CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – The recent death of a 14-year-old girl in Boone County prompted WSAZ NewsChannel 3 to take a closer look at the state law that the West Virginia Department of Human Services says requires it to keep quiet.

News of the fatality broke last week. Local authorities say the teenager had not eaten for months and was unable to function more than four to five days before she died.

Authorities also say the girl, who they believe was home schooled, had not been outside of the home more than two times in the last four years.

The teen’s mother was charged with child neglect resulting in death.

Mother arrested in connection with teen’s death

The Governor’s Department of Human Services, on Monday, issued a lengthy statement on the case on behalf of Child Protective Services. It says, in part, that such cases deserve “deliberative, thoughtful, and cautious,” assessment with careful respect for confidentiality.

A day later, Tuesday, NewsChannel 3 reporter Curtis Johnson asked Gov. Jim Justice, should that statement indicate that CPS had a history in that child’s life?

Justice said, “You know, Curtis, the CPS folks, from what I understand, had no idea about this child, no idea whatsoever.”

W.Va. Gov: CPS had ‘no idea’ of Boone neglect case

So, Johnson asked Human Services to verify the governor’s comment that CPS had no knowledge of the Boone County teenager.

Instead, a spokesperson directed Johnson to “carefully review” Monday’s lengthy statement

He did just that, reading not only the press release, but also the section of state law it referenced. It was there, Johnson found one subsection that says the department, in case of a child neglect fatality, shall make public information relating to the case.

So, Johnson asked the department for any information regarding the Boone County case, or an explanation if the department believed it could not provide information.

The spokesperson did not respond before 6 p.m. Thursday.

As a result, Johnson took that question to state Del. Heather Tully, R-Nicholas, reading her that specific section of code.

“If there is a child fatality or near fatality due to child abuse and neglect, information relating to a fatality or near fatality shall be made public by the Department of Human Services and provided to the entities described,” Johnson said to Tully. “How do you read that?”

“I believe that if a child fatality occurs or a near fatality occurs, then there should be some type of public information reporting,” she replied.

“It says information relating to a fatality or near fatality shall be made public,” Johnson asked. “You think that’s clear?”

“I think that’s very clear,” Tully replied. “I think the the term ‘public’ is very clear to probably anybody that interprets it.”

But it doesn’t stop there.

Even the department’s release acknowledged another section of that state law, which reads “information related to child abuse or neglect proceedings … shall be made available upon request to: Federal, state, or local government entities.”

Tully serves on the state’s Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability, known by its acronym LOCHHRA for short.

“When you talk about federal, state or local government entities, you believe LOCHHRA is clearly a state entity?” Johnson asked.

“I believe that the Legislature is clearly a state entity,” Tully replied.

“Have you requested that information in similar cases?” he asked.

“I have not requested that information in writing,” she answered. “I have certainly made inquiry into certain cases that have happened before the Department of Human Services, only to be stonewalled and to be told that they can’t give us that information as a member of the LOCHHRA committee.”

WSAZ reached out to the Governor’s Office late Thursday afternoon to ask if he plans to direct the Department of Human Services to release any information it has as required by state code in a child fatality case.

WSAZ had received no response as of 6 p.m. Thursday.

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Title: District Manager – Kentucky & West Virginia

Desired Location: Lexington, Louisville KY

We are hiring! Geloso Beverage Group is ready to add a hard-working, dedicated new member to our growing team. We are seeking a self-motivated and forward-thinking team player to fill our District Manager – Kentucky & West Virginia.

Since 1957, the Geloso story is a tale of passion and product expansion. This 2nd generation privately- owned family company has thrived through investments in Research & Development, the manufacturing and distribution of alcoholic and low-alcoholic beverages. After establishing its first location in Quebec, Geloso has expanded its business into other Canadian provinces and the United States.

Geloso is one of the largest Beer & Malt Beverage Companies in the U.S.A. and G.B.G. is one of the largest suppliers in Convenience Store Channel. Based in Rochester, NY, since 2002, Geloso distributes multiple flavored malt beverages, including Clubtails “Cocktail in a Can” and Johny Bootlegger. These beverages can be found nationwide, in most convenience, grocery, and liquor stores.

Geloso is a TOP 100 Beverage Company in the USA, recipient of 3 Hot Brand Award for Johny Bootlegger & 4 Hot Brand Award for Clubtails.

Position Summary

The District Manager works with area distributors to develop and build our brands within the designated territory. This position requires 40% overnight travel and encompasses the states of Kentucky and West Virginia with occasional visits to neighboring territories. The desired location of residence is Lexington or Louisville Kentucky. 

Overarching Roles

·       Manage & Increase brand visibility and sales.

