DCF Closed Bella Bond's Abuse Cases Prematurely, Report Finds
BOSTON (CBS) - A new report from the Office of the Child Advocate is highly critical of the handling of Bella Bond's case by the Department of Children and Families.
OCA says the little girl, whose body washed up on Deer Island back in June, was failed on many levels from a lack of good risk assessment to follow-up with social workers.
Director Maria Massaides says two cases of neglect against her mother Rachelle Bond should never have been closed in 2013. "The decision to close was based on insufficient rather than current information."
OCA says given Rachelle Bond's history of arrests, substance abuse and the fact that she lost parental rights for two other children should have triggered higher levels of DCF oversight.
By the time Bella Bond's body was found her mother had no contact with caseworkers or social services for eight months because she was out of jail with permanent housing.
"I think it's clear DCF needs to have more clarity around what to do if there are suspicions or indications of substance abuse and how to factor that information into the decision making process," said Massaides.
Ironically, Bella Bond's case was closed within days of DCF instituting reforms that might have forced caseworkers to give hers another look. It is a now familiar case of too little information sharing among state agencies, and Rachelle Bond's support network collapsed.
"She was not able to handle the stresses of her life and then reverted to the situation that ultimately led to Bella's death," said Massaides.
Rachelle Bond has been charged with helping to dispose of her daughter's body, while her boyfriend Michael McCarthy has been charged with murder.
DCF spokeswoman Andrea Grossman said the issues raised in the report are not new.
"The Department is grateful to the OCA for its thorough review of this tragic case," Grossman said. "Many of the issues raised in the report are already being addressed by the Baker administration's aggressive systemic reform effort, including the need for clear and consistent policies and increased management oversight. DCF is committed to providing staff with the necessary supports that child protection work demands and deserves."
