Crime

Shock Photo: Social Services Takes Four Months to Rescue Disabled Teen Starved Down to 23 lbs

Chicago Social Services Takes Four Months to Rescue Starved Disabled Teen Darlene Armstrong

Darlene Armstrong, pictured here in the hospital, weighed a mere 23 lbs and was unable to walk or talk. Law enforcement officials leaked this picture to the press. (Source: Daily Mail)

The mother of a severely disabled 16-year-old with cerebral palsy allowed her daughter to nearly starve to death inside their family home in Chicago. When she was finally rescued, Darlene Armstrong weighed only 23 pounds and stood just 3-feet-10-inches tall, The Chicago Tribune reports.

She was brought into an emergency room in “serious” condition, unable to walk or talk as hospital workers stood shocked by her ghastly appearance, hardly more than skin and bones.

However, the most disturbing part of this case may be the fact that it took the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) roughly 4 months to save the disabled teenager, according to the Tribune.

She was treated at Comer Children’s Hospital at the University of Chicago, where doctors confirmed Armstrong had been starved for “some time.”

“Darlene has suffered from severe, long-standing, life-threatening malnutrition/starvation combined with unacceptable medical neglect,” a hospital record stated.

The mother, Rosetta Harris, previously told hospital officials that she had fed her daughter eggs and grits for breakfast, steamed rice and chicken, chocolate protein shakes and snacks throughout the day, which was obviously not the case.

The Chicago Tribune has more on the story’s developments:

It’s now clear that the severely disabled teen could have gotten crucial help four months earlier if an investigator and her supervisors at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services had done their jobs properly, the Tribune has learned.

The agency had gotten a Nov. 17 hotline call that Darlene wasn’t being fed — an urgent matter under DCFS rules — but the investigator repeatedly walked away from the family’s South Side home without seeing Darlene and without enlisting other resources, records show.

It wasn’t until her fourth visit in March that she heard whimpering, confronted the mother and called 911.

The case underscores continued problems at DCFS as it deals with high child-abuse and neglect caseloads. In recent months, the newspaper also has examined troubling child deaths and the agency’s failure to inspect many day-care facilities as required — issues that have raised new questions about whether a system designed to save children is failing them.

Documents obtained by the Tribune indicate Darlene Armstrong’s case was mishandled from the beginning:

•Although the investigator went to the home within the required 24-hour hotline-response period, she failed to follow other procedures to help workers locate the child. Nor did she return each day as required until that happened.

•Before Darlene was rescued, there is no evidence the worker looked up the family’s history with DCFS as required. If she had done so, the investigator would have realized the agency took protective custody of Darlene years earlier due to the same allegations of medical neglect and malnourishment.

•A supervisor failed to alert two later shifts, as required, to continue looking for Darlene on the first day the investigator didn’t make contact. The supervisor and her manager also improperly granted extensions beyond the initial 60-day period set to resolve such cases, despite minimal effort to find the girl.

Chicago Social Services Takes Four Months to Rescue Starved Disabled Teen Darlene Armstrong

Pictured above is reportedly the Chicago street where Darlene Armstrong was nearly starved to death. (Source: Daily Mail)

DCFS appears to be taking accountability for the oversight, though it was a giant one.

“An investigation this badly neglected is a failure of supervision and management,” said DCFS spokesman Kendall Marlowe. “We are taking appropriate actions to right that ship and ensure this organization places the proper priority on child safety.”

Chicago Social Services Takes Four Months to Rescue Starved Disabled Teen Darlene Armstrong

Darlene's mother, Rosetta Harris was given 18 months of probation after pleading guilty to child endangerment charges. (Source: Daily Mail)

In 1996, the agency took Armstrong, then 1-year-old, and her 15-year-old sister into protective custody after it was revealed that the baby was not being fed properly. Armstrong was also diagnosed with “fetal alcohol syndrome” at birth, records show.

