A heavily redacted Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) report is offering a deeper look into Adams County Children and Youth Services (CYS).
The County’s District Attorney Brian Sinnett on Tuesday said Adams County CYS failed 15-month-old Iris Mummert, who was murdered by her mother in 2020.
After the death of a child that is in the care of CYS, the county must put together a report about the incident and make note of what can be done better next time.
DHS reviewed the Adams County report and noted a number of changes that needed to be made.
The 10-page DHS report notes the strength, deficiencies, and recommended changes found by both Adams County and the state.
Under recommendations for changes at the state and local levels to reduce the likelihood of future child abuse fatalities, Adams County CYS’s report had no recommendations listed.
However, a review by DHS identified weaknesses by the county in Iris’s case.
DHS identified that although family meetings were held every three months by Adams County CYS, not all service providers were invited to address their concerns. They also found that services were not established prior to the children returning home in Feb. 2020.
The DHS report also noted Adams County CYS would be receiving a citation related to those services consistent with the level of risk. The citation said services to support the safety and welfare of Iris and her older sister were not established prior to the children returning to their mothers care.
Adams County CYS noted in the report that one of their strengths in Iris’s case was good teaming between CYS and providers.
However, a statewide investigating Grand Jury presentment showed multiple service providers expressed concerns about Ellis to Adams County CYS. It indicated service providers were not consulted during the decision-making process about reunification. It also noted the Pennsylvania Model Risk Assessment Form approved by Adams County CYS indicated only a “moderate” risk to the Iris and her sister.
Three Adams County CYS workers were charged on Tuesday with felony child endangerment in relation to Iris’s case. Those individuals are caseworker Steven Murphy; his supervisor Clarissa Kiessling, and the CYS assistant administrator, Sherri Depasqua.
In response to those charges, DHS issued a statement to CBS 21 News, it said:
“DHS will work with Adams County to support their child welfare workforce and ensure the agency is operating within the law to provide Adams County families and children with the support and protection they need.”
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