(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Today, Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) issued a statement following the recent death of 9-year old Tyler Griffin-Huston and other high profile child deaths related to the role of counties regarding Child Welfare Services:
“Like many Sacramentans, I'm heartbroken and outraged about the horrific death of Tyler Griffin-Huston and the circumstances surrounding this tragedy. I also share the tough questioning of Sacramento’s Child Protective Services System. From Tyler to Jadianna Larsen to Adrian Conway in the Sacramento region and so many other cases throughout the state, too many children are slipping through the cracks and end up dying. We need to look inward and review the shortcomings in our counties and their Child Welfare Services role and response.
I am requesting a hearing to delve further into the issues and focus on a strategy for response. Also, I’m introducing legislation to strengthen our oversight over child welfare services at the county level. Lastly, I will ask our State Auditor to review county child welfare systems to ensure taxpayer dollars are being properly used to protect our children. Since realignment, it’s harder for the state to track where there are needs in the system, and this is something that requires legislative attention so that we can respond when we see tragic events like the one that took place in my community and other communities throughout the State.”