Wendell woman shot by ex-husband claims DSS was negligent
LaTonya Taylor, who survived after being in a coma for a week, is now suing the Division of Social Services of Wake County and several of its case workers for negligence, which caused her children to suffer severe emotional distress.
Posted — Updated“It seems like it gets harder and harder,” she said. “[My children] heard the beatings. I was pistol whipped. They could hear it, the sounds of the beatings, of the gun and just me begging.”
The lawsuit indicates a DSS case worker who conducted several home visits during that time advised Taylor that she should consider letting her son stay with Holden if he signed a safety plan. Four months later, Taylor was fighting for her life and her parents were dead.
“Her not being here is hard. I can’t pick up the phone and say ‘mom, this is what we’re doing. This is what the kids are doing and just hear her voice’,” Taylor said. “And my dad, he was just so strong. He just loved his grandkids and I just miss talking to them.”
DSS said the department cannot comment on an ongoing case.
Holden's trial is set for July.
Taylor and her children all remain in counseling and said they are doing as well as can be expected. Taylor has a new job and is engaged.
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