In the starvation death of a 7-year-old boy, various county social-services departments maintained poor communication, failed to investigate a couple with whom he was placed and should have marked a January abuse report “inconclusive” instead of “unfounded.”
County child-protection workers, however, did not contribute to Chandler Grafner’s death despite failing to follow up when the school reported that the boy hadn’t been to school before his death May 6, an official review said.
“The review’s findings should not be interpreted as linking the counties’ actions to those actions that caused Chandler’s death,” said Karen Beye, executive director of Colorado Department of Human Services.
The boy’s maternal grandmother, Sandra Younger, said social services should be held responsible for Chandler’s death for not responding to reports he did not show up to school.
“They could have done more,” she said. “They could have saved him. They had three different chances, and they didn’t. I don’t think they really cared one way or another.”
Chandler’s guardians, Jon Phillips and Sarah Berry, were charged with murder and child abuse.
The review outlined the events that led up to Chandler’s death and six violations of rules or state statutes in the case.
Since their first contact with social services, Chandler and his half brother moved to three different counties, so three different departments were responsible for monitoring the children.
Arapahoe County was the first agency to investigate neglect in October 2004, after a report that Chandler was still not potty trained at age 4 and was afraid of Phillips.
Over the next 14 months, at least three more reports were made to Arapahoe, including one stating that Chandler and his 3-year-old half brother walked alone along a major street.
Arapahoe County did not follow up on the whereabouts of the children and did not run a criminal-background investigation of mother Christina Grafner, the report said.
“Arapahoe County’s involvement in this situation ended prior to Chandler’s placement in Jon Phillips’ home,” Arapahoe officials said in a written statement.
Jefferson County took over when Chandler’s grandmother reported that her daughter moved there.
Chandler and his half brother were temporarily placed in the grandmother’s custody, but Jefferson County human-services officials ruled it was not an appropriate home because she allowed the children unsupervised contact with Grafner and, without a driver’s license, drove them around in a car without child seats, the report said.
Phillips and Berry were granted custody in mid-2006.
Jefferson County should have done a more comprehensive assessment of Phillips and Berry and their home before the children were placed there, the report says.
“When Jon Phillips and Sarah Berry did not follow through with appointments, this was cause to press for further assessment,” the report said.
Lynn Johnson, executive director of Jefferson County Human Services, said significant changes have been made to improve the system in response to the report.
In January, school officials reported that Chandler had bruises and told them Phillips struck him, but the boy later changed his story, the report said.
Denver Human Services found the abuse complaint unfounded and did not visit the family in April after the school called to say Chandler had not attended for more than a month.
Denver should have worked harder to get information from Jefferson County, the report said, and Denver Human Services manager Roxane White said the department will mark future cases “inconclusive” and make visits after schools call to express concern about a child.
Beye said the changes will help improve the system. “Sadly, we cannot assure you that another child will never be hurt or killed after they became involved in the child welfare system in Colorado,” she said.
A tragic timeline for a boy named Chandler
Oct. 7, 2004: Arapahoe County receives report of Chandler Grafner not potty trained and expressing fear of dad.
Sept. 23, 2005: Chandler and younger half brother found alone on side of busy road.
March 26, 2006: Mother arrested for traffic violation while appearing to be under influence. Children placed in grandmother’s temporary custody.
May 18, 2006: Jon Phillips gains custody of boys.
Jan. 17, 2007: Denver school reports bruises on Chandler. Denver Human Services said report “unfounded.”
April 17, 2007: Denver school reports Chandler has not been at school for more than a month. Denver Human Services do not check on him.
May 6, 2007: Chandler dies.
Source: Colorado Department of Human Services Child Fatality Review
