Video: StateBill.com via YouTube
Maryann Hartmann testified Thursday on SB10-171, sponsored by Sen. Linda Newell.
STATE BILL COLORADO
A Colorado Springs woman, Maryann Hartmann, told a Senate committee Thursday that she listened over a baby monitor to a neighbor abusing a 2-year-old foster child. The child later died, the neighbor was convicted and sent to prison, and the case is being put forth to advance SB10-171 by Sen. Linda Newell that would create a social-services ombudsman to prevent future tragedies.
Here’s how Colorado news organizations covered the story.
Colorado Springs Gazette: A Colorado Springs toddler would still be alive if the state had more oversight of child protection programs, a witness told a state Senate committee on Thursday. Mary Ann Hartman said El Paso County child welfare officials didn’t believe her in 2007 when she told them her neighbor, Jules Lynn Cuneo, was abusing Alizé Vick, a two-year-old foster child in Cuneo’s care. Months later, Vick died from head injuries, and last month a jury convicted Cuneo of child abuse resulting in death. Hartman is backing a bill before the state Senate, SB171, that would establish a child welfare ombudsman office to oversee child abuse prevention efforts – a place Hartman said she would have taken her concerns.
KDVR: Three years ago, Mary Ann Hartman tried to save the life of a 2-year-old girl who was beaten to death by her foster mother in El Paso County. That little girl, Alize Vick, died after Hartman’s reports to the county’s child protective services department fell on deaf ears, Hartman came to the Capitol on Thursday and told her story to the public for the first time with the hope it might save the lives of future children in the state’s care. Hartman testified in support of Senate Bill 171, which would establish an independent ombudsman to oversee the state’s 64 county child protective services divisions to assure that fewer reports fall through the cracks, as hers did.
9News: Alize Vick was 2 years old when she died from child abuse and neglect by her foster care provider. On Thursday, her neighbor and the person who reported the abuse, stood in front of a state senate committee in support of Senate Bill 171.
Video: StateBill.com via YouTube
Sen. Linda Newell introduces her SB10-171 to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
