State agency reports shortcomings in child abuse probe

State agency reports shortcomings in child abuse probe

By JOSÉ PATIÑO GIRONA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 27, 2010

A month after 2-year-old Deondray Ashe of Lakeland died from alleged child abuse, the Florida Department of Children and Families released its internal review of the agency's handling of the case while the boy's family was under investigation.

The routine internal evaluation, which was completed July 19, listed some positive aspects but more areas of where improvement is needed.

The agency was investigating Ashe's mom, Ina Ashe, and his stepfather, Marcus Brown, after a March 26 allegation of child abuse where the boy suffered fractured ribs. The case, which was closed May 25, was ruled unsubstantiated, said Ann Berner, DCF's administrator for Circuit 10, which includes Polk County.

The report cites that no one from the agency visited the child and his family from April 6, when he was discharged from St. Joseph's Hospital, until May 24. Berner said there should have been regular visits in between, although the family had been reached by telephone.

The report said staff also should have continued weight checks to see whether Ashe was continuing to gain weight. There should have been further investigation to learn whether there was weight loss and if it was caused by illness of neglect, the report states.

In addition, that staff should have prepared a more detailed safety plan pointing out sleeping arrangements and proper supervision of Ashe's 4-year-old sibling.

The report recommends that the child protection investigation staff attend a safety planning training.

On June 14, less than a month after the child abuse allegation was deemed unsubstantiated, Deondray Ashe was dead. Brown was arrested June 16 and charged with first-degree murder in his stepson's death.

Earlier this month, Ina Ashe was charged with aggravated manslaughter on a child and two counts of aggravated child neglect in Deondray's death.

Berner said that during the investigation support groups were put in place to assist the family and the family was cooperative with investigators.

The family had never been investigated for child abuse. Ina Ashe was a nurse. Though Brown did have a criminal history, they were minor offenses that did not involve violence, Berner said.

"I don't think any of those recommendations would have given us a different outcome," Berner said.

Berner added that no one in the agency who worked on this case will receive a reprimand or is in jeopardy of losing their job.

Reporter José Patiño Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/jul/27/state-agency-reports-shortcomings-child-abuse-prob/news-breaking/