Content Tagged As dcfs
Tagged News
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DCFS whistleblower says she was fired after raising concerns over child safety Play Video
October 9, 2023 5:49 PM
BATON ROUGE - A Department of Children and Family Services Child Welfare Specialist said she was terminated last week after telling higher-ups about problems she was witnessing and documented them in emails. Watch live newscasts here Dr. Monica Fabre is the President of the NAACP chapter in Pointe... more » -
DCFS advises vigilance after 'card skimming' reports
November 22, 2022 6:59 PM
BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's Department of Children and Family Services on Tuesday advised those receiving certain benefits to take steps to ensure their information is safe and secure. It follows reports of "card skimming" in Sabine Parish. "Skimming" is a way that crooks gather personal data from transactional cards—like... more » -
After another child death under DCFS watch, governor silent about leader he appointed Play Video
November 8, 2022 5:15 PM
BATON ROUGE - Governor John Bel Edwards' office has not responded to repeated requests for comment following the death of another child who succumbed to a fentanyl overdose after the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services failed to act in time . The Governor appointed the leader of... more » -
Despite calls for her resignation, Governor backs DCFS leader Play Video
September 7, 2022 4:39 PM
BATON ROUGE- Despite growing calls for DCFS Secretary Marketa Walters to step down amid a number of problems at the agency she oversees, Governor John Bel Edwards told reporters Wednesday he stands behind her and has confidence in the job she's doing. "The day that is no longer the... more » -
Prosecutors reviewing DCFS failures as state investigates toddler's death, foster home abuse Play Video
August 12, 2022 5:30 PM
BATON ROUGE - District Attorney Hillar Moore said he is scheduling meetings with the State Department of Children and Family Services after recent problems at the agency were exposed over the past week. Watch live newscasts here One child overdosed three times on fentanyl and died. Other children... more » -
Kids raped by foster parent, deputies say in shocking arrest: DCFS at center of new controversy Play Video
August 5, 2022 12:24 PM
BATON ROUGE – A foster parent is accused of sexually abusing three children who were left in his care, according to an arrest report obtained by the WBRZ Investigative Unit. Michael Hadden, 52, was arrested this week on rape and molestation of a juvenile charges. Hadden raped a... more » -
Mother was reported to state 3 times before toddler's overdose death; Inspector General investigating Play Video
August 2, 2022 6:11 PM
UPDATE: A grand jury formally charged Whitney Ard on Thursday, Sept. 29 with second-degree murder in death of her son. ----- BATON ROUGE - A mother was reported to state child services at least three times before her 2-year-old son died from an apparent fentanyl overdose. Watch... more » -
State auditor's office on recent analysis of DCFS program
December 27, 2021 4:34 AM
BATON ROUGE - A recent audit of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provided by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) revealed where Louisiana falls in comparison with equivalent programs in other states. According to auditors, it was discovered that between fiscal years 2012 and... more » -
State Inspector General investigating DCFS over botched rape investigation Play Video
December 2, 2021 6:32 PM
BATON ROUGE - The State Inspector General's Office is investigating the Department of Children and Family Services following a botched child rape investigation spanning 10 years. That revelation came one day after the WBRZ Investigative Unit learned Louisiana State Police turned a formal complaint it received over to the... more » -
After daughter repeatedly hit by child at Baker daycare, mom demands accountability Play Video
October 6, 2021 11:27 PM
BAKER - One mom is asking for Scholarly Education of Precious Tots, a daycare on Harding Street, to face punishment after the daycare's video system captured her daughter being hit repeatedly by another child. "I was very angry," Lakreisha Lawrence said. "I was very upset." Daily, Lawrence checks... more » -
Technical issues involving P-EBT, SNAP benefits resolved, officials say
July 14, 2021 10:47 AM
BATON ROUGE - Shortly after Louisiana's Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) announced Wednesday that technical issues were impeding the issuance of benefits such as P-EBT and SNAP, DCFS followed up with assurance that the issues had been resolved. On the DCFS's Facebook page , the organization said,... more » -
Audit reveals ongoing record-keeping issue within Dept of Children & Family Services
January 11, 2021 8:06 AM
BATON ROUGE - A recent analysis of Louisiana's Department of Children and Family Services' (DCFS) recent financial records revealed a flaw that the state auditor's office says has been a continuing problem for the Department. According to the state auditor, DCFS did not follow up to ensure that individuals... more » -
DSNAP approved for five more parishes hit by Delta
November 13, 2020 6:00 AM
BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) received federal approval Thursday, Nov. 12 to begin virtual Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) operations in five additional parishes due to damages sustained from Hurricane Delta. The application process for this second phase will run from... more » -
DCFS, National Safe Haven Alliance create 24/7 crisis hotline for certain Louisiana parents
