It was only after the boy's death that authorities discovered David Carroll had an arrest on a domestic-violence charge that had gone undetected because of infrequent background checks.
The Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services has refreshed background checks on 304 parents licensed through the county. Another 445 licensed through private agencies still have to be reviewed, but infighting between the department and county officials has stalled the process, clerk of courts Greg Hartmann said.
In most of the 27 cases, the charges were dismissed or reduced to lesser charges that would allow the foster parents to continue caring for children. Hartmann released the list of arrests but not the foster parents' names, citing privacy laws. Under state law, convictions on some felony charges preclude applicants from becoming foster parents.
Still, child-welfare officials can review the fitness of parents case by case, County Commissioner Pat DeWine said.
In one instance, a foster father was accused of leaving two children in a car in 93-degree heat while he went shopping. A child-endangering charge was reduced to inducing panic.
"You would think somebody at (the department) would say he should not have a child," DeWine said.
Job and Family Services Director Rick Roberts said his office was checking to make sure the arrest reports were accurate before deciding whether to remove children from the homes.
DeWine and Hartmann complained that the department's refusal to release the names of foster parents overseen by private agencies is holding up the checks and creation of the alert system.
"This is very frustrating," Hartmann said. "It's not my information. I can only deal with what they are willing to give me."
The department supports the notification system, but it also must ensure it acts appropriately toward foster parents, Roberts said. New foster parents must submit to the checks and enroll in the system, but the county needs permission before adding the existing foster parents.
The two sides are scheduled to meet today to work out details of how the notification system should work.
"We are committed to this. We are not dragging our feet," Roberts said.
"I know it sounds like bureaucratic red tape, but I'm trying to protect the rights of everyone involved, including the county. We're trying to do everything we can for children."
Caption: Liz Carroll was found guilty of murder in the death of foster child Marcus Fiesel. After that verdict, her husband, David Carroll Jr., right, pleaded guilty.
Single woman chooses foster care, rather than husband
No Mr. in the picture
By choice or chance, a majority of women in Columbus don't have a husband
Williams, Sherri. Columbus Dispatch, Feb. 25, 2007, pg. A1.
For Sherrie Key, the single life is brand new at age 62.
She went basically from her parents' home to her marriage home, where she stayed for 23 years until her husband, Brian Key, died in 1991.
Key, who works in the purchasing department at Worthington Industries, raised the couple's sons after her husband's death and later lived with one of them for years.
It wasn't until last year that she moved into her own apartment after decades of being surrounded by the voices of children.
"It's really something different," Key said. "But I love it. You can go till you want to go. ... There are perks of being alone which I never realized."
Key of the Far North Side is among the majority of women in Columbus, 53 percent, between the ages of 20 and 74 living without a husband in their home, according to U.S. census data. Nationally, 42 percent of women in the same age group are living without husbands.
Whether single by choice or chance, women are adapting to living without spouses even though some want to marry, said Melinda Swan, chief operating officer of the YWCA Columbus.
They are saying, "This is my lifestyle, and I want to make the best of it and contribute to the community," Swan said.
Columbus' rate of women living without spouses might be higher than the national rate because of the large number of professional women here, Swan said.
And women are surviving longer than men, getting married later and increasingly cohabitating with men, said Elizabeth Cooksey, an associate sociology professor at Ohio State University.
But the number of women reported living with men outside of marriage is small, according to census data. In Columbus, households of unmarried partners of the opposite sex account for nearly 7 percent of the city's households.
Columbus' college population also might slightly affect the city's rates.
For some, the absence of men is felt, especially for women with children.
"Sometimes they feel like they don't have anywhere to unwind," Swan said. "They feel stressed more than people realize."
For other women, affection takes a back seat while pursuing education and careers, said Zhenchao Qian, a sociology professor at Ohio State.
"They don't go to college for the purpose of finding spouses," he said. But they still value marriage.
