The recent report from Maine’s Child Welfare Ombudsman highlights significant problems within the Office of Child and Family Services OCFS.
Among the nine cases cited, the report points out multiple instances where children were not adequately protected despite caseworker investigations.
These include a child hospitalized for severe malnutrition, another left in an abusive environment with a registered sex offender, and a tragic case where an infant died after ingesting fentanyl and cocaine.
The Ombudsman’s findings indicate that out of 80 cases reviewed this year, 44 had substantial issues, affecting both child safety and the rights of parents.
Child welfare advocate Bill Diamond expressed concerns that these failures are part of an ongoing pattern, with similar issues appearing in previous reports.
He stressed that the department’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of children, which he believes is not being met.
In response, OCFS Director Bobbi Johnson acknowledged the report’s findings, agreeing that the department is short-staffed and that caseworkers face significant pressure.
She also highlighted efforts to improve practices, such as hiring additional supervisors and focusing on prevention programs to ensure child safety. Despite these challenges, she maintains that the department is protecting at-risk children.