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'At least they are being given an option': Nash County commissioner calls for resignation of Nash DSS leadership after scathing report

Nash County leaders are responding to a critical state report into the Nash County Department of Social Services.

Posted Updated

By
Lena Tillett, WRAL anchor/reporter,
and
Eric Miller, WRAL multimedia journalist
NASHVILLE, N.C. — A Nash County Commissioner is calling for the resignation of Nash County Department of Social Services Leadership Monday after a scathing state report detailed the failures of the department in multiple cases.

In a letter to Nash DSS Friday, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ (NCDDS) Division of Social Services said it became aware of a child fatality on Feb. 7, which is the same day Christal Lane died at the age of 8. The letter, first reviewed by WRAL News, outlined allegations the county violated policies in its responsibility to protect Lane.

"This is a stain on Nash County," said Nash County Commissioner Gwen Wilkins. "It took that child's death for that child to be free, and for her siblings to be out of danger, and that's a shame."

The girl’s grandmother, Patricia Ann Ricks, 72, is charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse in connection with Lane’s death.

Revelations that Nash County DSS was aware of at least one prior allegation of abuse by Ricks led to the state investigation.

WRAL learned that Lane went to school so badly beaten in December 2022 that authorities at Coopers Elementary School reported it to DSS, but she and four siblings remained in the custody of Ricks.

Commissioner Gwen Wilkins confirmed to WRAL News a social worker involved in Lane's case was terminated. However, for Wilkins, leadership needs to be changed as well. She's calling for the director of social services, deputy director, and a supervisor to step down.

"I will continue to ask for their resignation," Wilkins said. "At least they are being given an option, or they would be given an option. That's something Christal did not have." Wilkins said.

NCDHHS found several policy violations in how Lane's case was investigated, including:

  • Collateral contacts were not contacted according to policy.
  • Supervision was not conducted according to policy.
  • Prior Child Protective Services (CPS) history from South Carolina was not obtained.
  • While interviews with children and adults are well documented, there is insufficient follow-up to verify the information.
  • Child medical exams were completed, however, there is insufficient follow-up with the concerns expressed by the examiner.
  • Additional information regarding the actions of the grandmother and additional injuries found on the child were not taken as new reports

That report also described a long list of policy violations by the department in 23 similar cases, including a lack of oversight in more than 60 percent of the cases. A state official told WRAL the cases were reviewed between October of 2022 and February of 2023.

State Senator Sydney Batch (D-Wake), who's also been a child welfare attorney for 17 years, called the violations egregious.

"I understand why people are outraged, because this is a failure of the child welfare system in which it has ended in the worst way possible with a child losing their life," said Batch.

Batch said the state report and the outcome in Lane's case indicates oversight was not happening within Nash County DSS.

"Any supervisor, who would have looked at that situation would have said, we need to remove her, she should not remain in that house, her siblings should not remain in that house," said Batch.

The state is requiring the Nash County DSS to develop a corrective action plan within 30 days of Friday’s letter. Also, the state plans to review the county’s proposed plan and provide feedback within 10 business days of receiving it.

Nash County leaders meet after explosive state report comes out

"This is a stain on Nash County, and it needs to be resolved," said Wilkins. "We are doing whatever we can to resolve it. And I think the citizens of Nash county are owed that. And we're going to do what we can to earn that trust back."

Commissioner Wilkins is now asking community members to contact their commissioners to demand the three leaders resign or be removed from the board.

Closed door meeting Monday

Nash County Commissioners held a special, closed door meeting Monday morning.

After nearly three hours of private discussion, Nash County leaders made a promise that they'd release an official response to this state report within 24 hours.

By 11 o'clock Monday night, the county released a statement on behalf of the chair of the Nash County Board of Commissioners, Robbie Davis, and Dr. H. Mike Johnson, Chairman Nash County Human Services Board

"The Governing Boards have reviewed the report and have instructed staff to take steps to begin correcting the issues listed. Nash County is already developing a Corrective Action Plan as prescribed in the letter and working closely with NCDHHS to ensure we are meeting all the requirements issued by the State. We appreciate their partnership as we move our Department of Social Services forward and continue to improve in the areas noted in the letter.

New legislation on the horizon

State Senator Batch is drafting new legislation to better protect children in situations similar to Lane's. That includes giving DHHS more authority in its oversight capacity of county social services.

"I think that it should change, I believe it will change. I have a lot of bipartisan support in this area to make sure that the Department of Health and Human Services has more teeth, and more ability to enforce the policies that were violated in Nash County,” said Batch.

She told WRAL's Lena Tillett she plans to name the bill "Christal's Law." The legislation is expected to be released in the spring.

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