With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
California Considers Law That Could Keep Child Death Records Secret
Gabriel Fernandez (Photo via Facebook)
()
In 2008, California passed a law that allowed reporters to have access to social worker case notes and other files. Those came in handy in the case of Gabriel Fernandez, an 8-year-old in Palmdale who was basically tortured to death by his mom and her boyfriend. Case worker files revealed an extra layer of tragedy in his death: county social workers missed red flags that could have saved Fernandez. This information led to social workers losing their jobs and reforms at the county level aimed at preventing another case like Fernandez's.
Now the California Department of Social Services has drafted a bill that would make it harder for the public to get information about specific cases like Fernandez's. The Los Angeles Times got their hands on a draft of the bill, which they describe this way:
But the bill currently under consideration would relax deadlines for the release of records, and keep the names of social workers secret. It would deny the public access to original case notes, instead providing abbreviated summaries of how the government attempted to protect vulnerable children. It would also exclude the public from reviewing case files concerning children who were killed by their parents' boyfriends or girlfriends.
Although the siblings of children who died of abuse or neglect are already able to object to having information about them released, the new bill allows for the lawyers of children indirectly involved in the case to object as well.
Bill Grimm, a senior attorney at the National Center for Youth Law, who lobbied for the landmark 2008 law, was particularly disturbed by this bill that would allow government agencies to offer up their own summaries of what happened. He told the Times, "What we fought for was the production of the actual documents and not ... the county's version of what happened."
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent. -
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures.
Best of LAist