Picketers ask for child-protective services to be investigated

Picketers ask for child-protective services to be investigated
Times Herald • January 19, 2010

Nearly 20 people are picketing in front of the St. Clair County Courthouse in Port Huron, asking that Child Protective Services be investigated in the Friday death of a 3-year-old Kimball Township girl.


Members of the group are carrying signs, at least one that reads “CPS accessory to murder,” and are handing out pink ribbons with the dates of Prhaze’s birth and death — Feb. 15, 2006 and Jan. 15. 2010.


Former state Rep. Lauren Hager was supporting Prhaze’s family and friends this morning. Hager of Port Huron Township said he has filed a request that the case being investigated by the state Office of Children’s Ombudsman.


Hager's signature piece of legislation as a state representative was Ariana’s Law, which aimed to improve the state's child-protection system.


He introduced the bill after 2-year-old Ariana Swinson of Port Huron Township was beaten and drowned by her parents in January 2000. She was killed after she was removed from her foster family and returned to her biological parents.


“There needs to be an investigation to see if there were any holes in the safety net,” he said regarding Prhaze’s death.


A Kimball Township couple — Joe Galvan, 26, and Jennifer Galvan, 29 — were arraigned Monday on open murder charges stemming from the girl’s death.


A Sunday autopsy showed she died from blunt-force trauma. Officials have said Child Protective Services had been involved with the family, and that there had been a pattern of child abuse with Prhaze.

Joe Galvan is Prhaze’s father and Jennifer Galvan is her stepmother.

Prhaze’s mother, Cassandra Ross, is in jail on a probation violation.

http://www.thetimesherald.com/article/20100119/NEWS05/100119007/1002/NEWS01/Picketers+ask+for+child-protective+services+to+be+investigated