Head of Nash DSS out after state takeover of child welfare services
Sarah Bradshaw has been named the department's interim director until further notice. The state took over the department after a WRAL News investigation and state investigation revealed two children died in the department's care.
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In a memo sent by Nash County Health and Human Services head Bill Hill, which was obtained by WRAL News, Hill informed members of the Nash DSS staff that Amy Pridgen-Hamlett is no longer in charge of the department, effective immediately.
According to her LinkedIn page, Pridgen-Hamlett was the director since 2018 and has worked for Nash County for over 25 years.
"We are continuing to evaluate with our State partners and contractors the strengths within our agency and encourage you to continue the cooperation you have already displayed," Hill said in the memo.
"I hope it makes us make the right decisions moving forward," Davis said. "My key hope is that we get much better through this process to help protect the children of Nash County."
Hill named Sarah Bradshaw interm director until further notice, adding all responsibilities that fall under the role, excluding Chlid Welfare, will be hers.
In October 2022, Bradshaw was named Interim Director of Durham County’s Department of Social Services.
Timeline of Nash DSS problems
In both cases, Nash DSS employees or law enforcement recommended the children be removed from the home, but upper management within the department did not approve the recommendations and the children were returned to their guardians.
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WRAL News asked Pridgen-Hamlett for a response during the investigation. We also asked her specifically about claims that Nicholson decided against recommendations to remove Lane and Hilliard, which wouldn’t allow the cases to go further up the chain of command.
Nash DSS nor its employees would answer WRAL's specific questions during the investigation. Instead, the county released a statement on behalf of the department:
• Credits
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