An Oklahoma lawmaker and a child advocacy group are now calling for a grand jury investigation into the state's Department of Human Services (DHS) over its handling of child abuse cases.
Rep. Justin "J.J" Humphrey, R-OK, on Monday, announced that he joined the Oklahoma State NAACP and the advocacy group Oklahomans for Children's Rights in filing a petition with the county District Court to request for a grand jury investigation into the DHS.
"It is time the Oklahoma people take back our government. We believe that people in the government knew (abuse) was going on and allowed it to happen," Humphrey said.
What Was Included in the Petition?
In the petition, the group listed 10 allegations against the department and state agencies it routinely works with on cases of child abuse. Some of these allegations included:
- Failing to report the abuse of children
- Falsifying, changing, destroying, or withholding documents and evidence that will show crimes against children in Oklahoma
- Intentionally committing fraud and perjury to cover up crimes against children.
- Withheld evidence of child abuse to protect criminals within the state's human services department
- Failure to provide a structure to give child abuse victims the services they need to recover
- Failure to oversee children who have been separated from their families
- Conspired with publicly elected officials and obstructed investigations to bring justice to child abuse victims and vulnerable adults
- Seized and ordered child or financial support without proper documents or authority
The petition would now need to get a minimum of 500 signatures from multiple counties to convene a grand jury.
What Is Oklahoma DHS' Response
Following Humphrey's announcement, DHS spokesperson Casey White said they "advocate" for transparency and are prepared to fully cooperate should there be any investigation into the agency.
The petition comes after DHS executive director Deborah Shropshire suddenly resigned in August following reports of abuse and neglect at the Tulsa County Family Center for Juvenile Justice and the Robert M. Greer Center in Enid.
Enid's Greer Center treats people suffering from developmental disabilities and mental or behavioral conditions. On top of abuse allegations, the center was also said to have continuously missed reporting deadlines for cases of suspected abuse or neglect.
