Could authorities have prevented deaths?

By Dana Gentry

Tuesday, July 1, 2008 | 3:46 p.m.

The fact that developmentally disabled 4-year-old Jason Rimer's absence went undetected for 17 hours before he was found dead in the family SUV is evidence of the neglect that brought the Rimer family into contact with Child Protective Services 21 times, five of them during Jason's short life. The case is eerily similar to that of 2-year-old Adacelli Snyder, a toddler whose cerebral palsy rendered her totally dependent on her mother, who is now serving prison time for the neglect that led to Adacelli's slow death from starvation. Like Jason, Adacelli was no stranger to CPS.

On today's program, Dist. Atty. David Roger criticized Family Services director Tom Morton for being too quick to close cases. Seems if any cases are worth an extra measure of attention from overworked CPS staff, it's those involving the very young or disabled. We're hoping to get Morton's side next week.

Viewers of today's program will hear Morton, back in February 2007, defend police who, when called to a domestic disturbance, allowed 7-year-old Arabella Moreno to dictate a course of events that would cost her her life. Morton describes how Arabella, sitting in a police car with 8-year-old brother Brian, told authorities her mother would never hurt the two. That prompted police to allow the children to remain with their distraught mother, Sherri Love, rather than leave with their father.

Shortly after police left, Love stabbed Arabella to death and injured Brian. Love faces sentencing in August on a first-degree murder conviction.

The cases featured on today's program share a common thread. It's quite possible that the children ultimately killed could have been saved had authorities done their jobs. I know it's easy to second-guess the tough decisions made by police and caseworkers, but when little people are so frequently left in dangerous situations by the big people in charge, it's time to look at options.

We're heading to the beach for some time off. Have a safe and fun-filled Independence Day, and between the barbeques and fireworks... remind the kids how questioning authority can give birth to big ideas.