Brielle Gage died on Nov. 25, 2014, after a severe beating by her mother, Katlyn Marin. Gage’s death touched off questions about the involvement of the state's Department of Children, Youth and Families. The Monitor pieced together the final year of her life with DCYF, court and police records and with interviews with family and those who tried to protect her.
Court proceedings in DCYF cases are kept confidential, shielding the agency from examination.
Video: Attorney Rus Rilee talks about his efforts to make Gage case public.
In 2014, only 4.7 percent of abuse reports in New Hampshire were found to have merit, far behind the national average of 19 percent and last in the country. That year, DCYF substantiated 652 out of nearly 13,900, according to the most recently available federal data.
It’s impossible to know the total number of child deaths in New Hampshire related to abuse and neglect – or even the instances of child mistreatment – because no single entity in the state is tracking all the data, advocates say.
Video: Two parents whose son died discuss their experience with DCYF.
While national standards recommend child protection workers investigate no more than 12 reports of abuse or neglect at one time, New Hampshire’s DCYF staff can have an average monthly caseload of 54 reports, according to an outside review of the agency that was released last year.
Nearly 470 babies were born exposed to drugs in 2016, child protection agency says.
Video: DCYF caseworker Demetrios Tsaros (left) discusses the challenges of the job.
How far along is the state in its effort to reform the embattled agency? Gov. Chris Sununu promises changes are coming.
Agencies say need is high for foster parents and volunteer advocates.
While it’s true that more staff is needed in the state’s system overseeing the safety of children, a news analysis said dealing with serious family...
A federal report critical of New Hampshire’s Division for Children Youth and Families set off calls of action from officials Friday. Now, it’s...
The father of a 21-month-old who was killed by her mother in 2015 is suing the state and its child protective services, claiming a failure to...
The state has agreed to pay $6.75 million to settle a suit brought by the grandparents of two young girls who were sexually abused by their parents...
The father of a murdered toddler is suing the state child protection agency that was warned of ongoing abuse in the child’s Nashua home for more...
Gov. Chris Sununu announced Tuesday night his pick for a new top position tasked with overseeing the state’s Division for Children, Youth and...
A judge has dismissed all civil claims brought against Court Appointed Special Advocates of New Hampshire by the grandparents of two girls who were...
A newly created watchdog position overseeing New Hampshire’s Division for Children, Youth and Families is now open to applications, legislators...
Months after an independent review recommended staffing increases at New Hampshire’s Division for Children, Youth and Families, the Department of...
The grandparents of two girls who were sexually abused by their parents are seeking a court order allowing them to publicly disclose the girls...
The emails flood Deb Urbaitis’s inbox each week, asking her to take one more foster child, if only a for a few hours to give another family a break...
When Grace Sanborn traveled from her home in Laconia to the Seacoast to visit her two young grandsons in foster care, a little voice would...