MIDDLEBOROUGH, Mass. -- The head of the state Department of Social Services says his agency made errors in dealing with a 7-year-old boy who's mother's boyfriend is charged with abusing the child.
The boyfriend, 22-year-old David Privette, faces multiple charges in connection with the case, including allegedly burning the boy with cigarettes.
The boy's mother, 30-year-old Michelle Henry, was charged Thursday with reckless endangerment and assault and battery on a child causing injury.
Both have pleaded not guilty.
DSS Commissioner Angelo McClain says the agency failed to learn the identity and criminal background of Privette, who had served time for crack cocaine possession and assaulting a police officer.
McClain says the agency also failed to do its own physical examination of the boy, which would have revealed his injuries.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Suspected drunk driver hits mother, two children Bishop asked Patrick Kennedy not to receive Communion Deadly crash in Sumner Tunnel kills one woman Fuel spill shut down Route 3 in Chelmsford MBTA driver honored at Gillette Stadium Bill targeting elderly drivers stalls on Beacon Hill Parents' tempers flare at youth hockey game in Bridgewater Transgender inmate to renew request for electrolysis 