Interim director addresses alleged sex crime involving 7-year-old inside Johnston County DSS building
State and Smithfield police are investigating a report from a 7-year-old girl who says she was sexually assaulted inside the Johnston County Department of Social Services building by a 17-year-old boy.
On Friday, WRAL News spoke with Johnson County Department of Social Services [DSS] interim director Ben Rose.
“We are most concerned about these allegations,” Rose said. “We are working in full cooperation with [law enforcement], and our partners at DHHS [Department of Health and Human Services].
“We reached out to them immediately.”
Rose said Friday there are many staffing vacancies inside of Johnston County DSS. WRAL News is working to learn if that could have contributed to the alleged incident. The department has about 350 employees and turnover is consistent, Rose said. The Johnston County DSS has 37 vacancies as of Friday.
"We are still reviewing the situation," Rose said. "However, this should not happen."
While Rose said he cannot about the facts of the case, he said he and his team are reviewing the allegations and hope to take appropriate action.
Johnston County leaders held a meeting Friday focused on hiring a new permanent director.
On Monday afternoon, the 7-year-old girl’s mother said the Johnston County DSS reached out to her about the alleged incident.
The mother shared records of her daughter’s visit to the emergency department at WakeMed, which state “she was touched by another 17-year-old male in the custody of child protective services while they were coloring in the office.”
WRAL News asked Rose why the girl was unsupervised within DSS.
"I am unable to address anything specific regarding the investigation," Rose said.
Smithfield police confirmed they’re investigating an aggravated assault with sexual motives, but wouldn’t say if a juvenile petition – which initiates a court case for someone younger than 18 – has been filed.
WRAL News reached out to DHHS on Friday.
"Children who are in the custody of the local department of social services should always be in a licensed or court-approved placement, which includes requirements for supervision based on the child’s age, intelligence, emotional make up and past experiences and adheres to the supervision requirements specified in the out-of-home family services agreement or person-centered plan," the DHHS wrote in a statement. "Additionally, anytime a child is in the custody of the local department of social services and is in the office, regardless of whether they are visiting or staying there, the child should always be supervised by a DSS employee or approved adult."
A DHHS spokesperson said the state is unable to comment on the circumstances of any particular case.
WRAL News reached out to Johnston County District Attorney Susan Doyle with a request for comment.
"Unfortunately, I do no comment on juvenile matters since that is not public record," Doyle said.
