Pubdate: Sat, 16 Jun 2001
Source: Augusta Chronicle, The (GA)
Copyright: 2001 The Augusta Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.augustachronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/31
Note: Does not publishing letters from outside of the immediate
Georgia and South Carolina circulation area
Author: Rebecca Whitehead, Staff Writer

INFANT COCAINE CASE PROMPTS AUNT'S REPLY

Woman Endorses Dfcs Investigation, Voices Regret That It Was Her 
Nephew's Situation That Caused It

The aunt of a 6-month-old boy who was fed crack cocaine by his mother
said Friday that she is glad local child protective services are
reviewing how they handle cases. But she regrets it was the neglect
and abuse of her nephew Devon Epps that brought the need to light.

''I feel good that they're deciding to do it now, even though my
nephew had to be the guinea pig,'' Sandra Epps Daniels said.

Devon's parents, Demetria Wright, 32, and Larry Epps, 51, were
arrested Tuesday. Both are charged with first-degree cruelty to
children and are being held at the Richmond County jail on $10,000
bonds.

According to Richmond County sheriff's Maj. Ken Autry, Devon tested
positive for cocaine when he was taken to University Hospital June 7
by Ms. Daniels, who suspected the baby had been given cocaine by his
mother.

The child still is suffering from the effects of the drug and is
jittery, sensitive to noise and unable to hold his bottle, Ms. Daniels
said Friday evening.

The child's ordeal could have been avoided if the Department of Family
and Children Services had done its job, Ms. Daniels said.

DFCS Director Carolyn Beard said the case is under review, but her
department is being criticized for not removing Devon from the home
when complaints were made in February and April. Mrs. Beard did not
return calls Friday afternoon.

The complaint comes at a time when DFCS is under fire for allowing
neglected children to fall through the cracks. Superior Court Judge
Duncan Wheale formed a task force this spring, headed by Associate
Juvenile Court Judge Doug Flanagan, to work with the agency to ensure
children are not failed by the protective services system.

The task force is working to get cell phones and laptop computers for
all the caseworkers to improve communications, said Julia Bloodworth,
the executive director of Augusta Child Advocates and a volunteer with
the task force.

Her agency trained 60 volunteers to help DFCS oversee cases. More are
needed, Mrs. Bloodworth said.

''What we would like to do is have an advocate for every child in
DFCS' care,'' she said.

Mrs. Bloodworth said the plans were already in the works before
Devon's case caused public outcry.

Ms. Daniels disagrees.

''The media has gotten into it; (DFCS has) got to do it now,'' she
said. But she isn't sure about how effective any program will be.

Ms. Daniels said her nephew should not have gone home with his mother
after he tested positive for crack the day he was born.

''I really believe this will not be the last time,'' she
said.
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