Texas CPS Worker Fired After Advising Teen to Be a Prostitute in Video Evidence

The Texas Child Protective Services (CPS) fired one of its workers after she was recorded on video advising a troubled 14-year-girl to work as a prostitute. The video came from the minor herself, who showed it to her mother.

Keisha Bazley, who has nine children, turned to the CPS for help because her 14-year-old daughter has been getting into trouble in school and would frequently run away from home. Bazley thought that the agency under the Department of Family and Protective Services could help straighten out her girl before she gets into more trouble.

The unnamed teen was placed at a Harris County hotel and was awaiting placement in foster care with the guidance of the CPS worker.

According to CBS Austin, whenever she asked for food, the CPS worker would tell her to try and become a sex worker so she would have money to eat. The 14-year-old decided she would video their next conversation, where the CPS worker again prodded her to work as a prostitute.

When Bazley saw the video, she filed a formal complaint with the agency.

CPS Commissioner personally apologized to the mother and teenager

Lawyer Mike Schneider told Fox 26 that the CPS worker almost threatened the teenager when she didn't follow what the woman said. The child's mom pointed out that if parents were to do what the CPS staff did they would immediately lose their child and be labeled as a horrible parent.

Bazley found the behavior of the worker unacceptable, prompting CPS Commissioner Jamie Masters to personally apologize to the mother and her daughter. Schneider, however, believes that this isn't just one rogue worker and the problem may be bigger than this particular incident.

Marissa Gonzales, the spokesperson for the Department of Family and Protective Services, also released a statement to say that they were made aware of the video and that appropriate action has been implemented. The worker concerned was dismissed from her job as of Aug. 10. She was given a chance to challenge her dismissal but she chose not to file the rebuttal. Her name has been deliberately omitted from the public.

Problems within the Texas foster care system

In March 2022, a foster care facility operated by the state was ordered to shut down following the discovery that its workers were trafficking children. According to the Texas Tribune, nine perpetrators were sanctioned after seven kids, between 11 to 17 years old, were found to have been sexually and physically abused.

U.S. District Judge Janis Jack also criticized the state's foster care system in June and said that the agencies concerned are not doing proper background checks of its staff, specifically the carers who directly deal with the children. The judge ordered the state to develop a plan to help foster kids in facilities that are facing investigations of abuse.

Meanwhile, Gonzales said that the 14-year-old remains in foster care.