A baby girl was killed. Now, a trial begins that accuses child-welfare officials of negligence.
Jury to decide whether Sheriff's Office held any culpability in baby's death South Florida Sun Sentinel
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Jury Trial Underway to Determine Negligence in the Case of 6-Month-Old Makenzie Nevarez
A jury trial was underway Tuesday to decide whether the Broward Sheriff’s Office was negligent to any degree in the case of 6-month-old Makenzie Nevarez, a girl whose babysitter went to prison in her death.
Allegations of Negligence
Makenzie’s family is suing the Sheriff’s Office, alleging that an assigned investigator didn’t take the needed steps to keep the baby safe. Her family is accusing the agency of negligence, arguing that the child protection investigator, under the auspices of the Broward Sheriff’s Office at the time, never spoke to the child’s father, doctors, or the mother’s roommate who had access to the baby to further the investigation and ensure the baby’s safety.
Multiple Hospital Visits and Suspicion of Abuse
By the time the Sheriff’s Office was called for help, the baby had previously been taken to hospitals in northwest Broward twice for unexplained injuries in recent months. After X-rays showed three fractures during an October 13, 2016, visit to Northwest Medical Center, the doctor reported the case as possible abuse to a state abuse hotline, which was assigned to Child Protective Investigations Section run by the Sheriff’s Office.
Insufficient Investigation
The investigator assigned to the case, Toniele Henry, only spoke to the child’s mother and did not speak to other relevant individuals or review medical records. The family’s lawyer argued that Henry’s response to the hospital’s concerns was inadequate. Henry testified that she was “still in training” at the time and did not know all the necessary details. She also admitted that she did not initially interview the baby’s father and claimed she did not have his phone number.
Tragic Outcome and Legal Proceedings
Despite the concerns raised, Makenzie was returned to the care of her mother’s roommate, who was often the babysitter. Tragically, Makenzie died more than a week later, having suffered cardiac arrest, a cracked skull, and brain-related injuries. The mother’s roommate and babysitter pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter of a child and aggravated child abuse and is currently serving prison time until March 2031.
In December, Broward County commissioners agreed to settle the wrongful death case with the child’s estate for $90,000, which includes attorney’s fees and almost $60,000 in medical expenses.
Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This case highlights the importance of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being – Ensuring the safety and well-being of children is crucial for achieving this goal.
- Goal 5: Gender Equality – Protecting vulnerable individuals, such as infants, contributes to achieving gender equality.
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Holding accountable those responsible for child abuse and ensuring justice for victims is essential for building strong institutions.
Conclusion
The trial is expected to last about one week as the jury determines the degree of negligence and the amount of damages, if any, that should be awarded. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough investigations and interventions to protect vulnerable children and uphold their rights.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article discusses the negligence of the Broward Sheriff’s Office in investigating and preventing the death of a 6-month-old baby. This issue is connected to SDG 3, as it involves ensuring good health and well-being for all individuals, including children. It is also connected to SDG 5, as it highlights the importance of gender equality in protecting vulnerable individuals, such as the baby in this case. Additionally, the article touches upon the role of the justice system and law enforcement agencies, making it relevant to SDG 16.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are related to reducing preventable deaths of children (Target 3.2), eliminating violence against women and girls (Target 5.2), and promoting the rule of law and equal access to justice (Target 16.3).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 3.2.1: Under-five mortality rate
- Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months
- Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, based on the identified targets, indicators such as under-five mortality rate (Indicator 3.2.1), proportion of women subjected to violence (Indicator 5.2.1), and proportion of victims reporting violence to authorities (Indicator 16.3.1) can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age. | Indicator 3.2.1: Under-five mortality rate |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. | Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. | Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: sun-sentinel.com
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