"If you asked 90 percent of the women if they want to get married, they would say yes," Qian said. "Marriage and family are still very important. But they want to make sure certain things are there so they can get married."
As baby boomers age, the pool of women living without husbands should widen, and society needs to prepare a support system for them, he said.
Facing the world on her own
During the years she was raising 11 foster children and three adopted children, Key didn't have time to share with others.
Now, she delivers 120 meals a month as a Meals on Wheels volunteer, she's active at Northside Fellowship Church and has a network of support she didn't have when she was married.
"I have expanded my world from only relatives to a lot of friends," said Key, who is interested in obtaining a college degree.
Her husband has been dead 16 years, but she still misses his companionship and sharing her passion for NASCAR racing, dancing, movies and life.
Key has dated, but, "I just haven't met my prince," she said. "I don't care if he's on a white horse or not."
But until Prince Charming rides in on a horse or rolls by in a Mustang, Key plans to enjoy living life on her own.
"Being single means opening up the world to a lot more different things," she said. "It brings you out of your own little world."
From solo to duo
For a decade, Tiffany Sims, 32, played the dual roles of mother and father to her children and was not involved in a relationship.
"When you're alone, it seems like everybody else is together," she said. "I felt like everybody else was married before me. Turning 30 was hard. I was single."
Her loneliness was filled with the love and laughter of her children, Jordan, 13, and Tyesha, 10. But she still longed for a companion and a male role model for the children.
However, she was content being single. "It seemed like once I was OK with being single, that's when I met my fiance," said Sims of the Northeast Side.
Sims, a marketing director for a professional engineering firm, met Willy Gibson almost two years ago.
The two plan to marry in September.
Although marriage will mean the end of the independence of making decisions alone, Sims said, it also will mean the beginning of sharing experiences and responsibility.
"I'm looking forward to being that complete, whole family," she said.
A decade of living without a husband offered her lessons for her new life with one.
"Being single means you have to learn to love yourself," Sims said.
Single with sons
After 20 years of marriage, Cindy Bush, 46, decided that her life should take a new direction. But less than two years after her divorce, her faith in marriage is strong.
The mother of two and the executive managing director of eWomenNetwork said her life is full with her family and an exciting career. But a husband who is a collaborator would be "the icing on the cake."
The absence of a man has meant a decreased income and not having someone to do various chores. But a new support system of friends fills the void.
"Having friends and connections is really important," said Bush, of New Albany.
"You don't realize that when you're married. When you're married you focus on that relationship and family. Being single forces you to get out of that box."
Being a single mother and dating for the first time in two decades was different. Bush had the feelings of two other guys to consider: her sons, Bryan, 18, and Daniel, 15.
As she grows older, Bush thinks it won't be easy to find a husband, but it's possible.
"I know there is a man out there for me," she said. "He may be harder to find, but he's waiting."
Hitched to happiness
Two years ago, Jess Snell, 23, of Westerville, was looking at houses with her boyfriend and talking about marriage.
She had even heard from friends that he had bought a ring. But reality crushed the fairy-tale romance when Snell discovered he was cheating on her.
"It's really for the best," said Snell, who graduated from Otterbein College last year with a degree in speech communication and broadcasting. "I like my life now."
Dating is part of the carefree social life she leads with her two roommates. "We're not on the prowl. If the right guy comes along, then he does."
If Snell had stayed with her boyfriend, they possibly would have been married now.
"It freaks me out now to think that, because I've learned so much more about my life and the world," she said. "I think it's perfect to be single now.
"You're still learning and experiencing things."
By choice or chance, a majority of women in Columbus don't have a husband
Williams, Sherri. Columbus Dispatch, Feb. 25, 2007, pg. A1.
For Sherrie Key, the single life is brand new at age 62.
She went basically from her parents' home to her marriage home, where she stayed for 23 years until her husband, Brian Key, died in 1991.
Key, who works in the purchasing department at Worthington Industries, raised the couple's sons after her husband's death and later lived with one of them for years.
