12-10-2010, 03:26 PM
ANOTHER instance of childrens' services taking heat. they often deserve it. i know they are overwhelmed, overloaded, underpaid.
WDBJ7
At least two phone calls were made to Social Services in the days before Brittany Mae Smith disappeared. Those calls were from relatives who were afraid something wasn't right with Jeff Easley and Brittany living in the same house.
A family member called Halifax County Social Services last week and social services confirms that a person who called there got a referral number.
Brittany's step-grandmother told News 7 that she called and made a complaint but was told if there is no physical evidence then nothing can be done.
The Regional Social Services Director would not comment on this specific case because of privacy laws, but Susan Reese said social services workers take children's welfare seriously.
"If we think a child is in danger at all or is in danger of being sexually abused then that's going to be an immediate response," Reese said. "A lot of times when there are situations like this a lot of rumors get started that just aren't true and because of confidentiality a lot of times social sevices can not respond to set the record straight,"
The Social Services Department has been slammed on national cable television programs for ignoring calls while workers enjoyed a Christmas Party. News 7 asked Reese about that.
"That was not true. The agency involved in that situation they're talking about is Halifax County Department of Social Services. There was a Christmas party, however, the agency had staff there," Reese said. "They had staff manning the front desk. They had staff manning the lines for child protective services as well as all the other program services. Social Services never closes down without emergency personnel there."
Thursday afternoon the Halifax County Department of Social Services released the following statement:
“The Halifax County Department of Social Services is committed to protecting children and their families. We will assist law enforcement in any way possible to affect the safe return of Brittany Smith. Halifax has reviewed reporting procedures and has determined that appropriate procedures are in place and were followed.”
Meanwhile Brittany Mae Smith's step-grandmother who is Tina Smith's mom said she hopes Social Services will make the records public. Eliabeth Dyer said she could not say anything more because police have asked her not to speak to the media about the case.
WDBJ7
At least two phone calls were made to Social Services in the days before Brittany Mae Smith disappeared. Those calls were from relatives who were afraid something wasn't right with Jeff Easley and Brittany living in the same house.
A family member called Halifax County Social Services last week and social services confirms that a person who called there got a referral number.
Brittany's step-grandmother told News 7 that she called and made a complaint but was told if there is no physical evidence then nothing can be done.
The Regional Social Services Director would not comment on this specific case because of privacy laws, but Susan Reese said social services workers take children's welfare seriously.
"If we think a child is in danger at all or is in danger of being sexually abused then that's going to be an immediate response," Reese said. "A lot of times when there are situations like this a lot of rumors get started that just aren't true and because of confidentiality a lot of times social sevices can not respond to set the record straight,"
The Social Services Department has been slammed on national cable television programs for ignoring calls while workers enjoyed a Christmas Party. News 7 asked Reese about that.
"That was not true. The agency involved in that situation they're talking about is Halifax County Department of Social Services. There was a Christmas party, however, the agency had staff there," Reese said. "They had staff manning the front desk. They had staff manning the lines for child protective services as well as all the other program services. Social Services never closes down without emergency personnel there."
Thursday afternoon the Halifax County Department of Social Services released the following statement:
“The Halifax County Department of Social Services is committed to protecting children and their families. We will assist law enforcement in any way possible to affect the safe return of Brittany Smith. Halifax has reviewed reporting procedures and has determined that appropriate procedures are in place and were followed.”
Meanwhile Brittany Mae Smith's step-grandmother who is Tina Smith's mom said she hopes Social Services will make the records public. Eliabeth Dyer said she could not say anything more because police have asked her not to speak to the media about the case.