The family of an infant who died two years ago while under watch of Rockbridge County Child Protective Services is suing the county and state Department of Social Services.
The lawsuit alleges that Rockbridge CPS downplayed and ignored evidence of neglect and abuse of a four-month old infant under its watch. The child later died in April 2016.
Ashley Ford is the half sister of the deceased infant. She’s suing both parents, including her biological father who will be tried next month for felony murder.
The $17 million wrongful death lawsuit names twelve defendants in all: Rockbridge County, its Social Services and Board of Directors, the regional office, all the way up to the state Department of Social Services.
It’s the latest example illustrating systemic breakdowns and lack of oversight within Social Services.
A Special Grand Jury that previously investigated the Rockbridge agency couldn’t find it criminally responsible but found “dysfunction … from top to bottom.”
The state is currently conducting its own investigation into the local board. The aim is to determine whether members ought be removed. That decision will be made sometime in June.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.