Get Involved

I was appalled and greatly saddened by the death of Nixzmary Brown. She was allegedly beaten and tortured by her step-father Cesar Rodriguez and her mother Nixzaliz Santiago allowed this to occur. I just don’t understand how Nixzmary could have fallen through the cracks. It seems reminiscent of the Lisa Steinberg case, who was beaten and killed by Joel Steinberg, her illegally adoptive father. You would think the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) would have learned from that case and been able to prevent this from happening again.
We must all get involved and go something. Anyone who suspects that a child is being abused or mistreated must call the seven days-a-week state’s 24 hour hot-line. Anonymous calls receive the same attention as calls made by people who provide names.
If the child protective specialist who takes the call determines there is reasonable cause to suspect abuse or maltreatment, a report is sent to the local child welfare agency. In New York City, that is ACS, and in Nassau and Suffolk counties, it is Child Protective Services.
The local agency is required to open an investigation within 24 hours and has 60 days under law to complete it. The state child abuse hotline is 1-800-342-3720. The state office of children and family services website is,www.ocfs.state.ny.us and includes more information about reporting suspected abuse.
Remember, “Evil thrives when good people do nothing.”
Frederick R. Bedell
Bellerose