County Commissioners planned to meet with the head of Scioto County Children Services to discuss the agency’s financial crisis as a valued member of the CPS board turned in her resignation.
Scioto County Children Services Board member Dawn Keller has resigned from the board effective immediately. County Commissioners accepted the resignation at Thursday’s meeting. However, commissioners said the resignation was not tied to the agency’s recent troubles.
Agency Under Fire
Scioto County Children Services has once again found itself under fire after a third child in three years died while under the supervision of the agency. This is the third child to die while under CPS supervision in the past 3 years. Baby Dylan Groves died in 2019 and five-year-old Annabel Green was killed in July of 2020.
Scioto County Children’s Services became the target of a state investigation as the result of Baby Dylan’s death, with the state actually taking over the agency for some time. Little Annabell’s death came shortly after Jason Mantell took over as director of the agency. Two caseworkers involved with the Groves and Greene deaths were later indicted for child endangerment and tampering with evidence.
This time, an 18-month-old girl under the agency’s supervision died after being returned from an overnight visit with her non-custodial mother.
Police searched the homes of the mother and a friend. Detectives recovered 29 grams of Meth (Ice), 13 grams of Heroin/Fentanyl, marijuana, scales, a firearm, and $4,200 in cash. The controlled substances were forwarded to the Bureau of Criminal Investigations for testing.
The mother, Kristina Edwards, and male friend, Larry Weaver, Jr., were later arrested on drug and child endangerment charges. However, the charges against Weaver were later dismissed.
Awesome Addition To Board
Commissioner Scottie Powell praised Keller as “an awesome addition to that board. Willing to serve.” He said Keller had some “family stuff” going on and wanted to spend more time with her family. “We understand that and appreciate all of the hard work she’s done with the Children Services Board.”
Bryan Davis also praised Keller. “She has done a great job. She worked for the county for many years prior to that in our juvenile courts.” Davis said board members agreed with him that “It is a great loss. Hate to lose her. But family comes first. I respect that. We wish her well. We wish her family well.”
Commissioners must now move to replace Keller. Scottie Powell said if anyone is interested in taking her place, they should send a letter of interest to the commissioners. “It’s definitely a board that has a lot of things to tackle,” Powell said the board is facing many challenges, including a difficult financial situation. “It’s not just a seat to hold. You have to be ready to work.”
Financial Crisis Meeting
Powell also said commissioners planned to meet with CPS Director Jason Mantell later in the day to discuss the financial situation at the agency. “We’re trying to figure out the financial situation and how we can fix what’s going on there.”
Powell said the financial issue was not the board nor the agency’s fault. “When you almost double the amount of kids in two years, it’s overwhelming for anybody. Now we have to face this deficit.” He said all options to raise money for the agency are on the table.
The commissioners also planned to discuss ways to get more local people involved as foster parents.
