A formal request for Information has been filed against the Cleveland County Department of Social Services and the Cleveland County Manager’s office under the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) and North Carolina Public Records Laws by the Southern Coalition of Equal Protection Under the Law (SCEPUL).
The requests (text provided below) cites reports of certain CCDSS employees being fired and demoted, falsifying documents, intimidation of staff and TWO DEAD BABIES due to negligence by the DSS. Supervisory people involved allegedly goes directly to the top levels of management and several layers of Management below that.
This request is addressed to DSS Director Katie Swanson and County Manager Brian Epley and also sent to County Commissioner Chairman Doug Bridges, Cleveland County Deputy Attorney Martha Thompson, WNCT-9 and Citizens For Good Government (me). The Request was sent August 20, 2021 at 9:56 PM.
This is the text of the information request message:
Director Swanson and County Manager Epley,
It has come to my attention that DSS is currently under investigation for falsifying documents and intimidation of staff. Two top level supervisors have recently resigned as a result that you, in your capacity as Director, was threatening and bullying employees. A third high level administration, Greg Grier, is reported to have been demoted. Most importantly, it is being reported that at least two babies have died due to negligence in your department adequately investigating reports.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, North Carolina Public Records Law, and any other applicable laws I request the following information:
1) All resignations of DSS staff within the last year up to August 20, 2021.
2) All correspondences regarding agency investigations by state entities or any other outside or inside agencies.
3) A list of all dead babies between the ages of 0 and five years old who died under or shortly after supervision of DSS.
Please note that such information is urgent and will be used in current and future lawsuits.
Rev. Dante’ Murphy
It is our belief that this is a very serious matter that should absolutely NOT be covered-up. Therefore, We (Citizens For Good Government) have joined the investigation of DSS by submitting our own Public Request for information to the Cleveland County DSS and the Commissioners who oversee the DSS. The text of our request is as follows:
Dear County Commissioners, Chairman Doug Bridges, CCDSS Advisory Board Member Danny Blanton and the Cleveland County Custodian of Records,
Re: FOIA and North Carolina Laws-Public Records Request:
In Conjunction with Rev. Ante Murphy’s Request dated August 20, 2021Please add Robert A. Williams (Citizens For Good Government to your response to Rev. Murphy’s. request for Public Records dated August 20, 2021.
In conjunction to those records we also request the opportunity to inspect every “Autopsy Report” in your records for every child that has died or been murdered while under the “protection” of a Cleveland County Department of Social Services” investigation” for the past 10 years.
Please acknowledge receipt of the request within two business days and provide an estimate of an inspection date within ten business days.
Also note that autopsy reports are public documents and we do not except the excuse that a public document that is deposited in a Cleveland County Department of Social Services “Confidential” file itself becomes confidential too.
Due to the high public interest in children that may be or are murdered while under the care of CCDSS, we expect a prompt response to this request.
Thanks in advance for your prompt response.
Regards,
Robert A. Williams
www.citizensforgoodgovernment.org
Folks, Call your County Commissioners and demand that they put an immediate STOP to corruption and cover-up at the Cleveland County Department of Social Services.