·       Strong leadership and representative of Geloso Beverage portfolio brands at all times.

Primary Roles

·       Establish and build distribution of our brands by working with distributor network.

·       Support Distributor in proper account merchandising and maintenance.

·       Conduct Distributor ride-withs on a regular basis (weekly) to ensure programs and priorities are on track, and to help identify new opportunities.

·       Target and track new accounts and product placements.

·       Work with distributors in developing effective market plans and incentives.

·       Tracking and reporting all work successes on a weekly basis.

·       Work under the direction of the Regional Sales Manager to meet monthly and quarterly sales goals.

·       Report monthly depletion reports to Regional Sales Manager as required.

·       Maintain and build strong rapport with distributor personnel.

Account Management                                                                                                 

·       Sell new and expanded distribution to both off-premise and on-premise accounts.

·       Build and maintain strong relationships with the owners & managers of the top accounts within the area of responsibility.

·       Support training and development initiatives for wholesalers and with key accounts.

·       Prioritize existing accounts and deploy resources (materials, budgets) to achieve set Geloso Beverage market goals.

·       Identify market specific business development opportunities.

Expectation Indicators

·       Understand how to use Vermont Information Processing (VIP) to track and manage all key sales leads.

·       Understand and explain national data trends with the use of Nielsen/IRI.

·     Provide market insight and recommendations against the target account list and update as needed with new account openings, new opportunities, etc.

·       Competitive tracking: report on competitive activity and watch for market trends.

·     Present to and engage distributor sales personnel at distributor sales meetings, while sharing upcoming priorities, events, and brand initiatives.

·    In market work: 4 days per week with distributor personnel or working off a Lilypad target account list.

·       Execute all aspects of sales plan with wholesaler network. Execute brand plans and programming by working with Geloso Bev Regional Manager and primary contact at the distributor.

·       Responsible for tracking and reporting on-going and consistent market conditions through Lilypad and iDIG VIP.

·       Weekly retail/market recap of execution and performance, providing manager feedback on market using Lilypad and iDIG VIP.

·       Work with teammates on a regular basis in the field. Provide best practice sharing and coordinate in market execution/activation drives against key market/account initiatives, new item launches and/or distribution drives.

·       Responsible for brand execution at the market level. Brand standards to include pricing, shelf placement, cold box placement, and display placement.

·       Keep abreast of competitive trends and report appropriate developments.

·       Responsible for management of own operating and T&E expenses within company guidelines

·       16 days (80% of time) ensuring retail execution, surveying (with key personnel of the wholesaler), evaluating distribution, display and ad feature execution.

·       4 full days (20% of time) managing all administrative requirements due on a monthly basis (distribution tracking, program execution tracking and performance management) as well as all local initiatives.

Desired Skills and Experience

The candidate must have:

·       Minimum of 1-5 years’ experience in sales & marketing in a related beer business or alcoholic beverage industry.

·       Proven ability to manage distant and high-level relationships with distributor leadership and key retailers in multiple markets.

·       Proven track record of success.

·       Knowledge of local beer market.

·       Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Web-based reporting tools.

·       Knowledge of and experience with Vermont Information Processing (VIP) a plus.

·       Clean driving record and proof of automotive insurance.

·       Ability to travel as necessary.

·       Position contingent upon successful completion of background check, drug screen, and physical.

Communication skills

·       Excellent interpersonal skills, diplomatic, persuasive, strong negotiating skills.

·       Strong written, verbal, and public speaking skills.

Results

Focus/Teamwork

·       Hands-on approach with can-do attitude; problem solving; resourceful; ensure constructive accountability for actions; collaborative but decisive.

Complementary health services and health and wellness-related information will be available from 1-5 p.m. Sunday (April 28) outside the Student Recreation Center.

The two-mile Community Health Walk will begin at 2:30 p.m. and the run will begin at 3:30 p.m.

Hosted by the Health Sciences and Technology Academy, Minorities Association of Pre-Healthcare Students and the Student National Medical Association, information will include the following and more:

• Oxygen screenings and healthy vs. unhealthy lung display, WVU Medicine Children’s Transport Team

• Blood pressure and nutritional screenings, Project REACH

• Diabetes prevention/exercise promotion education, WVU Student Nurses’ Association 

“Our goal is to provide an inclusive event where people can enjoy the festivities while receiving services and information that will be helpful to their personal health and wellness,” said Gregory Epps, advisor to the sponsoring student organizations.

The Expo is supported by the WVU Health Sciences Center, WVU Medicine, the NASA WV Space Grant Consortium, and other campus and community partners. 

For more information, contact Epps at gdepps@hsc.wvu.edu.