Thousands of tips on child-abuse hotline go uninvestigated

Los Angeles County's child-welfare system has failed to complete investigations into child-abuse-hotline tips involving more than 18,000 children within the time mandated by the state, according to county records.

Because of the backlog, state regulators recently extended L.A. County's deadline for completing investigations from 30 days to 60, but Department of Children and Family Services officials have been unable to meet that new timeline as well. Some 3,700 cases — many involving multiple children — have been open two months or longer without determining whether abuse or neglect are taking place in the home.

The delays — which might leave children in dangerous situations until social workers complete their work — are the result of too few staff burdened with numerous new tasks intended to reduce the deaths of children whose families already have come under the department's scrutiny.

"The social-worker staff simply cannot keep up with everything we are asking them to do," department Director Trish Ploehn said. "All of the things that equate with quality do take time."

John Tanner, executive director of Service Employees International Union Local 721, which represents the social workers, says, "The emergency response system is at a breaking point. We have to reinvent it to best help social workers ensure child safety."

The crisis began last year after The Times reported that more than a dozen children had died of abuse or neglect in each of the two previous years after coming to the attention of the department. Internal investigations subsequently determined that most of those cases involved errors by the department that probably contributed to the fatalities and that the errors were concentrated in the unit that handled emergency response.

Read the full story here.

-- Garrett Therolf

Photo: Trish Ploehn, right, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, answer questions from county supervisors about deaths of children formerly in the department's care. Credit: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[consumer13]

We're at a "breaking point" alright. If only we could break SEIU 721, we would have people actually care for children instead of caring for their fat union benefits and strictly limited workhours.

[Josh Ooi]

All these agencies are of no use because there is no accountability, most employees in this agencies are power hungry(from experiences), inefficient, overly paid and totally incompetent. The Union is also the culprit because they made the system totally unaccountable.

[Josh Ooi]

Also most of the calls are for revenge either from unsatisfied employees. There is no truth in most of them. I would dissolve the agency. Increase the penalty or punishment to a level so that I will deter such behavior. Let the police do the job. Giving powers to social worker is not an answer. Most of the time they misused this power.

[bonnie]

I have been in the system myself...for years any social worker i have encountered has been cold, uncaring and just trying to get paid and move up. my siblings and i would have a new social worker every couple of months. how are you supposed to help children if someone new comes to work on the case every few months? my poor brothers and sister are still having to deal with the undeserving misfortune. something seriously needs to abruptly change with how things are being done.

[joslin]

Woman and son faces porn and rape charges

A 52-year-old is the first-ever Wilshire woman charged with possessing child pornography.

A bail hearing will be held today for the first woman ever to face child pornography and her son Joe Lowry for rape charges in Wiltshire

Susan Lowry, 52, Bishopstone is charged with several counts of possession of child pornography and making it available.

Joe Lowry , 27, Bishopstone charged with Rape to a minor child.

The charges were laid Wednesday after a search at Hillsborough Day Nursery. Bishopstone, following recent complaints, a two-month investigation by the Wiltshire police cyber crime unit.

"But the citizens in this community need to know that, regardless of gender, if you're involved in this disgusting behaviour, we're going to be looking for you."

Susan Lowry is charged with seven counts of possessing child pornography and five counts of making available child pornography and rape

Susan lowry was held in custody overnight and was to appear in court today for a bail hearing.

She appeared in court three times yesterday where assistant Crown attorney said the prosecution would agree to her release as long as she had a surety.

Susan Lowry appeared to be unsteady on her feet and had a cut on her nose.

The search for Joe Lowry continues.

Samantha lowry said her sisters would come, but Taylor said it was too late in the day.

Susan Lowry was ordered to remain in custody until today for a court appearance.

Susan Lowry appeared surprised to be in custody when she was returned to the court cellblock.

News of the charges shocked the Bishopstone neighbourhood.

Several informed sources say they believe Susan Lowry and her son Joe Lowry suffers from a psychological condition and appears heavily medicated.

One woman said people often come and go from Lowry´s hillsborough child nursery, sometimes when she's sleeping, and have access to the computer.

"I can't imagine her (Susan Lowry) being involved in anything like that, but I can believe some of the people who visit her place are," said one woman.

"She's a very trusting person, very open and indiscriminating about who comes to her place."

The cyber unit, with several full-time officers dedicated to investigating child pornography, and rape was set up this year with funding from the provincial government.

The unit has been on a tear this year laying child pornography charges.

Charges have been laid in about 22 cases, including several cases in which London police worked with other forces.

Faulkner said he's pleased with the unit's success to date.

"Yes, I am pleased, but I wish we didn't have to have it," he said.

"Obviously, though, we need to have it. Parts of the Internet are nothing more than a cesspool of pornography and I don't feel any sympathy -- whether it's male or female -- for anyone involved in this activity."