System Failure

Somehow, our state system has failed when local caseworkers for DCF, working on the Allain child abuse case, failed to recognize problems within that home. Every aspect of that home should have been documented during each home visit by caseworkers for the DCF. Signs of weight loss, changes in the children's temperament, the cleanliness of the home, type of food being feed to the children, to the clothing provided for the children, etc. should have been documented monthly in this case ( and all cases). The child's weight alone should have sent up red flags that something was wrong. What responsible parent provides a daily diet of cereal and Ramen noodles for a small child and expects the child to be healthy? This child weighed 35 lb. at 7 years old and while under the custody of the Allain's, she lost even more weight, to the low 29 lb at 10 years old. What in the world were these caseworkers thinking when the home visits were made to check on this little girl and her older brother? This is a classic case of failure to thrive for this little girl, not only with the deprivation of nourishment by food, but the lack of any bonding, or love, by a mother or father figure in this home. DCF needs to be asked tough questions into conjunction with this case, as the Allains go on trial for child abuse. DCF caseworkers should also be held responsible for the care these two children received in the home of the Allain's. It breaks one's heart to see children, like this swept aside in our society in this day and age.