It wasn't until last year that she moved into her own apartment after decades of being surrounded by the voices of children.
"It's really something different," Key said. "But I love it. You can go till you want to go. ... There are perks of being alone which I never realized."
Key of the Far North Side is among the majority of women in Columbus, 53 percent, between the ages of 20 and 74 living without a husband in their home, according to U.S. census data. Nationally, 42 percent of women in the same age group are living without husbands.
Whether single by choice or chance, women are adapting to living without spouses even though some want to marry, said Melinda Swan, chief operating officer of the YWCA Columbus.
They are saying, "This is my lifestyle, and I want to make the best of it and contribute to the community," Swan said.
Columbus' rate of women living without spouses might be higher than the national rate because of the large number of professional women here, Swan said.
And women are surviving longer than men, getting married later and increasingly cohabitating with men, said Elizabeth Cooksey, an associate sociology professor at Ohio State University.
But the number of women reported living with men outside of marriage is small, according to census data. In Columbus, households of unmarried partners of the opposite sex account for nearly 7 percent of the city's households.
Columbus' college population also might slightly affect the city's rates.
For some, the absence of men is felt, especially for women with children.
"Sometimes they feel like they don't have anywhere to unwind," Swan said. "They feel stressed more than people realize."
For other women, affection takes a back seat while pursuing education and careers, said Zhenchao Qian, a sociology professor at Ohio State.
"They don't go to college for the purpose of finding spouses," he said. But they still value marriage.
"If you asked 90 percent of the women if they want to get married, they would say yes," Qian said. "Marriage and family are still very important. But they want to make sure certain things are there so they can get married."
As baby boomers age, the pool of women living without husbands should widen, and society needs to prepare a support system for them, he said.
Facing the world on her own
During the years she was raising 11 foster children and three adopted children, Key didn't have time to share with others.
Now, she delivers 120 meals a month as a Meals on Wheels volunteer, she's active at Northside Fellowship Church and has a network of support she didn't have when she was married.
"I have expanded my world from only relatives to a lot of friends," said Key, who is interested in obtaining a college degree.
Her husband has been dead 16 years, but she still misses his companionship and sharing her passion for NASCAR racing, dancing, movies and life.
Key has dated, but, "I just haven't met my prince," she said. "I don't care if he's on a white horse or not."
But until Prince Charming rides in on a horse or rolls by in a Mustang, Key plans to enjoy living life on her own.
"Being single means opening up the world to a lot more different things," she said. "It brings you out of your own little world."
From solo to duo
For a decade, Tiffany Sims, 32, played the dual roles of mother and father to her children and was not involved in a relationship.
"When you're alone, it seems like everybody else is together," she said. "I felt like everybody else was married before me. Turning 30 was hard. I was single."
Her loneliness was filled with the love and laughter of her children, Jordan, 13, and Tyesha, 10. But she still longed for a companion and a male role model for the children.
However, she was content being single. "It seemed like once I was OK with being single, that's when I met my fiance," said Sims of the Northeast Side.
Sims, a marketing director for a professional engineering firm, met Willy Gibson almost two years ago.
The two plan to marry in September.
Although marriage will mean the end of the independence of making decisions alone, Sims said, it also will mean the beginning of sharing experiences and responsibility.
"I'm looking forward to being that complete, whole family," she said.
A decade of living without a husband offered her lessons for her new life with one.
"Being single means you have to learn to love yourself," Sims said.
Single with sons
After 20 years of marriage, Cindy Bush, 46, decided that her life should take a new direction. But less than two years after her divorce, her faith in marriage is strong.
The mother of two and the executive managing director of eWomenNetwork said her life is full with her family and an exciting career. But a husband who is a collaborator would be "the icing on the cake."
The absence of a man has meant a decreased income and not having someone to do various chores. But a new support system of friends fills the void.
"Having friends and connections is really important," said Bush, of New Albany.
"You don't realize that when you're married. When you're married you focus on that relationship and family. Being single forces you to get out of that box."
