Do Santa Clara County reforms put kids in harm’s way?
SAN JOSE — Matthew Kraft collapsed in tears then fell into the embrace of a fellow social worker. Months of anger and heartbreak and guilt came gushing out over the …
Child abuse
Santa Clara County statements in the aftermath of death of baby Phoenix
Here are statements from Santa Clara County and its officials to the Bay Area News Group in response to the news organization’s ongoing investigation into the fentanyl-related death of a …
Parisi House on the Hill helps keep families involved in CPS together
SAN JOSE — Four years ago, Nikita Garcia was living in a tent off Senter Road so close to the railroad tracks — for so long — that she didn’t …
In toddler’s fentanyl death, San Jose parents arraigned on murder charges
SAN JOSE — She grew up in a lovely home in the Almaden Valley. She was a cheerleader at West Valley College and a fan of the San Jose Sharks. …
Tainted probe of Baby Phoenix fentanyl death should be halted
Baby Phoenix Castro, the 3-month-old San Jose girl who died of a fentanyl and methamphetamine overdose in May, should be alive today. Santa Clara County’s child protective services system failed …
Santa Clara County knew of parents’ drug use, neglect
SAN JOSE – Looking back, it was hard to miss the signs that foretold the tragedy of Phoenix Castro’s short life. Two months before the baby’s birth, her pregnant mother …
Santa Clara County lawyers overrode social workers decisions to remove children from unsafe homes
SAN JOSE – Santa Clara County’s top executive acknowledged Saturday that county agencies in charge of protecting children made mistakes in allowing a father with a history of drug abuse …
San Jose baby’s fentanyl death scrutinized as neighbors decry missed warnings
Baby Phoenix Castro wasn’t breathing when a San Jose Fire dispatcher’s voice crackled over their radio system at 10:11 a.m. on May 13. The message was brisk: “CPR is in progress. …
Santa Clara County to investigate own role in 3-month-old’s fentanyl death
Less than a week after a father was charged in the fentanyl overdose death of his 3-month old daughter, Santa Clara County officials on Wednesday called for the state to …
Concord woman charged with using bear mace on 9-month-old baby in revenge attack
WALNUT CREEK — A Concord woman has been charged with spraying a 9-month-old baby boy and his father with bear mace, in a drive-by attack that authorities believe was motivated …