2 years ago
SACRAMENTO, CA - A Sacramento social worker has been placed on administrative leave, accused of failing to properly investigate the case of a 4-year-old later beaten to death.
Jahmaurae Allen died Monday night after suffering severe head and internal injuries, according to Sacramento County sheriff's investigators. Jonathan Lamar Perry, Jr., 26, who was caring for his girlfriend's son, is accused of murder and assault.
Just five weeks earlier, Sacramento County Child Protective Services began an investigation into suspected abuse involving Allen. Now, county officials admit CPS must take partial blame for the boy's death.
"The social worker did not follow established procedures within the department and it resulted in the death of the child," said Lynn Frank, Director of the county's Health and Human Services which oversees CPS. "We have placed the worker on administrative leave."
Frank said when she heard of the toddler's death, her reaction was, "shock and horror."
"I was amazed that appropriate procedures were not followed. I really don't even know what else to say. I'm just really amazed," Frank told News10.
The initial suspicion of abuse was reported by a health care professional. The CPS case worker did not have "required contact with reporting party; required contact with medical personnel; required contact with persons who may have knowledge of the family; and reviewing the case with the supervisor," said Frank.
"Although Child Protective Services intervened in this case and did take some steps to protect Jahmaurae, we could have - and should have - done more," Frank said.
She said she knew the worker had 24 new cases in June in addition to her current caseload but that wasn't enough reason.
"The social worker might have felt overwhelmed. That doesn't excuse not following appropriate procedures, but that's the only thing I can put my hands around about why the appropriate actions might not have been taken," said Frank.
The female social worker has not been identified, and Frank said she didn't know how long the worker has been with Sacramento's CPS.
Earlier Thursday, Perry missed his arraignment in Sacramento County Superior Court, "due to his psychological condition," according to a court bailiff.
Perry is on suicide watch in Sacramento Main Jail. Sources close to the investigation have told News10 that Perry admitted responsibility for Allen's death. His arraignment was continued to Friday.
Investigators say Perry called 911 early Monday morning from his girlfriend's apartment in the Oak Hollow complex in North Highlands. He told dispatchers the 4-year-old was unresponsive, according to sheriff's detectives. He was watching the boy and his 18-month-old sister while the children's mother, Tiffany Lacy, took her third child to the hospital because he was ill.
Allen died later Monday night. Perry was arrested the next day while staying with a family member in Antioch.
In light of this case, Frank said immediate changes are being made. That includes supervisors reviewing all 921 current child abuse or mistreatment investigations. There will also be daily briefings between supervisors and case workers to identify high risk situations.
"The majority of our social workers do excellent work and keep thousands of children safe," she said. "When we fail it is a big failure because it costs the life of a child."
News10/KXTV