“Mother does appear to provide all care necessary for siblings, but has a problem following through on the care of her special needs child,” a 1996 case note from the incident read. Harris won back custody of the children approximately three years later.

Armstrong, who is recovering at La Rabida Children’s Hospital, and her 15-year-old sister have been taken into protective custody. DCFS workers may face disciplinary action, but no steps have been taken thus far.

Harris’ 23-year-old daughter, Delichia Armstrong, seemingly justified her mother’s actions, telling the newspaper that she ‘does the best she can.’

You can read the entire Chicago Tribune Report here.

(H/T: The Daily Mail)

Comments (88)

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  • homekeeper
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 9:04pm

    HOW could a mother do this to her child!? I just can’t even fathom this, it breaks my heart and brings tears to my eyes!

    Report Post »  
    • db321
      Posted on June 11, 2012 at 11:00pm

      It took Child Services 4 months to rescue this Girl. Obama has assures us that Obama Care is going to be the best Heath Care Ever! Has Obama ever lied to the American People.

      Report Post » db321  
    • koyettsu
      Posted on June 11, 2012 at 11:43pm

      That is what happens when you strip morals out of a person, they become a monster evident by this animal and what she did to her child.

      Report Post »  
    • Uranium Wedge
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 12:39am

      Sounds like DCFS to me.
      Standard practice for them.

      Report Post » Uranium Wedge  
    • lqtm
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 7:29am

      The people talking about DCFS failing to intervene are missing the point- without them, the girl would be dead, because there would have been no intervention. Say what you will about needing to improve the program, but this is just proof that such programs are needed. Maybe if we funded them better so that they weren‘t so understaffed this BS wouldn’t happen. Think people.

      Report Post »  
    • 4truth2all
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 8:14am

      Yo LQTM:

      You may have a point … but these people DID NOT DO THEIR JOB and as explained it had nothing to do with understaffing when all one had to see is LOOK AT THE PERSON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      F the government and it’s programs … ALL IT TAKES IS NEIGHBORS WHO CARE ABOUT NEIGHBORS. So simple and yet……………….

      Report Post »  
    • battles
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 8:23am

      I am reminded of the Soviet Colonel‘s statement in the movie ’Citizen X’: Welcome to the bureaucracy.

      Report Post » battles  
  • yohannbiimu
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:51pm

    I am not the least surprised that this occurred in Chicago (i.e. Thuggopolis).

    Report Post » yohannbiimu  
  • Melvin Spittle
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:50pm

    I think they missed a HUGE opportunity to blame the incident not on their outrageous error, but the reduction of agency funding to support a growing case-load with fewer resources.

    The resulting emergency tax hike measure to address this would be overwhelmingly supported by the sheep that will feel obligated to give the last square inch of wool they have left.

    Chicago is off their game.

    Report Post » Melvin Spittle  
    • blazingaway
      Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:57pm

      NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY THEY HAVE If they aren‘t going to do their damn job the right way and grossly fail as they did in this case it won’t change a damn thing.

      Child protective services is almost always a group of half insane crusaders who spend more time and money going after the wrong people who are wrongly accused and then outraged at them. Than they do at people who know how to work them, stay below their radar and abuse people.

      Report Post » blazingaway  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on June 11, 2012 at 9:01pm

      Some of the annual budgets for these programs per individual are six figures. There is plenty of money being thrown at this and other programs. The problem is implementation and accountability. And leftists may politically hate trickle down economics, but they sure love that approach to social services.

       
    • lqtm
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 7:30am

      I agree 100%. Most of these replies are what are called a “circle of jerks”, I believe.

      Report Post »  
  • rangerp
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:48pm

    welfare breeds crime.

    There are women out there that have babies, just to get more gov money. they in turn, do not actually raise the kids with any intention of ever being producitve citizens.

