New York district attorney decision in welfare workers murder case over-reaching

While I am certainly for holding responsible those who are supposed to be responsible, there is something about this case that I must disagree with.  According to Jesse Solomon of CNN and his article titled New York child welfare workers charged in historic case, “two former child services case workers have been charged in the death of a 4-year-old girl they were supposed to be monitoring. It is the first indictment of child services employees in New York City's history.  Damon Adams and his former supervisor, Chereece Bell, who at the time of the child's death in September were with the city's Administration for Child Services, were charged Wednesday with criminally negligent homicide, official misconduct and endangering the welfare of a child in the death of Marchella Brett-Pierce, Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes said in a news release.”

The article also reported that “the child's grandmother, Loretta Brett, also was charged. She faces counts of second degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, unlawful imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child, the release said and the mother of the toddler, Carlotta Brett-Pierce, was indicted in November.  Adams also faces charges of tampering with public records and falsifying business records, according to the district attorney.  The child allegedly died of acute drug poisoning, blunt impact injuries, malnutrition and dehydration, officials say.  Prosecutors say that Adams postdated a computer record to make it appear as though he visited the child's home when he had not. The entry was made after she died, according to the indictment.  As Adams' supervisor, Bell is accused of neglecting to oversee and monitor Adams' work.  If convicted, Bell could face up to four years in prison; Adams, up to seven years; and Brett, up to 15 years, the district attorney's office said. Brett-Pierce could be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison if found guilty.”

I stand directly behind and support the decision of Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes but I can not support or defend the charge against the supervisor Chereece Bell.  It makes me begin to think that from this moment on all supervisors will have to accompany every child care worker on every visit and begin a micro-manage style system.  This may not only drive away those whose only drive is to help save children but also keep able-bodies managers from ever becoming supervisors and sharing their vast knowledge and experience with those coming up the ranks.  I could happily support this action of the District Attorney if there were clear knowledge that Ms. Bell had regarding the actions and inactions of Damon Adams but outside of that, it appears to be a severe over-reach to charge her.  Just my opinion.