West Virginia
WSAZ Investigates | W.Va.’s Child Neglect Confidentiality Law
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.
Copyright 2024 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
West Virginia
Hot start propels Cincinnati to a game two win over West Virginia – Blue Gold Sports
Cincinnati (26-21, 21-11 Big 12) jumped out to a 7-0 start, which helped propelled the Bearcats to a game two win over West Virginia (28-17, 15-8 Big 12) on Saturday at UC Baseball Stadium in Cincinnati.
After scoreless first and second innings, Cincinnati would get on the board first when Hunter Jessee hit an RBI single to score Lauden Brooks to make it 1-0. Max Palmieri would then extend the lead to 4-0 when he hit a three-run home run to score Hunter Jessee, Josh Kross, and himself.
After a scoreless fourth inning, Cincinnati would extend the lead when Alec Jones hit a solo home run to make it 5-0 and then Kerrington Cross hit a two-run homer to score himself and Josh Hegemann to make it 7-0 after five.
After a scoreless sixth inning, West Virginia would finally get on the board when Reed Chumley hit a two-run homer in the top of the seventh to score himself and Kyle West to make it 7-2.
West Virginia then managed to load the bases in the top of the seventh but came away with nothing when they ended the inning with a double play that was upheld upon replay. Cincinnati then extended the lead to 9-2 when Kerrington Cross hit an RBI single to score Alec Jones then Lauden Brooks reached home plate on a fielder’s choice that was upheld upon replay.
The rain started to come down hard in the top of the eighth, which led to the game going into a weather delay. Coming out of the delay, Reed Chumley hit a two-run home run to score himself and Logan Sauve to cut the deficit to 9-4.
In the bottom of the eighth, Josh Kross hit a solo home run to extend the lead to 10-4. West Virginia was then retired in order in the top of the ninth to seal the win for Cincinnati.
Tommy Boba got the win for the Bearcats and moves to 4-5 on the season, while Derek Clark took the loss for the Mountaineers to fall to 5-2 on the season.
Five different Cincinnati batters recorded at least two hits as team as a whole recorded 14 hits on the afternoon, which included four total home runs. Reed Chumley was the lone Mountaineer to record more than one hit, as he recorded three of them with two of them being home runs.
Game three of the series is set for 1 p.m. tomorrow at UC Baseball Stadium in Cincinnati with the game available to watch on ESPN+.
West Virginia
WATCH | Fallen West Virginia firefighter honored
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -A firefighter killed while serving our community last year will have his name added to the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial.
Forester and Wildland Firefighter Cody Mullens, 28, of the West Virginia Division of Forestry, was fighting a wildland fire in Fayette County WV in April of 2023 when a tree fell and killed him.
Memorial services held for W.Va. Division of Forestry worker
This year’s national tribute will honor 89 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2023 and 137 firefighters who died in previous years at the 43rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service is on May 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.
“National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to pause and reflect on the heroic efforts and selfless service of the fallen firefighters we are paying tribute to this year,” said NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro. “We will always remember the bravery, commitment, and sacrifices of each of these 226 heroes—and their families.”
The American flag will be lowered to half-staff on all Federal buildings on Sunday, May 5. The public is also encouraged to lower their American flags that day to recognize the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Copyright 2024 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
West Virginia
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation honors two of West Virginia's own – WV MetroNews
EMMITSBURG, MD — Two fallen West Virginia firefighters will be honored this weekend in ceremonies in Maryland as a part of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host the 43rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend Saturday night and Sunday morning in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Eighty-nine firefighters died in the line of duty in 2023 and 137 firefighters died in previous years.
“National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to pause and reflect on the heroic efforts and selfless service of the fallen firefighters we are paying tribute to this year,” said NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro. “We will always remember the bravery, commitment, and sacrifices of each of these 226 heroes and their families.”
The following West Virginia firefighters will be honored:
Forester/Wildland Firefighter Cody Mullens, 28, of the West Virginia Division of Forestry. Jones was fighting a wildland fire in Fayette County on April 13, 2023 when a tree fell and killed him.
Firefighter Ronald “Ron” Strosnider, 75, of the Capon Valley Volunteer Fire Department in Wardensville. Strosnider was responding to an emergency medical call at a residence on October 20, 2023 when he became ill at the scene. He went into cardiac arrest while being transported to a hospital. Strosnider’s cause of death was determined to be sinus bradycardia.
Each firefighter will have their name inscribed on a bronze plaque to give them a permanent place in the National Memorial. More information about the 226 firefighters being memorialized can be found on the 2024 Roll of Honor.
The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday and will be hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.
The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is Sunday at 10 a.m. and will be hosted by actor Jeremy Holm. Thousands of attendees are expected at Sunday’s Memorial Service.
The NFFF will live stream both events on the NFFF’s website, firehero.org, and on their YouTube channel and Facebook page.
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