    Report Post » rangerp  
  • ColoradoMaverick
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:46pm

    So sad. It’s a good thing she had the all powerful government to protect her…

    Report Post » ColoradoMaverick  
  • biffo
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:44pm

    Affirmative action, obama voters, in action. Social services another rip off the taxpayers and run service. Let’s see pictures of all involved. More black on black crime. This obama plantation is ruining our god country. Although I must say Chicago and all it‘s residents could catch on fire and there wouldn’t be anyone to pee on them to put it out. Detroit, NYC, NO and on and on. Burn them all down to the ground and let the residents decide how they want to live. No more moving into a white flight neighborhood. Build your own. Like that will ever happen. Impeach Obama. Jail Holder. Get rid of the black racist in America.

    Report Post »  
  • TJexcite
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:44pm

    Bush’s fault. He caused the budget cuts that let this one slip thought the cracks. That would be the cause If this was in Texas or a red state and it would be a poster for what Romney wants to do with all disabled/poor/sick people. Let them die of starvation. But as it is Chicago it will not leave the local media.

    Probation? why not attempted Murder. Oh yeah Chicago. Blame the system not the mother. She was to poor to help and the system is there to save people and the budget cuts failed her and her daughter. They are both victims here to the Democrats and the justice system.

    Report Post » TJexcite  
  • Wolfgang the Gray
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:43pm

    Maybe the mother should taste the medicine she gave her daughter. As for Social Services & the wonderful job they did in this case. Yet more proof that the government causes more problems than it solves.

    Report Post » Wolfgang the Gray  
    • JustAThoughtor2or3
      Posted on June 11, 2012 at 10:05pm

      This shows me how difficult it can be to figure out how to fix the problems of welfare, social services, education, firefighting, and other government services. Obviously this government worker was not doing their job. Some have made comments about how the entire program is a mess. But what would happen if we didn’t have social workers. This child would never have been taken out of the home, even if it is despicable how long she was left there.

      Does anyone have any ideas or solutions? I would love to hear some opinions. Please just don’t be rude. This is a legitimate question of mine, and I would love to have my mind opened to some new ideas.

      Report Post »  
    • lqtm
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 7:35am

      LOGIC FAIL- Government program responded poorly, therefore situation would be better with no program. Oh wait, that’s pure, undiluted fail.

      Report Post »  
  • rulenumber62
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:37pm

    And what about the SSI and food stamps we provided for this child? And Mom gets 18 months probation? Unbelievable, but a similar case happened in Ohio recently, and probably happens more often than we realize. There is no excuse for this at all!

    Report Post » rulenumber62  
  • barber2
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:29pm

    How could the entire household have not done something? No friends or family members to notice this ? This is so outrageous it begs explanation. Just another example of what happens when life is no longer valued or respected. “ She does the best she can ” according to her 23 year old daughter Delichia ? Sounds like the daughter hasn’t fallen far from that tree. Disgusting .

    Report Post »  
    • ZaphodsPlanet
      Posted on June 11, 2012 at 9:29pm

      I was thinking the same thing about the older healthy daughter. Ghastly.

      Report Post » ZaphodsPlanet  
  • Melika
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:29pm

    What’s with the grammar on this site? It’s driving me crazy: “…then 1-years-old, and her 15-year-old sister…” Really?
    Oh and “Delichia”. I bet she’s just delicious.
    PS. I’m neither surprised nor care about this story. Yes, the grammar is more important to me than this story. Yes, I’m evil, please don’t pray for me.

    Report Post »  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:38pm

      Thanks for playing. By all means, slink away and continue to be ‘evil.’ The English language will struggle on.

      Report Post »  
    • Wolfgang the Gray
      Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:41pm

      Yeah, I can grant your request.

      Report Post » Wolfgang the Gray  
  • I.Gaspar
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:29pm

    Eighteen months probation!!!
    She should have been shot on the spot!

