Following child deaths, Ohio lawmaker wants easier removals in abuse cases

COLUMBUS, Ohio — In the wake of five child deaths within just over a year, all involving children who had contact with Franklin County Children Services (FCCS), Ohio State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells says the system needs urgent reform.

"It's heartbreaking," Jarrells told 10 Investigates. "It's an opportunity for us to really have a hard conversation around our system of care."
The deaths, spanning 15 months, have sparked intense scrutiny of FCCS and how child welfare cases are handled. On Friday, 10 Investigates pressed FCCS officials for answers about how and when children are removed from unsafe environments.
"We don't have the unilateral authority to remove a child," said Emily Green, FCCS family services director. "We have to do so with the help of either law enforcement or juvenile court."
FCCS spokesperson Scott Varner echoed the complexity of child welfare decisions. "Each case is gonna be very different. I mean, I think that's the challenge," Varner said.
While acknowledging the nuances, Rep. Jarrells said his office is drafting legislation aimed at strengthening child protection laws.
"We have a youth ombudsman office in practice now. There's not enough teeth to the office itself to go in if there is actual evidence of child abuse," Jarrells said. "That they can go in, remove the child, do an investigation and see exactly what's going on in that home."
Jarrells also said the proposed bill would expand the list of mandatory reporters of child abuse, as well as improve the system on where they are placing children who are removed from their homes.
"I don't want to see a child removed from a home that was abusive, and they only find themselves in the criminal justice system because we lost them, right?" he said.
Jarrells hopes to introduce the legislation during the current General Assembly session.
In response to growing concerns, the Ohio Department of Children and Youth confirmed that more training is scheduled for case workers beginning next week. The department confirmed the move to 10 Investigates after repeated inquiries following the recent child deaths.