Santa Clara County top exec admits county ‘dropped the ball’ in baby’s fentanyl death
Baby Phoenix Castro was only 3-months-old when she died of fentanyl and methamphetamine poisoning on May 13. SAN JOSE – Santa Clara County’s top executive acknowledged Saturday that county agencies in charge of protecting children made mistakes in allowing a father with a history of drug abuse to care for his 3-month-old daughter Phoenix Castro, who died of a fentanyl and methamphetamine overdose in May.
The report – released Friday evening to the Bay Area News Group – was delivered to the county in February after the state Department of Social Services received “concerns” that the county counsel’s office was making key decisions that could leave children in danger. Phoenix was born in February, the same month the state delivered its report to the county. The infant was exposed to fentanyl and methamphetamines while still in the womb, and her mother, Emily De La Cerda, was sent into drug treatment.
As part of that investigation, the state interviewed a dozen social workers, managers and supervisors last year. In its written response to the state report, the county defended its prioritization of family reunification, saying the practice is “based on increasingly clear evidence demonstrating the significant and lasting trauma children experience with even brief periods of removal from their family.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mother remembers daughter as Santa Cruz County celebrates All Souls DayTina Giuliano is KGUN 9's Northside reporter. Send your story ideas to Tina at tina.giulianokgun9.com.
Read more »
Second local multi-county pursuit this week ends with arrest in Baker CountyDeputies in Baker County ended a multi-county vehicle chase that began in Jacksonville on Friday.
Read more »
Second local multi-county pursuit this week ends with arrest in Baker CountyDeputies in Baker County ended a multi-county vehicle chase that began in Jacksonville on Friday.
Read more »
State Police obtain video of suspected rock throwers on I-83 overpass in York CountyVideo of alleged rock throwing on I-83 in York County obtained by State Police.
Read more »
Hendricks County to seek life sentence without parole in state trooper's deathProsecutors are seeking life in prison without parole for Eddie Jones, who is accused of killing Indiana State Police Trooper Aaron Smith.
Read more »
Bicyclist dead after being hit while traveling south on State Road A1A in St. Johns CountyThe bicyclist, a 47-year-old man, was hit while traveling south on State Road A1A, south of Mikler Road in St. Johns County, just after 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Read more »