CLEVELAND — The case worker and her supervisor who were responsible for handling the case involving Aniya Day-Garrett, the 4-year-old girl who was killed by her mother and mother’s boyfriend, were terminated by the Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services.
The system of failures that may have led to the death of Aniya included missed deadlines, poor guidance from supervisors and a lack of urgency to protect the little girl from her abusers, according to the termination letter provided by Cuyahoga County DCFS.
Lorra Greene, the case worker responsible for the last two referrals involving Aniya, was fired after her lack of performance in the case.
Cuyahoga County DCFS said that given the multiple reports of abuse with the physical injuries to corroborate the reports, Greene did not act with a sense of urgency to protect the girl.
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“Important allegations were not investigated vigorously or at all,” the termination letter stated.
The letter said that Greene failed to see Aniya as often as she should have and that she failed to use proper judgment or decision-making in the case.
Greene’s supervisor, Laura Cole, was also terminated by Cuyahoga County DCFS. The county claims that she failed to guide her staff efficiently and did not provide the urgency Aniya’s case needed.
The county said that Cole and Greene missed important deadlines to visit and check in on Aniya.
Cole is trying to get her job back with Cuyahoga County DCFS and an officer at the county’s personnel review committee recommended a 30-day suspension and reinstatement. That suggestion will be decided on by the full commission.
Aniya died from a stroke caused by a blow to the head about 10 days to two weeks before the day she was taken to the hospital, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office. Her mother, Sierra Day, and her mother’s boyfriend, Deontae Lewis, were found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison on March 20.
RELATED: Mother and her boyfriend found guilty of murdering 4-year-old Aniya Day-Garrett
Aniya’s father, Mickhal Garrett, plans to file a lawsuit against Cuyahoga County DCFS, seeking that everyone is held accountable for his child’s death.
RELATED: Attorney: Aniya Day-Garrett's father plans to file lawsuit against Children and Family Services
