In a result that should come as no surprise, Wanda Larson, the lead child protection supervisor for the Department of Social Services in Union County, North Carolina; was fired yesterday for abusing five children under her care and forcing them to live in disgusting conditions.
Lawson, who headed a group of child-protection investigators for the agency, faces child abuse and other charges after an 11-year-old boy under her legal care was found chained to the porch of her rural home, a dead chicken tied around his neck.
In a blistering letter informing Larson of her firing, Richard Matens, the county’s human services director, accused the 10-year DSS employee of violating the public trust and ignoring her responsibilities to protect children – her own.
“The conditions uncovered in your own home, for your adoptive children and the child for whom you have guardianship, are appalling,” Matens wrote.
“You have a responsibility in your official capacity to ensure that children are not subjected to such conditions, and you would have had a duty to initiate a report and investigation had you observed children in such conditions in another home.
“The negligence you have shown in this situation has detrimentally affected the trust and confidence placed in you as a social work supervisor by this agency. Your actions represent a blatant disregard for the ethical conduct and sound judgment vital to your position.”
In hindsight, this result was preordained. The only surprise is that it took this long. The 11-year-old had been chained outside his home half an hour south of Charlotte despite temperatures that morning that had dipped into the mid-20s. When sheriff's deputies arrived to investigate, they found
feces on the floor and no running water. The smell was so strong that
it was still lingering in the yard two days later.
Larson's head may have been the first to roll in this case, but in all likelihood, it won't be the last. If I had to hazard a guess, one of the next heads on the chopping block may be Larson's immediate supervisor, Union County DSS director Rae Alepa. However, it was Matens--who, as human services director, oversees DSS--who wrote the letter. To my mind, it looks like Alepa may be living on borrowed time, and with good reason. Reports have come out that the 11-year-old's biological family made numerous complaints, but they all fell on deaf ears. Additionally, it turns out that Larson was forced to surrender her Alaska nursing license back in 1990 due to unprofessional conduct.
According to a local children's advocate, Larson's treatment of the children directly under her care is just the tip of the iceberg.
"In every case, Mrs. Larson has failed the system," said Jeff Gerber. He is the Founder of the 'Justice For All Coalition' and said he has been in contact with numerous people who have had direct contact with Larson.
They claim Larson relished her authority as supervisor but failed to carry out her duties to look into cases that had substantial evidence of abuse or by "prematurely closing many cases."
The Coalition plans to have as many as eight speakers share their experiences of injustice received when reporting suspected neglect Monday.
According to those speakers, "If you cross Mrs. Larson, or did not do as she ordered, you would be terminated."
Gerber said many want to shed light on her negligence and call for their case to be reviewed and reopened.
"The actions of Mrs. Larson are absolutely criminal, dereliction of duty," Gerber said.
He is certain more disturbing information will come forward and possibly more charges brought against her.
"I can only hope and pray we didn't lose any children because of her negligence," he said.
Given the conditions found in Larson's home, it's only a question of how many other instances of abuse weren't investigated properly.
On a happier note, the five kids--four adopted by Larson, and the 11-year-old for which she was legal guardian--are now being cared for in Davidson County, halfway between Charlotte and Greensboro. SOP in this state calls for another county to take over the investigation of a case involving a DSS employee. If you want to send money, make out checks to the Carolyn Phillips Fund, which helps all foster children in Davidson County. Davidson County was unable to set up a dedicated fund for the five kids. Here's the address (I haven't been able to find a way to donate online yet):
Davidson County Department of Social Services
PO Box 788
Lexington, NC 27293
Attention: Fiscal Unit
You can also send toys, DVDs and other gifts to Davidson County DSS as well. Clothing isn't needed. Here's the address:
Davidson County Department of Social Services
PO Box 788
Lexington, NC 27293
Attention: Lindsay Caffey