Kanawha County Judge Maryclair Akers questioned West Virginia's foster care system of housing children in hotels following reports of a suicide attempt.
The judge is now asking county and state officials, such as the new West Virginia Department of Human Services Cabinet Secretary Alex Mayer, to appear in court this Friday. The request comes following concerns that some of the children in the state's foster care system are not at risk.
West Virginia's Foster Care System
The situation comes after years of reports that suggest some of West Virginia's roughly 6,000 foster care kids are housed in hotels. This is done if the Department of Human Services Child Protection Services is not able to find them an appropriate foster home or mental health care facility.
Judge Akers' order stated that the court was well aware of the lack of emergency placements for children across the state and recognized the selfless and often heroic work of CPS workers, according to 12WBOY.
The order filed on Monday tries explicitly to address various concerns regarding children placed in hotels and at the Kanawha County 4H Foundation. The issue concerns not only the children's safety but also the safety of the CPS staff who are responsible for monitoring them at these alternative locations.
Attorney Brian Escue has extensive knowledge of this matter. For more than a decade, he has represented children in foster care as a guardian ad litem with Hunter Escue Law Practice. He believes that it would be better if a facility addressed the mental health of the youth who live there.
An Attempted Suicide
Judge Akers' order comes as there was a report that a child who had been placed in a hotel by the West Virginia Department of Human Services CPS attempted suicide on Feb. 21, 2025. She argued that the incident was not included in a case summary that the court received, WCHSTV reported.
The judge also noted that the court was advised that Mayers was willing to appear to respond to concerns following the incident. She has also made the hearing available to anyone who wants to watch it virtually to observe the proceedings.
The situation comes as West Virginia still has a child welfare worker shortage that is taking a toll on foster children and families. The state's foster care system is currently struggling to hire and retain workers due to low pay and overwhelming caseloads, as per the Mountain State Spotlight.
