Colorado’s human services director ordered 21 staff members to conduct an emergency investigation after a year in which a dozen children died in homes visited by county social workers following abuse and neglect complaints.
“Child fatalities occurring in Colorado over the past year lead me to believe that a comprehensive review of how we assess and address risk to children is necessary,” Karen L. Beye, executive director of the Colorado Department of Human Services, announced Tuesday.
The staffers were immediately reassigned to perform child fatality reviews by February in each of the cases, human services spokeswoman Liz McDonough said. They will search for common factors that led to the deaths, McDonough said.
“We’re going to look at qualifications, training and caseloads,” McDonough said.
The probe began as testimony continued in Denver District Court in a murder case alleging that 7-year-old Chandler Grafner died of starvation and dehydration while cared for by Jon Phillips and Sarah Berry.
In each of the 12 cases last year, county social workers investigated abuse and neglect allegations in the homes of the children within five years before their deaths.
“It makes it more disturbing,” McDonough said.
After the unprecedented statewide review, the department will develop a short-term plan, identifying steps to be taken within 90 days, and propose new laws and programs.
McDonough said the children died in homes across Colorado.
In Denver, Chandler died after abuse was reported to social workers.
Maureen Hogan, acting principal of Holm Elementary School in Denver, testified Tuesday that she notified Denver Human Services twice about severe bruises on Chandler’s ear and neck, but never received a follow-up from the department.
She testified that the boy’s right ear was completely black and blue from what he said was his father putting him in a cold shower and slapping him “over and over” on the ear. Chandler also said he was fed dinner in the shower.
“No one from social services contacted me to ask if I had anything to add” to the telephone report about the boy, Hogan said.
Chandler’s teacher and a teacher’s aide also testified earlier that they were never contacted by anyone from the Department of Human Services about the boy’s condition.
In Weld County, two children were violently beaten to death after county social workers visited their homes.
Seven-year-old Zoe Garcia of Johnstown was allegedly hit, kicked and body-slammed by her half-sister Heather Trujillo, 16, and Trujillo’s 17-year-old boyfriend, Lamar Roberts, on Dec. 6 while they mimicked a violent video game.
Six-year-old LoReyna Barea was found March 9 in her home in Evans, covered with at least 68 cuts and bruises. Police reports also said she was emaciated and severely dehydrated. Barea’s aunt, Gene vieve Barea, and her aunt’s husband, Dan Partch, face child abuse charges.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
Deaths being examined
12 cases in the state’s emergency inquiry
Chandler Grafner, 7 (shown above at age 2)
Denver
Died May 6 of malnutrition and abuse, according to police. His stepfather and his stepfather’s girlfriend await trial on suspicion of child abuse resulting in death.
LoReyna Barea, 8
Weld County
Died March 9, emaciated, dehydrated and covered with 68 cuts and bruises. Her aunt and her aunt’s husband await trial on suspicion of child abuse resulting in death.
Jesse Weaver, 11
Lincoln County
Died July 8; details not available
Neveah Gallegos, 3
Denver
Reported missing Sept. 21. Body found Sept. 24. She had suffered child abuse, according to the coroner. Her body was found near West 10th Avenue and Perry Street. The investigation is continuing.
Kayla Dutcher, 5
El Paso County
Died Oct. 6; details not available
Alize Vick, 2
El Paso County
Died Oct. 10 after being thrown against a coffee table, according to police. Her foster parent has been charged in the death.
Adrian Ruybal, 1 month
Phillips County
Died Dec. 4, cause unreported. Police investigation is continuing.
Rashad Maxey, 8 months
Arapahoe County
Died Dec. 7, cause unreported.
“Baby Boy” Campbell, 1 day
Teller County
Died Dec. 24 after being delivered prematurely to a juvenile mother. Investigation ongoing.
Ezra Sprowes, 5 months
Adams County
Died Dec. 28, cause unreported
Luz Valdez, 3 months
Denver
Died Dec. 30, Valdez was hospitalized after allegedly being shook on Dec. 28 and was pronounced dead on Dec. 30. The Denver District Attorney’s Office charged the baby’s father Isidoro Valdez-Ruelas, 24, with first degree murder, child abuse causing death.
Zoe Garcia, 7
Weld County
Died Dec. 6 after her sister and sister’s boyfriend allegedly repeatedly body-slammed, kicked and punched her. They await trial on suspicion of child abuse resulting in death.
