Investigators say a couple burned their 1-year-old child and injected her with meth. State rep. John Lujan believes the horrific incident could have been avoided.
SAN ANTONIO — A state lawmaker is frustrated after six children were not removed from an allegedly abusive home.
Last month, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Amanda Mann and Dustin Lawrence. The couple was charged with child endangerment.
Investigators said their 1-year-old girl was somehow doused in scalding water. Instead of seeking medical care, Mann and Lawrence allegedly injected the child with methamphetamine. When the parents pulled back her blankets the next day, investigators said the toddler’s skin reportedly ‘peeled off.’
The Bexar County sheriff says the couple’s six children were also found in “filthy living conditions.”
Now, we’ve learned the Texas Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) tried to remove the children from the home. However, the Bexar County District’s Attorney’s Office denied the request, citing a ‘lack of evidence.’
“[DFPS] put in to remove the kids, the DA said, ‘There is not enough to remove them,’” said Rep. John Lujan. “Then the DA walks away from the table, DFPS walks away from the table and the case is closed. That’s not acceptable.”
On Friday, a representative for the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office released the following statement:
“Under the law, our office cannot comment on any investigation involving the removal of a child.
Protecting children is the top priority of our CPS Division. However, our office can only seek removal of a child when the law allows. Over the last two legislative sessions, the law has changed to make removal more difficult. We welcome the Legislature to revisit this issue.”
“I don’t want the DA coming in saying, ‘Oh, it’s the law, change the laws,’” said Lujan. “I don’t want to play that game. Where does love and compassion come in?”
Lujan says it’s not about finger pointing.
“These kids are not political. They don’t care about Democrat, Republican — the games we play,” he said. “They just want safety and they want to be loved. I don’t want this happening again. I want [the DA and DFPS] to tell me they will never walk away and close a case just because we don’t have enough for removal.”
The lawmaker says he is planning to meet with District Attorney Joe Gonzales and DFPS representatives next week to discuss where the system failed and how to fix it.
Original News Source
Running For Office? Conservative Campaign Management – Election Day Strategies!