THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 31, 1994 TAG: 9407290017
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
In response to ``Mother found not guilty in fatal case of diaper rash'' (news, July 22): Once again, I am appalled by an article about child abuse and neglect in our area. Fatal diaper rash?
According to the article, the mother of seven children has been investigated by Child Protective Services workers on at least two other occasions. They said they found inadequate food, clothing and shelter for one (?) of these children. They also later confirmed sexual abuse and more evidence that the woman physically neglected her children.
During trial, her mental state was described ``in the borderline retardation level.'' I believe the wrong person(s) was tried. I suggest that the Child Protective Services workers be held responsible for the death of Megan and the neglect that Ms. Padilla's other six children have suffered over the past three years.
Maybe if agencies such as Child Protective Services (and the judges who return children to abusive parents) were held accountable for their neglect, there would be fewer cases such as this one.
God help the two children who have been returned to Ms. Padilla. Child Protective Services and the legal system certainly haven't been able to.
THERESA Z. DAVIS
Virginia Beach, July 25, 1994 by CNB