A Station for Everyone
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

New Report Holds Iowa DHS to Account for Teen's 2017 Foster Care Death

The abuse and starvation death of 16-year-old Sabrina Ray might have been prevented if Iowa's Department of Human Services workers had been more diligent and shared information more efficiently. That's according to a report released today from the state ombudsman.

DHS is accepting most of the recommendations for improving its training, communication, and protocols following the lengthy investigation into the Perry girl's 2017 death.
Iowa ombudsman Kristi Hirshman says several units within the Iowa DHS were overseeing the Ray household because they had an in-home daycare, as well as being foster parents. 

"So they had a foster care license, and then there were a number of abuse reports that were received, so there was ample oversight and opportunity to identify the problems that were in this home."

DHS had received 11 child abuse reports against the teenager's adoptive parents, Marc and Misty Ray, between 2010 and 2015. The Perry couple parented foster kids, adopted four children, and ran an in-home daycare.
A judge sentenced Misty Ray to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 20 years. Marc Ray was sentenced to a total of 80 years in prison. 

 
The coronavirus continues to spread in Iowa.
Iowa has 327 new cases and three recent deaths, more than 11 hundred deaths, and 70 thousand cases.
Woodbury County reports 20 new cases and one additional death today for 58 deaths from COVID-19. There have been more than 43 hundred cases. 

Nebraska has accounted for nearly 40 thousand cases and more than 400 covid-19 related deaths.  Dakota County is reporting ten new covid cases today and no further deaths.
South Dakota has tallied more than 15 thousand cases and 173 deaths from the coronavirus.
 

Related Content