Los Angeles County supervisors on Tuesday called for an investigation into the death of Thyri Wood, a 1-year-old daughter who died in July after the county child welfare agency left her in the care of her 11-year-old brother.
Supervisors voted Tuesday to task the county's Office of Child Protective Services, which is the oversight agency of the Department of Children and Family Services, with investigating the Canoga Park baby's death.
“Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and caring home, and we owe it to them to take action and create meaningful change,” said Superintendent Lindsey Horvath, whose district includes Canoga Park. “We have called for a thorough investigation … to identify where our systems can be strengthened to better protect our young people.”
The investigation follows The Times reported this month about the circumstances of Thyri's death. Although DCFS received several reports over the spring that her mother had disappeared for days and left her children without food, it never opened a case – even after learning that the 11-year-old was caring for both Thyri and a 3rd child -year-old child took care of. old sister.
Thyri was found dead in her crib on July 1st. The autopsy was inconclusive, but she showed signs of dehydration, “poor nutrition” and possible neglect, according to the county coroner's autopsy.
On Tuesday, supervisors called on the Office of Child Protective Services and county attorneys to “conduct a full investigation.” next month And A half into the role that county agencies – namely DCFS and the Department of Health Services – played in this case.
The health department oversees a system of medical centers to which social workers can refer children they suspect are victims of abuse. The supervisors want to find out whether there were any references to a hub, according to their application.
“As we wait to learn more about the child's cause of death, we must evaluate the resources, services and programs available throughout Los Angeles County to ensure children remain safe and well cared for in their homes if a death is suspected Child exists “abuse and neglect and open investigation,” the motion states.
Case reviews by the Office for Child Protection are relatively rare. The office last reviewed how DCFS handled a case in 2022, after the agency placed a 4-year-old in one Foster mother who admitted inflicting life-threatening injuries that left him in a coma.
DCFS said in a statement that it welcomes “a thorough investigation of the facts of some of our most complex cases and a careful review of the practices and protocols used.”
“Child welfare cases are rarely clear-cut, and tragedies are a sobering reminder that there are families in underserved communities whose acute personal problems can quickly escalate if they do not have access to appropriate support,” the agency said. “Unfortunately, even in loving families, crises can lead to neglect or abuse.”
