Press Release: Tragic Deaths of Medically Fragile Children Raise Questions About Child Welfare Oversight in Oregon
SOUTHERN OREGON—The deaths of two medically fragile children in a foster home last summer have sparked urgent discussions about the efficacy of the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) regarding child welfare protocols. The first child, an 11-year-old with cerebral palsy, suffered a fatal incident in June 2024, just weeks after a concern was reported about the child’s health. Despite prior knowledge of the child’s vulnerabilities, DHS did not conduct a critical incident review, claiming the report of fever did not meet the standard for abuse.
State officials later asserted that neither child’s death resulted from neglect or abuse. However, Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin criticized the agency for potentially neglecting its responsibilities by closing the case based on a singular call that raised concerns about the child’s health, which DHS deemed non-abusive.
The second child’s demise occurred merely a month later, prompting a critical incident review due to prior warnings linked to the mother. Investigators revealed that the same support worker supervised both children and questioned the adequacy of their training, raising alarms about the overall safety and care provided.
“Could lessons from the first death have affected the outcome for the second?” Gelser Blouin asked, underscoring the potential systemic failures within the DHS. Despite receiving over 175,000 calls to their hotline last year, only a fraction (26%) were assessed further, leading to her concerns that the agency was not complying fully with legislative intent.
In response to the incidents, Gelser Blouin has introduced an amendment to state legislation to clarify when critical reviews should be mandatory, ensuring that all child deaths with prior concerns receive comprehensive scrutiny. The Senate Human Services committee has approved this amendment, highlighting the growing frustration among legislators to prompt necessary reforms in child welfare oversight.
For inquiries, contact Sami Edge at sedge@oregonian.com.
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