DCF Under Fire

Stories on the fallout at the state Department of Children and Families after the deaths of children under the agency's supervision.

Gov. Baker: DCF Policy Changes Helping, But More Work Needs To Be Done

"The job of improving how the state cares for its most vulnerable children is probably never done," the governor said.

Local Coverage

Mar 28, 2016

Child Advocate Report Calls For More Reforms At DCF

A new report from the Office of the Child Advocate says while "considerable effort" has been made to reform the agency in the last year, there's more work to be...

Local Coverage

Nov 20, 2015

Baker Announces Policy Changes For State's Embattled Child Welfare Agency

The policies address various issues raised in the wake of several tragic cases involving children who had some interaction with the embattled agency.

Local Coverage

Nov 17, 2015

Bella Bond, in an undated photo (Courtesy Massachusetts State Police Facebook page)

Work Of DCF Employee Involved With Bella Bond Case Being Examined

A report released this week found that caseworkers largely copied years-old information while assessing Rachelle Bond's ability to parent following allegations of abuse or neglect.

Local Coverage

Oct 30, 2015

Report Finds DCF Prematurely Closed Bella Bond Neglect Cases

The report found DCF failed to properly assess Rachelle Bond's ability to parent -- particularly in light of her losing custody of her two other children in 2001 and 2006....

Local Coverage

Oct 28, 2015

Report Finds 'Blatant Lack Of Oversight By DCF' In Licensing Of Foster Home Where Toddler Died

The internal investigation into the case also revealed that the 2-year-old suffered from heat stroke, indicating "prolonged exposure to a high temperature environment."

Local Coverage

Oct 1, 2015

Gov. Charlie Baker, left, and Peter MacKinnon, DCF Chapter President of SEIU Local 509, speak about Baker's reforms on Monday. (Antonio Caban/State House News Service)

Gov. Baker Announces Reforms For Embattled DCF

The reforms include a new intake process, a new supervisor policy and the reopening of the central Massachusetts regional DCF office.

Local Coverage

Sep 28, 2015

Baker Says Work Continues To Improve DCF Protocols

In the wake of the death of another child who was at one point involved with the agency, Baker says his administration is prioritizing reworking the DCF's intake policy, which...

Local Coverage

Sep 22, 2015

Rachelle Dee Bond, 40, and Michael McCarthy, 35, are being charged in the death of 2 ½-year-old Bella Bond, whose body was found in late June on Deer Island in Winthrop. (Courtesy Suffolk County District Attorney)

Girl Found Dead On Deer Island Identified As Bella, Mother And Man Face Charges

Two people are being charged in the "Baby Doe" case, including the girl's mother, Suffolk County DA Dan Conley announced Friday. The girl has been identified as Bella Bond.

Local Coverage

Sep 18, 2015

Report: Caseload Overwhelms Child Welfare Agency

Overwhelming caseloads and ineffective management have set up DCF social workers to fail, according to a critical new review released Wednesday by the state's Child Advocate.

Local Coverage

Sep 9, 2015

DCF Failed To Protect Hardwick Boy Allegedly Abused By His Father, Report Finds

"I would argue that this is a failure, systemically, of many of the players involved," Gov. Charlie Baker said.

Local Coverage

Sep 4, 2015

Report Documents Abuse, Neglect Of Children In State Care

The annual report from the state's child advocate shows 184 children who were in the custody of DCF were the victims of supported allegations of mistreatment in 2014.

Local Coverage

Sep 1, 2015

2-Year-Old Foster Child Laid To Rest As Probe Continues

Officials haven't said what killed Avalena and landed another young girl living in the home in the hospital.

Local Coverage

Aug 21, 2015

Sister Defends Auburn Mother As Authorities Investigate Foster Child's Death

The foster mother was taking care of a 2-year-old girl, who died last weekend in what the mother's sister says was a "freak accident." The investigation is ongoing and no...

Local Coverage

Aug 20, 2015

Hardwick Man Accused Of Starving And Beating His Son Is Ordered Held On Bail

A Hardwick man charged with beating and starving his 7-year-old son who is now in a coma will remain jailed pending a trial.

Local Coverage

02:44Aug 19, 2015

Investigators Search Auburn Foster Home Where Toddlers Were Found Unresponsive

A 2-year-old child died, and a second foster child, a 22-month-old girl, remains hospitalized in "dire" condition.

Local Coverage

Aug 19, 2015

From Money To Morale, Challenges Still Seem To Face Mass. DCF

Executive Director of the Children's League of Massachusetts Erin Bradley discusses the state's embattled Department of Children and Families in the wake of another death of a child overseen by...

Local Coverage

06:35Aug 19, 2015

Lawmaker Who Led Last DCF Investigation Says Agency Needs More Money

Rep. David Linsky says the agency has made great progress since his report was issued last year, but that more funding is needed.

Local Coverage

05:12Aug 18, 2015

Officials Promise Thorough Investigation Into Death Of Auburn Foster Child, Injury To Another

So far, state human services officials have few answers about what happened to the 2-year-old girl found dead in a foster home or how a second child who lived there...

Local Coverage

06:01Aug 18, 2015

Gov. Charlie Baker speaks during a press conference Monday on the death of a 2-year-old foster child. He's joined by, from left to right, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, and Secretary of Public Safety and Security Daniel Bennett. (State House News Service)

Baker Says Investigation Into Death Of Auburn Foster Child Is 'All Hands On Deck'

An autopsy on the 2-year-old has been completed, but officials say investigators have come to “no conclusions of any kind” in the ongoing probe.

Local Coverage

Aug 17, 2015

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Gov. Baker: DCF Policy Changes Helping, But More Work Needs To Be Done

Child Advocate Report Calls For More Reforms At DCF

Baker Announces Policy Changes For State's Embattled Child Welfare Agency

Work Of DCF Employee Involved With Bella Bond Case Being Examined

Report Finds DCF Prematurely Closed Bella Bond Neglect Cases

Report Finds 'Blatant Lack Of Oversight By DCF' In Licensing Of Foster Home Where Toddler Died

Gov. Baker Announces Reforms For Embattled DCF

Baker Says Work Continues To Improve DCF Protocols

Girl Found Dead On Deer Island Identified As Bella, Mother And Man Face Charges

Report: Caseload Overwhelms Child Welfare Agency

DCF Failed To Protect Hardwick Boy Allegedly Abused By His Father, Report Finds

Report Documents Abuse, Neglect Of Children In State Care

2-Year-Old Foster Child Laid To Rest As Probe Continues

Sister Defends Auburn Mother As Authorities Investigate Foster Child's Death

Hardwick Man Accused Of Starving And Beating His Son Is Ordered Held On Bail

Investigators Search Auburn Foster Home Where Toddlers Were Found Unresponsive

From Money To Morale, Challenges Still Seem To Face Mass. DCF

Lawmaker Who Led Last DCF Investigation Says Agency Needs More Money

Officials Promise Thorough Investigation Into Death Of Auburn Foster Child, Injury To Another

Baker Says Investigation Into Death Of Auburn Foster Child Is 'All Hands On Deck'