A Los Angeles County investigation was launched by the Board of Supervisors into the death of a 1-year-old baby from Canoga Park who may have died of malnourishment as a result of alleged neglect over a period of several months, despite the family being visited by a county social worker.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday, Dec. 17, to begin an investigation that could open a case file on the tragic death of the infant who died on July 1.
Baby girl Thyri Wood was found dead in her crib and may have shown signs of a lack of food, according to news reports and county sources.
A case file was not opened by the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services, according to news reports and county sources. Sources said that the launching of the investigation would rectify that, and would also shed more light on the baby’s death.
The baby girl, who was about 16-months old, reportedly was left alone with her 11-year-old brother after their mother left the home, leaving the baby, the 11-year-old and other children to fend for themselves for several days.
The boy did not have enough food and was feeding the baby French fries and jelly, according to news reports.
An autopsy was performed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office, specifically by Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Juan Carrillo, according to county documents. However, the cause of death is listed by the county coroner as “undetermined after autopsy” and the manner of death was listed as “undetermined” in the document.
Detectives from the LAPD told the County Department of Children and Family Services the baby was “malnourished” and had “sunken eyes,” the Los Angeles Times reported. The newspaper also reported that DCFS had toured the Canoga Park apartment, found food in the refrigerator and found that the infant appeared happy.
No case file was opened, according to county sources.
The LAPD did not provide a report or further information on the case after several inquiries were made by the Los Angeles Daily News. LAPD is investigating the death and is exploring the cause of death, according to county documents.
A detective from the LAPD Juvenile Division said the department cannot discuss the case because it is under investigation.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, whose district includes Canoga Park and the San Fernando Valley, initiated the motion that was approved by the full board on Tuesday.
“While we wait to learn more about the infant’s cause of death, we must assess the resources, services, and programs in place throughout Los Angeles County to ensure that children stay safe and well cared for in their homes when there is a suspicion of child abuse and neglect and open investigation,” read the motion by Horvath.
In an earlier statement, Horvath called the baby’s death “an absolute tragedy.”
After the vote to move forward with an investigation, DCFS released the following statement:
“The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) welcomes a thorough examination of the facts of some of our most complex cases and a thoughtful review of the practices and protocols applied. Child welfare cases are rarely clear cut and tragedies are sobering reminders that there are families in under-resourced communities whose acute personal challenges can quickly escalate when they do not have access to adequate support.”
The investigation will be headed up by the county’s Office of Child Protection (OCP), sources said. OCP, along with the county counsel, will “conduct a full investigation” into all county departments that may have been involved or had any contact with the family, including the Department of Children and Family Services, according to county documents.
In addition, OCP will investigate who made contact with the family, and whether anyone called medical authorities to check on the infant.
It will also conduct a review of DCFS case workers who may have visited the Canoga Park apartment of the family, their professional experience, length of service, and root out “any systemic issues that may have impeded the coordination of services.”
The motion also asks for a report back to the board with an assessment of the county departments and personnel who handle calls about children who are possibly being neglected or otherwise in danger.
Allegations of child abuse or neglect may be reported seven days a week, 24-hours a day, at 1-800-540-4000, said DCFS.
