Four Social Workers Fired Over Death of Child

Four social workers have been fired following the death of a 4-year-old girl in Tbilisi on 22 January. The head of Social Programmes Department at the Interior Ministry’s Social Service Agency also resigned.

The child was already known to social services before her death. Police enforced a restraining order against the mother after being told the child had been beaten on 6 January. Neighbors have also stated that the child was often abused by her mother and step-father.

The mother has been arrested for violating her restraining order and she is currently in pre-trial detention.

The fact that social services did not remove the child from her parents despite knowing of probable abuse has raised questions about the competency of the Social Service Agency.

The autopsy results on the girl’s body have yet to be released. If the results confirm that she died due to violence, the mother and step-father may face additional charges.

Health Minister David Sergeenko has promised a “systematic reform in social policy.”

By Amy Jones

Photo source: Ministry of Health Press Office