For decades counties have given increasing weight to parents’ rights, which has led to leaving children in high-risk settings, sometimes with fatal consequences.
However this practice is being tested by legal actions directly against social workers.
This week’s wrongful death lawsuit brought by the father of Eli Hart joins a pending case by Layla Mary Ann Jackson’s family, a $1.3 million settlement with Ariana Hunziker’s grandparents, and a $1.5 million settlement with relatives of Kendrea Johnson. The recent state Supreme Court decision in Jepsen vs Pope County has strengthened plaintiffs’ cases by significantly limiting sovereign immunity for social workers.
We have worked for years to make incremental gains in child safety practices through legislation. But perhaps the prospect of being held legally accountable for a child’s death will more quickly overcome resistance by social workers and counties to much-needed reforms.
There will be no blog post next week in honor of the Labor Day weekend. Enjoy your weekend and we’ll see you in two weeks!