It’s an outrage to read that 2-year-old Mitchell Robinson died after an overdose of fentanyl, writes Business Report founder Rolfe McCollister in his new opinion piece. This after the toddler was twice hospitalized previously with a similar overdose in the months leading up to his death and DCFS had received three alarming reports about him.
Was this negligence, incompetence, stupidity … or all three? Who is in charge? McCollister asks.
There can be no excuses and the buck stops at the top with DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner. She has been in charge for almost seven years, appointed by Gov. John Bel Edwards. The governor must either own this and condone it—or fire her.
Garner wants to rewind more than seven years to cuts instituted under then-Gov. Bobby Jindal, yet, as The Advocate points out, “Edwards pledged that he understood what was necessary for DCFS to fulfill its promise to the people of Louisiana.”
And “while Edwards has not made further cuts, he also has done little to rebuild the agency—or even to call attention to its plight.” Why no major changes in seven years?
It seems the Legislature carries some blame as well. “Former foster children who have testified at the Capitol often say their experiences in the child welfare system made them feel invisible and voiceless. Their relative lack of lobbying muscle has affected the way that child welfare is perceived by lawmakers,” The Advocate wrote.
After detailing all state government didn’t do in the case of Mitchell Robinson, whose mother has been charged with second-degree murder, The Advocate went on to list other tragedies involving children that will break your heart.
Juvenile Court Judge Adam Haney said this to The Advocate, “At this point, everybody is well aware of the problems, the question is, is it going to get fixed?”
McCollister also calls out judges who set low bonds, saying they need to be held accountable for allowing those arrested out of jail—to commit more crimes.
McCollister would like to see a public record available for all repeat offenders out on bond, the amount of the bond and the name of the judge who granted it, saying that would be good information to have when judges are seeking reelection.
And speaking of elections, McCollister lists his personal endorsements for the Nov. 8 election. (Business Report does not make endorsements.)
Read McCollister’s full column from the latest edition of Business Report here.
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