ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio — An infant died while in Children’s Services custody, and the Athens County Sheriff wants to know what happened.
Sheriff Rodney Smith in a press release said, “ It is customary for this agency to investigate any death that is deemed unusual in any capacity.”
Investigators with the Sheriff’s Office did not release any additional information pertaining to the circumstances surrounding the child’s involvement with Children’s Services (CPS) or the infant’s death.
Sheriff Smith went on to say, “It is the practice of this agency to be as thorough and complete in those investigations.”
The death comes on the heels of multiple investigations throughout southern Ohio involving children that had been abused or died after county agencies placed those children in various homes.
In Scioto County, three children have died while in the custody of CPS within the last two years. Most recently was the death of an 18-month-old child.
Two CPS workers in Scioto County were indicted last year for Child Endangerment and Tampering with Evidence after children under their case management were killed by family members the agency had placed them with.
In Ross County, the Guardian reported on a 2-year-old child who had been placed in a local foster home. The toddler was rushed to the hospital by Children’s Services after being brought to a visitation with multiple scrapes and bruises. It was later discovered at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus that the child suffered two broken arms and a skull fracture. That case remains under investigation.
A call seeking comment from CPS’ home office was not returned.
