LOVELAND, Colo.—The death of a newborn baby in Loveland has prompted a changed policy for Larimer County child caseworkers.
The (Loveland) Reporter-Herald reports that the death of baby Summer Moon Hawk in January has prompted a new policy that when a parent misses an appointment with caseworkers, an employee will be sent to the child’s home.
Summer Moon’s mother missed an appointment with the county’s Department of Human Services on Jan. 19. Public caseworkers were involved because the baby tested positive for the active ingredient in marijuana.
A visit to the baby’s home showed acceptable conditions. When the mom missed a subsequent appointment, the caseworker called but didn’t visit the home again.
Davis took her newborn to the doctor on Jan. 18, and doctor sent the mom and baby home with instructions.
Six days later, Summer Moon was dead from pneumonia.
Reports showed that the baby’s condition got worse, but David didn’t take her back to the doctor.
Her failure to do so was part of the reason she was arrested Feb. 5 and charged with child abuse resulting in death. Her case is pending.
“It’s a very unfortunate situation,” said Ginny Riley, head of the Larimer County Department of Human Services. “We did what we were supposed to do. Things happened after we went out there that nobody reported to us.”
The county has implemented a new rule that workers will go to the home the very day of any missed appointment.
A state review of Summer Moon’s death expressed concern for how the caseworker handled the family’s marijuana use.
The caseworker tried to ensure that Davis would not smoke in front of her children, instead leaving Davis’ mother in charge, but did not consider potential pot use by the same maternal grandmother, according to the report.
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Information from: Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald,
