No Easy Answers

After a tragedy sometimes reaction becomes overreaction.

The tragedy is the recent death of a ten month-old. A Hartford baby named Al-Lex Daniels. His mother's 23 year-old live-in boyfriend has been charged in the killing. Al-Lex's death was exactly what his relatives had feared, they said afterward, to authorities and to the press. They said they'd contacted the Department of Children and Families 30 times over many weeks, to warn the baby was in danger. Earlier those relatives had gone to court and gotten custody of Al-Lex's sister, who they said was being abused. But the baby was not removed by anyone.

Press reports have DCF sources saying they heard from the family only two times, not 30, but DCF spokesman Gary Kleebatt told us only that an investigation is underway. Meanwhile, some legislators weren't waiting for conclusions. A bill calling for the blanket removal of all children from a household where child abuse is suspected was quickly put together and passed by the state House of Representatives.

Here's where that overreaction comes in, we believe. Such a policy is too rigid. Yes, the DCF seems to have failed Baby Al-Lex, but every case is not the same. If all kids were able to be taken to perfect temporary homes, that would be one thing. But the system is overwhelmed and many children are traumatized or even abused once removed, only to be returned home when the investigation is over. These are complex stories to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. The state Senate should vote against this measure that seems to imply protecting children is simply a matter of ordering up the right words.