TX. DFPS/CPS Continues to Fail Families and the Texas Legislature is to Blame

Deaths from child abuse and neglect in Texas soared 31 percent to 280 last fiscal year, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.  The largest increase was seen in Houston and Harris County, where child deaths from abuse or neglect rose 90 percent from 2008, according to the department's annual Data Book.  By San Antonio Express-News, News / The Dallas Morning News Robert T. Garrett, Published 05 March 2010 09:16 AM http://www.dallasnews.com/news/state/headlines/20100305-Texas-child-abuse-neglect-deaths-1584.ece 

The Oak Point man accused of fatally shooting his 10-year-old daughter on Christmas Eve had been investigated repeatedly by Child Protective Services, and police believe he was probably drunk when he fired the shot, according to officials and court records.  By LOWELL BROWN / Denton Record-Chronicle lmbrown@dentonrc.com, Published 29 December 2009 10:06 AM http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/denton/headlines/20091229-Denton-County-man-accused-of-fatally-3872.ece

Child Protective Services caseworkers spend too little time with abused children's families to properly evaluate risks in the homes, according to an internal review of Houston cases that was released Monday. By Robert T. Garrett, Published 15 December 2009 02:32 AM http://www.dallasnews.com/news/state/headlines/20091215-Child-Protective-Services-workers-taking-9027.ece

Dakota Valkyrie writes on April 2nd, 2010, 08:31 AM - CPS has four reports on file regarding the mother, spokeswoman Marleigh Meisner said.  In March 2007, a report of neglectful supervision and physical neglect was filed involving the one child she had then. Investigators reported finding no neglect.  In July 2009, she was reported for medical and physical neglect and neglectful supervision. This time, investigators found "reason to believe" the report. She then had two children, records show. "They were offered family services," Meisner said. In December, CPS received another report of neglectful supervision. That report was recorded as "unable to determine." On March 9, CPS received a report of physical abuse of the 3-year-old. That report was being investigated when the child died, Meisner said. http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/04/01/2084800/denton-county-man-faces-capital.html