The Cumberland County Department of Social Services is declining to release any information of their involvement with Shaniya Davis and her family.
A press release was issued November 20th by Cumberland County DSS that stated the following:
Department of Social Services’ Statement On Davis Information RequestsFAYETTEVILLE, NC – The Cumberland County Department of Social Services has received numerous requests to release information regarding any connection the department has to Shaniya Davis and her family.In response, the department is releasing the following statement explaining why those requests for information will be denied:The Cumberland County Department of Social Services, through our County Attorney’s Office, consulted with the District Attorney’s Office of the 12th Prosecutorial District, in accordance with North Carolina General Statute §7B-2902(d).The District Attorney has concluded pursuant to North Carolina General Statute §7B-2902(d)(3) and (5) that the release of any information at this time is likely to jeopardize the State’s ability to prosecute the defendant and also is likely to undermine an ongoing or future criminal investigation.As a result, we will deny any request related to the release of information in the child fatality of Shaniya Davis.“We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the family and the community,” said Director Brenda Jackson. “Our focus continues to be on assisting law enforcement in any way possible.”
Why the District Attorney feels that releasing information about Cumberland County’s involvement with Shaniya’s family would affect their case is a mystery.
Obviously, if there is something so vitality important in those records that it could affect prosecution or effect a trial, then the question must be asked, could Shaniya’a death have been prevented? Did Cumberland County drop the ball in this case and allow Shaniya to fall through the gaping holes of our broken CPS system.
When, if ever, will those reports be released to the public?
And when they are released how will the public know that information is actually what occurred in Shaniya’s case?
WRAL.com reported that a state child fatality review team will look into any contact the Cumberland County DSS had with the family of Shaniya Davis before the 5-year-old was kidnapped and killed. That report will then become part of the public record.
The state child fatality review team is made up of various professionals, but finding a list of the members is proving difficult.
According to North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, The Child Fatality Task Force was created in 1991 by the General Assembly to study the cause of death in childhood and to develop a system for the multidisciplinary review of child deaths. The impetus for creating the Task Force was to address the problem of child abuse, which is responsible for about 60 deaths in North Carolina each year, but the focus of the Task Force quickly expanded to include the other 97 percent of child deaths as well. Contact: Division of Public Health, Children and Youth, 919-707-5626.
A call to this number will inform you that the position of Director of the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force is currently vacant. So who is in charge?
Many questions remain unanswered in this case, but one answer is apparent, transparency and accountability are needed in our Child Protective Services departments. Without them even if mistakes are made by DSS they will go unnoticed and hidden from the public because of the laws they are able to hide behind.
Comments
That's because we have been blowing up their phone all day demanding that they all lose their jobs. Thank you for keeping the world informed. I plan to follow this through until Mario McNeill dies from lethal injection.
It's out there, that's why it was quickly sealed. Heard today that 12 visits were required but only 4 were made. Also, heard that her father moved her from a $250K home to live in a nasty, filthy trailor because he no longer wanted the responsibility of raising her and his new woman didn't want her too. May they all rott in hell. God decided that he didn't want this little girl to have to live like this anymore.
Excellent post, spicypink.
Don't forget lethal injection for "Mommy" too. Actually something much more slow and agonizing would be better.
This story has me so I can't sleep at night. As the mother of 3 and 9 year old girls , I cry when see this beautiful child's face. I do not want Shaniya to ever be forgotten. Please continue to post articles and keep us informed.
Since I am also in North Carolina, I am quite aware of just how corrupt DSS (our version of CPS) is. I don't know why they failed this child but they did. I want answers. I am going to demand answers. As a taypayer, my taxes pay for these SOBs paychecks so therefore I have a right to know why they're being used to pay inept, corrupt and incompetent social workers. We all need to demand they be held accountable. Too many children have died under the watchful eye of CPS and it's time to demand they own up to their mistakes. One or two, yes but this is becoming an every day problem. Somewhere in this country, another foster child has died or one where CPS failed to protect them. We have got to stop the madness!!!
Roasting would be a good end for her murderers. A preview of their fate in the next world
I am so saddened by this story, this little girl needed someones help and it wasn't there. Spicypink keep up the good work to get the truth out. Her mother should die slow ,very slow for what she done..
They do this with everyone.I am still fighting to get all the documentation in regards to my daughter's case and as long as our laws protect them this will continue. to be the course of action they choose to take.You should see the b.s. they put in my file.
Shaniya's father and her aunt are guilty and should be punished for neglecting her. They didn't even bother to put her for adaption.and his disgusting father pretends to be shocked and grieve stricken. nasty liar. The mother and that unhuman murderer don't need trial. they deserve to be raped and strangled.
I would believe it, I have copies of the document they forged my husbands name on posted on my blog.
I know how corrupt they are, now the question becomes...what are we going to do about it? The laws that rule CPS need to change or CPS needs to be completely abolished and a new entity created.
There is a need to protect children, but the current CPS isn't it! There are too many children dying, too many children being needlessly removed. The current system is corrupt and broken and will remain so until the American people say ENOUGH!
Mario shouldn't die by lethal injection. Instead some guy should rape him and beat him to death! The mother should get the same punishment. This story is sad and heartbreaking. The dad is guilty and you can see it in his face! Mothers and fathers please protect your young. Children r GODS gifts to us its time we treat them like it.
Are you still watching Shaniya's case? The mother has had the baby and the baby is still with her. She is walking around Fayetteville with Mr. Clarence Coe. DSS in Cumberland County is such a waste of money. It seems that everyone has dropped the ball on Shaniya now.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!