North Carolina Law is simple regarding the reporting of abuse, neglect or dependency of children. The law is this: ANY person who has a SUSPICION of abuse, neglect or dependency of a child is REQUIRED by LAW to report that suspicion to the DIRECTOR of the Department of Social Services (DSS) in the county in which that child resides. These reports can be made anonymously or by any other means.
Robert A has made a number of such reports over the years and always make his reports in writing. As he did in his report that was published October 10, 2022. A report that HAS NOT been replied to or even notified that it was received by DSS. That is ALWAYS a sign of a cover-up from CCDSS. This report was indeed egregious as DSS was the actual perpetrator of the child abuse, neglect or dependency. The first such report that Robert A is aware of. That is why Robert A also copied all Cleveland County Commissioners, all CCDSS advisory board members that he had email addresses for, The Sheriff of Cleveland County, the Cleveland County District Attorney, NC Governor Roy Cooper, NC Attorney General Josh Stein, Shelby Police Chief Jeff Ledford, County Attorneys and others.
It should also be noted that these reporting LAWS carry criminal prosecution if not obeyed. No amount of Policy making at Cleveland County Schools by the School Board or anybody else can override State Law. To Robert A’s knowledge, no person who violates this law has ever been prosecuted by the Cleveland County District Attorney. And, Robert A will NOT be the first one prosecuted for NOT making this report.
Now, fast forward to Saturday, October 15, 2022 and Robert A’s phone is ringing. It was School Board Member Dr. Danny Blanton, who is also a member or the CCDSS Advisory Board. Dr. Blanton tells Robert A his report had been confirmed as 100% true by a person that he could not identify because that person would likely be retaliated against, but a person that he trusted. Dr. Blanton requested that Robert A send him another copy of that October 10, 2022 that he could take DIRECTLY to Commissioner Chairman Kevin Gordon personally as the County Commissioners, through the County Manage, provides (supposedly provides) oversite of the CCDSS. Robert A immediately did so. Robert A also informed Dr. Danny Blanton that since CCDSS, although reported as the perpetrator, might NOT be considered a caregiver of these children and that the actual investigation agency would likely have to be the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office. Which Robert A had already provided a copy of the allegations.
If history is a guide, the Commissioners will do nothing in this matter. The District Attorney will do nothing and nobody at CCDSS will be disciplined in any way. The recent shocking report by WBTV-Channel 3 that the Cleveland County Department of Social Services had been illegally taking children from their parents is a good example. The DSS Director Katie Swanson was filmed slamming the door in the TV reporter’s face and the TV report reached a million people in Channel 3’s viewing audience (including Robert A) and the Commissioners took NO disciplinary action is proof enough of that.
But. The point of this article is to show just who cares about the children in Cleveland County governmental agencies? And, there is only one person, Dr. Danny Blanton, who has shown himself to be, time after time, responsive to the health and safety of the children of Cleveland County. Over the pressures to just cover-up for any embarrassment that comes along. Even when that embarrassment is the death of a child. Or ripping away the constitutional protections of parents, or anything else-such as the mess at CCDSS.
Folks, remember to vote for Danny Blanton for the CCS School Board. Also Vote for Ronnie Grigg for the CCS School Board. These two have proven that they care about the children of Cleveland County. While others SAY they care about the Children of Cleveland County, their ACTIONS do not match their words. Dr. Ronnie Grigg, a candidate for the School Board has already demonstrated that he cares about the children by his researching and organizing a trip to the Greenville County School District’s lunchroom (along with Danny Blanton, Marge Hooper, Brandon Bridges and others) to learn how they were able to prepare home cooked, nutritious food that the children liked. As well as stay withing the budget. Something CCS has never learned how to do with anything.
Folks, Robert A recommends voting only for Dr. Danny Blanton and Dr. Ronnie Grigg for the School Board. Vote for someone who has proven their worth by actions, not just words and promises that never see the light of day.