Being a single mother and dating for the first time in two decades was different. Bush had the feelings of two other guys to consider: her sons, Bryan, 18, and Daniel, 15.
As she grows older, Bush thinks it won't be easy to find a husband, but it's possible.
"I know there is a man out there for me," she said. "He may be harder to find, but he's waiting."
Hitched to happiness
Two years ago, Jess Snell, 23, of Westerville, was looking at houses with her boyfriend and talking about marriage.
She had even heard from friends that he had bought a ring. But reality crushed the fairy-tale romance when Snell discovered he was cheating on her.
"It's really for the best," said Snell, who graduated from Otterbein College last year with a degree in speech communication and broadcasting. "I like my life now."
Dating is part of the carefree social life she leads with her two roommates. "We're not on the prowl. If the right guy comes along, then he does."
If Snell had stayed with her boyfriend, they possibly would have been married now.
"It freaks me out now to think that, because I've learned so much more about my life and the world," she said. "I think it's perfect to be single now.
"You're still learning and experiencing things."
Starvation isn't the answer to fear of diabetes
Licking County
Mom in starving case gets 4 years
Sheehan, Tom. Columbus Dispatch, March 6, 2007, pg. D1.
Moments after she pleaded guilty, apologized and received a four-year prison term, a Newark mother convicted of starving her mentally disabled teenage son finally broke down.
Mildred McMannis hung her head and softly cried as she sat shackled in chains next to her attorney in a Licking County courtroom yesterday.
Assistant County Prosecutor Dave Mallett earlier related a tale of months of abuse that included forcing her son, now 17, to live on a diet of canned green vegetables between March and August last year. By late August, the 5-foot-6-inch teen weighed only 76 pounds.
"He was found to be extremely malnourished and dehydrated," Mallett told Common Pleas Judge Jon Spahr.
The boy, Patrick Faller, has cerebral palsy and is mentally disabled. After Newark High School officials noticed his physical condition, Newark police began an investigation and arrested McMannis. Patrick now is in foster care and has gained more than 20 pounds.
His 40-year-old mother, who has diabetes, told authorities he had begun eating too much, such as 4 pounds of spaghetti at a meal, and become physically aggressive and combative. She said she put him on a restrictive diet because she didn't want him to become diabetic.
Police arrested McMannis in late August. A month later, a county grand jury indicted her on two counts of child endangering and one count of domestic violence. She has been in the county jail for the past 176 days in lieu of $500,000 bail. Yesterday, she pleaded guilty to one count of child endangering. The other two charges were dismissed.
"I love my son. I would not intentionally try to hurt him," McMannis told Spahr. "I hope I can be reunited with him soon and show him I am really sorry for what I did."
J. Tullis Rogers, McMannis' attorney, described a mother overwhelmed by financial, alcohol and other problems who tried her best to raise her son and two other children, who now also are in foster care. Her husband of 12 years is a long-distance truck driver and frequently away from home.
Chuck McMannis said after yesterday's hearing that he supports his wife and hopes she will be granted early release from prison after serving six months.
"I know Patrick loves her very much and she loves him," Mr. McMannis said.
The boy's father, Darrell Faller, said after the hearing that he is satisfied with the prison sentence and that he is trying to gain custody of his son. He last saw Patrick about two weeks ago and said he is doing very well.
Mildred McMannis pleaded guilty to child endangering.
Mom in starving case gets 4 years
Sheehan, Tom. Columbus Dispatch, March 6, 2007, pg. D1.
Moments after she pleaded guilty, apologized and received a four-year prison term, a Newark mother convicted of starving her mentally disabled teenage son finally broke down.
Mildred McMannis hung her head and softly cried as she sat shackled in chains next to her attorney in a Licking County courtroom yesterday.
Assistant County Prosecutor Dave Mallett earlier related a tale of months of abuse that included forcing her son, now 17, to live on a diet of canned green vegetables between March and August last year. By late August, the 5-foot-6-inch teen weighed only 76 pounds.
