Ten social workers placed on leave after foster death

Santa Clara County placed at least 10 social workers on paid administrative leave after a 2-year-old boy in their foster care system died in San Jose. The child was living with a relative caregiver at the time. (kentucky.com) The toddler's death on April 13 prompted immediate protests outside the county's child welfare offices. Demonstrators demanded accountability from social services. (nbcbayarea.com) County officials confirmed the leave status for the workers involved in the case but provided no further details on their roles or the investigation. The action followed a review by the county's social services agency. (sanjoseinside.com) California's Department of Social Services launched a probe into the placement, alongside an internal county investigation and a review by the county district attorney's office. These probes examine compliance with state foster care standards. (mercurynews.com) Foster care systems place children removed from unsafe homes with vetted relatives or licensed families to ensure safety and stability. Relative caregivers, known as kinship providers, must undergo background checks and training but face fewer barriers than non-relatives. (cdss.ca.gov) This marks the latest crisis for Santa Clara County's child welfare division, which has seen at least five foster children die since 2023 amid allegations of oversight failures. A 2023 state audit criticized the county for inadequate monitoring of high-risk cases. (sfchronicle.com) Protesters, including foster youth advocates, gathered with signs reading "Children Deserve Better" and called for systemic reforms. "How many more deaths before change?" one demonstrator shouted during the rally. (ktvu.com) County supervisors responded by scheduling a May hearing to review child welfare policies and staffing shortages. Social services director Lori Crnkovich said the agency is "committed to transparency and child safety." (sccgov.org) The suspensions intensify pressure on the county, which serves over 1,400 foster children annually and has faced lawsuits over prior fatalities. Investigations could lead to policy overhauls or disciplinary actions. (bayareanewsgroup.com)