    Report Post »  
  • Dewey48
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:28pm

    This deplorable situation I am afraid is not unique. “Social Services” are riddled with lazy, indifferent and sometimes even sadistic “workers” who waste time and do not serve. There are workers who do their jobs and they usually wolf down fast food and kick in the extra time, but they are the ones who have to buttress up the rest of the useless ones. Thank you Blaze staff for bringing this story to the front !

    Report Post »  
  • Tired of Code Names
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:24pm

    Of course DCFS would be on the front lines to prosecute the guy in Texas who beat the life out of a full grown adult male molesting his four year old daughter. I guess that’s a new life style we should all accept. Or perhaps just ignoring that inconvenient child and treating them less than the left treats dog’s. I’m just disgusted.

    Report Post »  
  • The_Cabrito_Goat
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:24pm

    This breaks my heart

    Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
  • The_Cabrito_Goat
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:22pm

    How’s that social safety net working for ya?

    Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:33pm

      Do some research on the money that has recently been allocated for junkies in different states. It should make any sane citizen livid. By all means, let us save the great American junky.

      Report Post »  
    • charles116
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 3:48am

      What ever became of Mama Girdles, The Gorilla from Wasilla

      Report Post » charles116  
  • The Gooch
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:22pm

    I’ll try to keep this short and sweet.
    I work for the developmentally disabled population. It is very likely the mother [or family member(s)]was receiving some form of check beyond Medicaid and/or Social Security for caring for her daughter. Each state runs these expanded “Waiver” Medicaid benefits differently, but all states are supposed to require some form of periodic (usually monthly) health and safety check (i.e., home visit). I suspect that’s where the CPS referral came from..
    Not all state employees in child services (and welfare in general) are fat, useless slugs; there are some very good people working in these cruddy systems. The problem is, the fat, useless slugs are the majority. You will likely see no heads roll. Expect an “improvement” plan for both the dept. and the mother. Let’s keep it simple, shall we? DON’T STARVE ANOTHER HUMAN BEING YOU”VE ASSUMED CARE FOR.
    This is criminal and deserves jail time. Don’t hold your breath.

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:20pm

    You cannot save all the children… so you make more… which is the reason for large families in Ancient Times. We are crossing a line… from where Parents owned their Children… to where the State owns the Children — Is this where we want to go?

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:31pm

      Your post is borderline creepy. What to do with this child? Throw her in the compost heap and try again? Liberal, conservative, progressive, libertarian… if you can’t see the worth in taking care of those amongst us, who thru no fault of their own, need our support (and have no voice), I have no use for your form of govt. By all means, let those who CHOOSE to fail reap the rewards of their sloth, ignorance and foolishness. This isn‘t a state’s right vs. parental rights story. This is about whether or not you accept an “undesirable” can be starved and no one be held to account… or even care.

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:50pm

      @THE…
      For the sake of an Individual… or a few… We do not want to Change the Society of All! The Tail does not Shake the Dog!

      You using Emotions… not Thinking nor Reasoning!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on June 11, 2012 at 9:08pm

      If old people deserve Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, then so does this population that exists thru no fault of its own. Call it emotion, call it humanity. I agree there should be a limit to whom you help (vs. enable) and how much you provide. I’m not asking for the developmentally disabled to be used as another excuse to employee govt. workers and parasitic proxy agencies,
      Damn, my cats are jumping all over my computer and my dogs needs walked.
      To be continued.
      Submitted respectfully.

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 7:46am

      @THE…
      I am not opposed to helping anyone, if done in a Christian manner! The Original Point was: At some point in time… we must decide whom OWNs The Children, until what Age, and given what Responsibility for their Actions & Condition.

