D.A and Police Department ask the SBI to investigate Cumberland County DSS

D.A and Police Department ask the SBI to investigate Cumberland County DSS
December 7, 12:11 PM Surry County CPS ExaminerLisa Nixon

According to a letter from Cumberland County District Attorney, Ed Grannis to Cumberland County Manager, James Martin, the District Attorney’s Office and the Fayetteville Police Department are both questioning whether the Cumberland County Department of Social Services has disclosed a “complete and accurate record” regarding the case of murdered 5-year-old, Shaniya Davis.

In the letter dated December 4, 2009, District Attorney, Ed Grannis writes,

“This afternoon I met with Chief Bergamine and the members of the investigative team investigating the death of Shaniya Davis.
Following the presentation by the investigators with the Fayetteville Police Department, Chief Bergamine has requested the SBI’s assistance to determine if Fayetteville Police have received complete and accurate records from Cumberland County DSS regarding this case. Based upon the information provided to me and my senior staff by the Fayetteville Police Department concerning these issues, I share their concern and I have requested the assistance of the SBI to assist us in this regard.”

Although North Carolina General Statute §7B-2902 permits disclosure to the public in Child fatality or near fatality cases when DSS has been involved, Cumberland County DSS has refused to release any information to the public about their connection or involvement with Shaniya Davis and her family to the public, citing the ongoing investigation.
In a press release issued November 20th Cumberland County DSS stated the following:

Department of Social Services’ Statement On Davis Information Requests

FAYETTEVILLE, 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.”

Apparently, the District Attorney’s office and the Fayetteville Police Department are both now questioning whether the focus of CCDSS is indeed assisting law enforcement in any possible way and whether DSS has released all the information they have to local law enforcement and the District Attorney.

According to WRAL.com, DSS director Brenda Jackson has said, in a statement released by Cumberland County spokeswoman Sally Shutt, “that she would ensure that her office cooperates with authorities to resolve the matter.”

The state Child Fatality Task Force is already reviewing any contact CCDSS had with Shaniya Davis’ family.
A Failure, by Cumberland County DSS, to provide accurate and complete information to the authorities in this case, could affect not only the criminal case, but the findings of the Task Force as well.
This is a perfect example of why there needs to be accountability and transparency in DSS. Open these departments up to public scrutiny so they cannot hide evidence, their mistakes, or the full extent of their involvement with families.
Allowing DSS to keep their records confidential, prevents full disclosure in many harmful ways and enables them to keep their failures, mistakes and in some cases their law breaking from being discovered.

Shaniya was reported missing from her home located at 1116-A Sleepy Hollow Drive, Tuesday, November 10 at around 6:53 a.m.
Shaniya's body was found November 16, around 1 p.m. in a wooded area Near Highway 87 in Lee County, 6 miles from Sanford and not far from the Comfort Inn hotel where she was last seen alive by a witness.

Surveillance video from the hotel shows Shaniya being carried by Mario Andrette McNeill through the hotel, and into a room, on the morning of her disappearance. The video is time stamped 6:11 a.m.
Police believe that Shaniya was still alive at about 7:30a.m., when she left the hotel.
Mario Andrette McNeill has been charged with Kidnapping, First Degree Murder, and First Degree Rape of Shaniya Davis.
It is unknown if Shaniya's mother, Antoinette Davis will also face additional charges in her daughter's death. Davis has been charged with, Human Trafficking, Felony Child Abuse – Prostitution, Filing a False Police. Report, and Resist, Delay, or Obstruct.
The investigation into the events surrounding Shaniya Davis’ death is still ongoing.


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