The Department for Children and Families is charged with protecting the state’s most vulnerable population – abused and neglected children.
Yet the department has seen intense scrutiny in recent months because two toddlers that had been in state custody died after alleged physical abuse.
Chittenden County State's Attorney T.J. Donovan asked the Vermont state police to investigate the latest case: the death of 15-month old Peighton Geraw of Winooski who died hours after being seen by a DCF caseworker.
Peighton's mother, 28-year-old Nytosha Laforce, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of second-degree murder in the death of her son.
On Thursday, Donovan released the results of an investigation into DCF’s potential role in the tragedy. He says there was no criminal conduct by the DCF worker John Salter. And he says says the tragedy happened, even though all agencies involved followed proper procedure.
