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Involve Cops Early

Involve Cops Early

To the Editor:

Why would any reasonable, knowledgeable person depend on the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) for insuring the safety and welfare of a 7-year-old victim of violent child abuse? This is a relatively impotent agency when it comes to child abuse and neglect, notwithstanding some very dedicated employees. The case of Nixzmary Brown is what the New York Police Department is there for.

It's important to find out whether ACS dropped the ball, and whether it called the police when the situation and suspicions of abuse became more serious in December.

Reports indicate that the physical abuse of Nixzmary Brown was well-known to parents and a School Social Worker, Margarita Cotto, at Nixzmary's school, P.S. 256. Cotto was reported to have made over a dozen calls to ACS, and was physically prevented from entering the home by stepfather and murder suspect Cesar Rodriguez.

After reports of suspected abuse in May 2005, there were further reports of neglect and abuse until Dec. 1, when the child showed up in school with a black eye, stomach pain, and she could barely walk. However, the injured child was not removed from the home, and later in the month ACS employees were prevented from entering the home.

ACS Commissioner John Mattingly said that while ACS considered getting a warrant to enter the child's home, officials never did get the warrant and never attempted to interview the family with the police when they were refused entry. What were he and his agency waiting for? How far does suspected abuse have to go before Mattingly and his staff get as alarmed as Margarita Cotto was?

If the police are called in such a situation (credible evidence of child abuse), they are required to enter the home and see the alleged victim and the situation in the home. If refused entry in such a situation, the procedure is to force their way in, arrest any persons who obstruct them, and check out the home and the alleged victim. The police don't need a warrant and can act immediately when a child may be in danger.

Sure, ACS dropped the ball, but the lesson here is to get the police involved early and constantly when a child's health and safety are at stake.

MICHAEL J. GORMAN

Editor's note: The writer is a retired NYPD Lieutenant and an attorney.