The Administration for Children’s Services released a report yesterday revealing policy holes that may have played a role in the case of Myls Dobson, the 4-year-old who tragically died last week after being abused by his caretaker.
At a press conference yesterday, Mayor de Blasio detailed the findings of ACS's report, pointing out several incidents in which the agency could have had better oversight. Notably, ACS was not aware that Myls’ father, Okee Wade, was incarcerated from September 2012 to February 2013. And when the agency visited Myls on nine separate occasions, he was "doing well in the care of the woman Mr. Wade was dating at the time, who reported to ACS that Mr. Wade was at work," according to the mayor's press release. "Every time we went, we were told the father was working 16 hours a day and was not available," ACS commissioner Gladys Carrion sad yesterday. "Should we have done something differently? Yes, we should have."
It is unclear whether the caretaker was Kryzie King, 27, who allegedly beat, burned and starved Myls while he was in her care from December 18th until his death on January 8th. But though de Blasio did not comment on whether he found fault with ACS' handling of the case, he did point out that the report indicated policy changes needed to be made.
These changes include giving ACS expanded access to court documents so they can see caregivers' active arrests and access arrest and conviction information, in addition to working with the New York State Department of Parole and the New York City Department of Probation so the agencies can be notified if a caretaker is on parole or on probation when given custody. In addition, families will have to appear in family court before ACS can close the books on their cases. "The senseless death of Myls Dobson is a searing reminder that when it comes to safeguarding the lives of our children, we must devote every available resource to those agencies and organizations charged with protecting them," De Blasio said, noting he had "ordered every city agency with a role to play in improving the system to begin work immediately."
Myls' funeral will be held on Tuesday, with Rev. Al Sharpton set to eulogize the toddler. Wade, who is still behind bars in New Jersey, has been granted temporary release to attend. "I felt he was in reasonable care," he told reporters as he left jail on Thursday, noting that he'd spoken to Myls right before his arrest on the 19th; Myls allegedly told him he was having fun. He told reporters he'd known Myls' caretaker—who he named as Jay Monroe—for a year, after meeting him at a party, and had only planned to leave Myls with him temporarily. "I see a doorman downstairs, I'm not going to expect somebody's going to just do some craziness to my son."