November 6, 2020 6:34 AM
BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) announced Thursday that it has partnered with the National Safe Haven Alliance (NSHA) to create a 24/7 hotline specifically designed to assist parents who are considering relinquishing their baby under Louisiana’s Safe Haven Law. The NSHA’s 24/7... more » -
DSNAP food assistance approved for residents of five parishes hit by Hurricane Delta
October 26, 2020 6:32 AM
BATON ROUGE - Residents of Acadia, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis and Vermilion Parishes who have been impacted by Hurricane Delta can begin applying for assistance from the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) on Monday (Oct. 26), according to a news release from The Louisiana Department of Children and Family... more » -
Change to DSNAP program allows all La residents to apply any day, regardless of last name
September 21, 2020 5:39 AM
BATON ROUGE - Louisiana officials announced Sunday that following a change in the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP), residents in all 21 parishes approved for DSNAP benefits can apply for benefits any day of the week, regardless of their last names, until Wednesday, September 23. This new allowance... more » -
La Dept of Children and Family Services temporarily closes to visitors
March 17, 2020 9:51 AM
BATON ROUGE - As vital government agencies around the country change their daily routines in hopes of curtailing the spread of novel coronavirus, key agencies in Louisiana are following suit. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has decided to provide customer service only by phone, email... more » -
After foster parent's arrest and WBRZ report, lawmaker calls for investigation Play Video
February 15, 2019 6:20 PM
GONZALES – WBRZ reports highlighting red flags may have been missed as many as two years before a foster parent’s arrest this week rattled the cage of a state lawmaker who called for an investigation Friday. “I was shocked. And, when it happens in your own back yard, you... more » -
Complaints fell on deaf ears at state agency ahead of foster parent's arrest, sources tell WBRZ Play Video
February 14, 2019 6:44 PM
GONZALES – Once again, the state agency overseeing the welfare and safety of children, finds itself at the center of allegations of not doing enough to protect the most innocent. Thursday, WBRZ was first to report on the arrest of a foster parent in Ascension Parish. Jerry Oubre was... more » -
Safe Haven Law provides safe, legal, alternative to abandonment Play Video
December 26, 2016 5:49 PM
BATON ROUGE - A newborn baby left in a garbage can in a Walmart bathroom is doing better and has been taken off oxygen, according to police in New Roads. The mother, 34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas is in jail, accused of giving birth and dumping her baby in the trash.... more » -
Man charged with terrorizing after DCFS threats
October 19, 2016 11:42 AM
BATON ROUGE – A Baton Rouge man was charged with terrorizing after police said he made threats to shoot everyone in a Department of Children and Family Services office in September. According to arrest documents, 21-year-old Daniel Lewis became upset when he was not allowed to see his nephew... more » -
Foster care worker who says she had to get things done 'no matter what' turns herself in
February 17, 2016 9:03 PM
BATON ROUGE - A state foster care caseworker who alluded to being told to lie about visiting children in the state's care to meet outrageous goals set by the Department of Children and Family Services turned herself in to police. In an arrest warrant, Kimberly Lee said she created... more » -
La. foster care caseworker facing charges; says she had to get things done 'no matter what'
February 15, 2016 1:44 PM
BATON ROUGE - A state foster care caseworker alludes to being told to lie about visiting children in the state's care to meet outrageous goals set by the Department of Children and Family Services. In an arrest warrant, Kimberly Lee said she created false reports about home visits to... more » -
Audit: State workers caught stealing food stamps Play Video
December 23, 2015 8:26 PM
BATON ROUGE - Allegations of an inside job at the Department of Children and Family Services surfaced Wednesday. Four employees stole $46,000 in food stamps over a seven year period, a legislative audit revealed. The report states less than $1,000 has been recovered and one of the employees is... more » -
Two accused of locking child in feces-riddled room Play Video
December 17, 2015 5:06 PM
BATON ROUGE – Police accused a Baton Rouge couple for child cruelty after officers said they found a child locked in a room covered with bugs and feces Wednesday. Baton Rouge Police charged 36-year-old Kimberly Hall and 36-year-old Robert Martin with cruelty to juveniles Wednesday. Police said they... more » -
State puts out call for more foster parents Play Video
October 27, 2015 5:05 PM
BATON ROUGE - State officials are asking more people to consider becoming foster parents to help find homes for a growing number of children in Louisiana's foster care system. Sheri Soper is a foster parent of two children. For her and her husband, being foster parents is the way... more » -
Mother of five arrested for sex with underage boy
August 19, 2015 2:05 PM
WASHINGTON PARISH - A 34-year-old mother of five was arrested and her children taken by the Department of Family Services based on second time accusations that she had sex with an underage boy. Sheriff's deputies in Washington Parish say Rachel Marie Carrier was also accused of engaging in drug... more »