Two social workers are charged with involuntary manslaughter, second-degree child abuse and willful neglect in the death of a 3-year-old boy in Detroit. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy alleges that Children’s Protective Services Specialist Elaina Brown, 24, and her supervisor, Kelly Williams, 47, failed to do their jobs by ensuring the child’s safety. Both women are employed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).This past May, 3-year-old Aaron Minor’s decomposing body was found in the apartment where he lived with his mother Deanna Minor, 28. Minor has a reported history of mental health issues and was in a psychiatric facility when her son’s body was discovered by a maintenance man who was investigating a foul odor coming from the apartment. The medical examiner later determined his death as a homicide. In April, a mental health professional reported concerns about the mother’s ability to provide proper care for her son to CPS. According to local news sources, Brown visited the home twice in April, attempting to engage the mother in services. Brown’s investigation found that there was inadequate food in the home. Authorities report that Brown informed Williams and later sent a letter to Minor requesting that she contact CPS. Minor did not respond. She reportedly has three other children who are being raised by their fathers.
There is a series of steps CPS is required to take while servicing families. These steps are dictated by policy and Child Protection Law. A family’s cooperation with CPS is voluntary and CPS is often challenged with systemic obstacles (high case loads, limited resources, bureaucracy) that hinder their ability to effectively service families. Turnover is a pervasive problem. Despite these obstacles and the mother’s lack of cooperation, Worthy alleges that “Brown and Williams had a legal duty to protect the safety and well-being of the child during an ongoing protective service investigation and failed to follow procedure and training as required by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).” It is further alleged that they were aware that the child’s mother was increasingly incapable of caring for the child due to her mental illness.
“Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Children’s Services Agency employees are committed to protecting vulnerable children from abuse and neglect. They have difficult jobs and care about children. MDHHS employees are deeply saddened by any child death.These employees and all Americans are entitled to the presumption of innocence. MDHHS will let the court process proceed and has no further comment on the criminal charges. It would be inappropriate to discuss specifics related to an ongoing court case. MDHHS also is prohibited from discussing specifics of Children’s Protective Services’ cases under the Michigan Child Protection Law”, stated MDHHS spokesperson, Bill Wheaton.
Unfortunately, child deaths are not a new occurrence. There are several instances where social workers were fired due to failing to properly service a family; however, criminally charging them is a bold move. Social workers have a thankless job. They often go above and beyond without proper support, compensation or recognition. MDHHS child welfare employees have rallied behind Brown and Williams, empathizing with them, acknowledging that this could happen to any of them.
Minor, was arrested and charged in August with felony murder, second-degree murder, first-degree child abuse, second-degree child abuse and failure to report a dead body. She is scheduled to undergo a competency examination at the end of this month. Brown and Williams are suspended with pay as a result of the charges. Brown has been with the department since 2015 and Williams since 1995. Both women were arraigned Monday, November 14, given a $25,000 personal bond, and ordered not to be around children as part of their jobs. They are due back in court next week. Involuntary manslaughter is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a conviction of second-degree child abuse could result in a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