"He was found to be extremely malnourished and dehydrated," Mallett told Common Pleas Judge Jon Spahr.
The boy, Patrick Faller, has cerebral palsy and is mentally disabled. After Newark High School officials noticed his physical condition, Newark police began an investigation and arrested McMannis. Patrick now is in foster care and has gained more than 20 pounds.
His 40-year-old mother, who has diabetes, told authorities he had begun eating too much, such as 4 pounds of spaghetti at a meal, and become physically aggressive and combative. She said she put him on a restrictive diet because she didn't want him to become diabetic.
Police arrested McMannis in late August. A month later, a county grand jury indicted her on two counts of child endangering and one count of domestic violence. She has been in the county jail for the past 176 days in lieu of $500,000 bail. Yesterday, she pleaded guilty to one count of child endangering. The other two charges were dismissed.
"I love my son. I would not intentionally try to hurt him," McMannis told Spahr. "I hope I can be reunited with him soon and show him I am really sorry for what I did."
J. Tullis Rogers, McMannis' attorney, described a mother overwhelmed by financial, alcohol and other problems who tried her best to raise her son and two other children, who now also are in foster care. Her husband of 12 years is a long-distance truck driver and frequently away from home.
Chuck McMannis said after yesterday's hearing that he supports his wife and hopes she will be granted early release from prison after serving six months.
"I know Patrick loves her very much and she loves him," Mr. McMannis said.
The boy's father, Darrell Faller, said after the hearing that he is satisfied with the prison sentence and that he is trying to gain custody of his son. He last saw Patrick about two weeks ago and said he is doing very well.
Mildred McMannis pleaded guilty to child endangering.
11-month-old child beaten by his father
Bellafontaine
Logan County parents charged in beating of child
Columbus Dispatch, March 3, 2007, pg. D5.
The parents of a critically injured 11-month-old boy face hearings this month on felony charges stemming from the alleged beating of the child.
Michael B. Robinson, 43, and Sue Hutchins, 35, remained in the Logan County jail after appearing yesterday before Bellefontaine Municipal Judge John Ross.
Robinson, who is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, is to have a preliminary hearing Tuesday. He is charged with felonious assault, child endangering and domestic violence.
Hutchins is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail and has a preliminary hearing set for March 12. She is charged with permitting child abuse.
Dana Robinson remained in critical condition yesterday in Children's Hospital in Columbus. His father is accused of beating him and then calling 911 early Monday to report that the child was hurt.
"The baby is alive and has shown improvement," said Assistant County Prosecutor Eric Stewart. "They have said there will be disabilities."
Dana, who was hooked up to life-supporting tubes and hoses, is starting to breathe on his own, authorities said yesterday. The boy remains a ward of the county. Six other children, including three sons of Robinson's, have been placed with relatives or in foster care.
Logan County parents charged in beating of child
Columbus Dispatch, March 3, 2007, pg. D5.
The parents of a critically injured 11-month-old boy face hearings this month on felony charges stemming from the alleged beating of the child.
Michael B. Robinson, 43, and Sue Hutchins, 35, remained in the Logan County jail after appearing yesterday before Bellefontaine Municipal Judge John Ross.
Robinson, who is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, is to have a preliminary hearing Tuesday. He is charged with felonious assault, child endangering and domestic violence.
Hutchins is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail and has a preliminary hearing set for March 12. She is charged with permitting child abuse.
Dana Robinson remained in critical condition yesterday in Children's Hospital in Columbus. His father is accused of beating him and then calling 911 early Monday to report that the child was hurt.
"The baby is alive and has shown improvement," said Assistant County Prosecutor Eric Stewart. "They have said there will be disabilities."
Dana, who was hooked up to life-supporting tubes and hoses, is starting to breathe on his own, authorities said yesterday. The boy remains a ward of the county. Six other children, including three sons of Robinson's, have been placed with relatives or in foster care.
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