Overview
- The Office of the Child Advocate released its report Wednesday, finding A’zella, 4, died of blunt-force injuries as her siblings were hospitalized malnourished and dehydrated, with one testing positive for fentanyl, and police discovering drug paraphernalia and an accessible firearm.
- Investigators say DCF failed to assess cumulative risk and closed the Ortiz family’s case in October 2023 after 114 days without an in-person visit.
- The report details jurisdictional missteps, including an unverified belief the family had moved to New York and insufficient information provided to out-of-state officials.
- Recommended reforms include a stronger risk-assessment tool, a structured quality-assurance framework, clearer case-closing standards, targeted training, and explicit guidance on chronic neglect and case consultations.
- DCF says it will address the concerns, while A’zella’s father, Francisco Ortiz, remains jailed awaiting trial on murder, child-abuse, and firearm charges.