The director of the Santa Clara County Child Welfare Agency is under increased scrutiny after the fentanyl-related death of a 3-month-old infant exposed the agency’s problematic practices of confining children in unsafe homes. However, this week, he announced the following: to resign.
Damion Wright, who took over as director of the Department of Family and Children Services several months after the infant’s death in May 2023, said in a letter to staff that the father’s recent death had caused him to take another job in Southern California. He said he encouraged the decision. The Mercury News reported Thursday.
Damion Wright, Santa Clara County Director of Family and Children Services.
(Santa Clara County)
Wright previously served as deputy director of the agency, which investigates allegations of child abuse and neglect throughout the county, but over the past year the agency has worked to “strengthen workplace practices that prioritize child safety.” He said he was confident that he had made great progress.
“By adhering to the path forward we have set for safe children and safe communities, we can continue to keep vulnerable populations safe during this transition and beyond,” Wright’s letter said. I strongly believe that it can be done.”
Santa Clara County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas issued a short statement following Wright’s announcement, wishing him success in his new job and continuing to work with the county administration and Department of Family and Children Services on reform. We are determined to continue cooperating.” [they] We started together. ”
Wright’s resignation comes about a year after the station came under the watchful eye of Bay Area News Group. Bay Area News Group launched an investigation into the department following the death of Phoenix Castro, a 3-month-old infant who died after ingesting a fatal dose of fentanyl. Methamphetamine in San Jose.
Hospital officials notified child welfare authorities due to concerns about Phoenix’s health, the paper said. The baby was experiencing withdrawal symptoms related to his mother’s drug use during pregnancy, the news group said.
Despite warnings from a social worker who was already overseeing the cases of the couple’s two older children, the welfare agency allowed the infant to be sent home.
Phoenix’s father, David Castro, 38, is currently charged with felony child endangerment in connection with the incident. The infant’s mother, Emily de la Cerda, 39, died of a fentanyl overdose four months after her daughter was born.
The news group discovered other drug-related infant deaths as part of its investigation. It also found that a state investigation into local human services agencies found Santa Clara County’s legal team often removed children from unsafe homes, ignoring recommendations from social workers and supervisors. .
The news group reported that the defense team’s influence was part of a shift in the county’s policy to keep children with their families, but tragically put them in dangerous situations. It also happened.
Wright said in his letter that his resignation date will be Jan. 17.