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 8:25am

      I don‘t agree ’ownership’ should ever be an issue. This is a mindset that makes some men beat the hell out of or kill women who want nothing more to do with them. It’s also the reason why some parents put their kids thru hell during a divorce: Treating childen as beings to which property rights apply. In my area, revved up mama’s boys “fight for their kids”… with the intent of dumping them on their own mother or another woman expected to take of their property… er, children. So the battle becomes more important than any child… but you may “win.”
      I believe I‘m picking up on what you’re attempting to say. I‘m just assuming you’re not of the mind set that it’s okay for anyone to abuse and/or neglect another human being because of sanguinary ties. Yes, at some point such activity IS the state’s business. To assume otherwise would be to allow violent pigs to dot their wives or children in the eye because they‘re said pigs’ properties? Surely you must believe that at some point a nation of laws would act to protect people from such thuggery… while being held to account itself.
      If there is one thing history shows us, it’s that any nation that sees the mentally ill & developmentally disabled as trash tends not to stop with those populations. Then again, we’re not so far removed from the times when the state all but insisted the best thing for families to do was give up such children & let the state have them. Ah, institutionalization….

      Report Post »  
  • boomboom
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:20pm

    Turn-about is fair play.
    Seems the “mother” had enough $ for that cheap-azzed wig, though.

    Report Post » boomboom  
  • 338lapua
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:20pm

    I treat ALL MY ANIMALS far far better than this alleged “MOTHER”. When judgement day comes, I will be revealing my entire life with a sense of pride. I cannot imagine the same for these animals.

    Report Post »  
  • TheCoffinMaker
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:20pm

    Obamaville, USA.

    Report Post » TheCoffinMaker  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:18pm

    this is what you get when you use affirmative action to fill public sector jobs ( ie union jobs) in an effort to bloat the union dues and “spread the wealth ” to targeted favorite groups

    60% of ALL government employees need to be fired and forced to reapply for their jobs, followed by the other 40% just plain getting fired

    your best bet would be to start with all employees that are registered democraps , and go from there

    i am completely disgusted with EVERYONE in government save only the men and women that VOLUNTEER to serve our country in the armed forces

    Report Post » Psychosis  
    • damnedifwedont
      Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:55pm

      Bravo!!!! And start at the TOP!

      Report Post »  
    • JustAThoughtor2or3
      Posted on June 11, 2012 at 10:21pm

      How can you say EVERYONE when you have never seen them work?! Yes, many programs are messed up, but that was an extremely uneducated comment. Does that mean EVERY SINGLE firefighter, social worker, teacher and others, are horrible at their jobs?! I wonder how you would feel if you were judged this way! I had some amazing teachers growing up, and they truly affected my life in a positive way. I had 1 poor one out of the lot. Does that mean the rest are bad? I would hope that we judge others by individual merit, not group them into a whole and call them failures.

      I agree that there are some who are horrible at their jobs. There does need to be more accountability and smaller government. I believe states, cities, and communities should have much more control than the Federal government, which maybe shouldn’t have any. This doesn’t mean all government workers are bad though. I see poor workers at the store, bank, and private businesses every day. Maybe we need to work on the moral integrity and work ethic of all people.

      Report Post »  
    • deeberj
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 12:46pm

      Not all gov’t workers are incompetent. They just need to make it easier to fire the incompetent ones. The unions make that VERY difficult.

      Report Post » deeberj  
    • JustAThoughtor2or3
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:48pm

      @Deeberj

      I absolutely agree!!! In Idaho, they got rid of tenure for all incoming teachers and only allow the union to negotiate contracts. I love it! That will make it so much easier to get rid of teachers not doing their jobs.

      Report Post »  
  • affinity
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:16pm

    No human being should be starved. The mother be given life in prison without any chance of parole, the girl should be fed and taken care of properly and the entire staff at DHS should be fired immediately.

    Report Post »  
  • Carefreeflyer
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:12pm

    The DCFS workers should face much more than disciplinary action. They should be put in jail. There is a special place in Hell for these monsters.

    Report Post » Carefreeflyer  
    • RLTW
      Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:32pm

      The mother only received a mister meaner & probation??? You’re correct it should be life in prison for all involved

      Report Post »  
  • damnedifwedont
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 8:12pm

    Oh,that poor poor child….Once again,Chicago leads the way in insanity.

    Report Post »  
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