Gov. Baker: ‘Series of Failures' by DCF Led to 2-Year-Old Foster Child's Death

Baker: There was a "blatant lack of oversight by DCF staff" in case of 2-year-old Avalena Conway-Coxon's death

A state report on the death of a 2-year-old girl in foster care says the Department of Children and Families failed to properly assess the foster mother and evaluate risks to children in her care.

Gov. Charlie Baker and DCF officials were briefing reporters on the investigation Thursday following the DCF report. They said corrective actions have been ordered.

"In this case, the report made clear that there were many instances of blatant lack of oversight by DCF staff," Baker said.

Authorities have said Avalena Conway-Coxon and an unidentified second girl, also about 2, were found unresponsive Aug. 15 at an Auburn apartment complex 45 miles west of Boston after their foster mother called 911.

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The second child survived in critical condition.

Police have not disclosed the cause of death. The DCF says medical findings suggest the children suffered heat stroke.

The report says the UMass doctor's finding include a "bruising pattern" that "may have resulted from child struggling against car seat restraints, though pattern of injury not definitive."

No charges have been filed.

The report confirms a DCF worker saw Samara with a rash on her body three days before both girls were found unresponsive, but Commissioner Spears said DCF response to that was deemed "adequate."

And on two occasions - including a 51A filed in March - case workers were notified the foster mother Kim Malpass may have had her boyfriend A.J. Mallett, a convicted felon, living in the home.

Malpass was questioned but the claims were never fully investigated.

"The failure to recognize and report certain issues with this foster home and parent is unacceptable," the governor said.

Since the investigation began, a line social worker and a supervisor assigned to this case have been reassigned.

"They've been assigned to administrative duties, no case work responsibilities in order for us to go through the deliberative and fair process of show cause hearings," Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders said.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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