Jackson gravely disappointed in lack of progress on child protection
This week, Jan. 27, was the final day for House Bills to be heard in committee. Last week, a bill authored by State Rep. Carolyn B. Jackson (D-Hammond) to increase protection for Children in Need of Services (CHINS) was removed from the hearing schedule in the House Committee on Family, Children and Human affairs following the Department of Child Services asking the committee chair to remove the bill. In 2024, 59 children died in Indiana from abuse and neglect.
In many of these cases, including the tragic case of five-year-old Kinsleigh Welty who died from malnourishment and neglect, DCS closed their case without physically evaluating the child.
“The current system of protecting children is not working. Too many of our babies have been failed by DCS,” Jackson said. “59 children were left to suffer and die from abuse and neglect. We cannot allow our babies to slip through the cracks like this.
“I authored a bill to require a physical examination of children under the age of five about whom a report of neglect or abuse has been filed. As documents from a lawsuit allege, this measure could have saved Kinsleigh Welty and potentially more children.
“The chairman of the committee on Family, Children and Human Affairs pulled my bill from being heard because DCS asked him to. Instead of collaborating to find a solution to some of the concerns, the issue was abandoned completely. I recognize the important work that DCS does, however, there is clearly the need for reforming their protocol surrounding child abuse and neglect. Their current policies are not working. The state should be focused on the children who need protecting, not protecting the agency who is failing children.
“I am deeply disappointed in the chairman’s decision not to hear my bill before the committee deadline. I sincerely hope we can collaborate in the second half of session to make real progress on ensuring DCS doesn’t allow more kids like Kinsleigh to fall through the cracks.”