MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A caseworker responsible for helping protect Paisley Brown’s surviving siblings has been arrested after deputies say she failed to report suspected child abuse.
Cristina Feliz, 35, worked for Kids Central Inc., a contracted provider for the Florida Department of Children and Families. Her arrest is the latest development involving the children placed in another caregiver’s home after their 3-year-old sister’s death in February.
Deputies say Feliz was told about a video allegedly showing that caregiver, Vanessa Pawlicki, abusing a child, but did not report the information.
What deputies say Feliz knew
According to the arrest report, Feliz said she did not want to “get in the middle” of the situation and did not report the suspected abuse because the information came from a third party.
The report also describes an interview with Kids Central Assistant Director Ron Paisley, who told investigators that employees without firsthand information were not the ones to call in suspected abuse and instead urged the person providing the information to report it.
According to the report, Paisley described that approach as common knowledge or standard procedure statewide, rather than an organizational policy.
In a statement to Channel 9, Kids Central said the assistant director was attempting to explain that information from a second, third or fourth party “may or may not meet the threshold of ‘reasonable cause to suspect’” abuse.
Kids Central and DCF respond
Kids Central said mandatory reporting applies to all people in Florida who know or have reasonable cause to suspect abuse.
“Kids Central is aware of the allegations involving one of our employees and takes this matter very seriously,” the organization said. “We are cooperating fully with law enforcement.”
The organization declined to discuss specific details, citing the investigation.
DCF confirmed Feliz is employed by Kids Central, rather than directly by the department.
“Children depend on those entrusted with their care to act to protect them,” DCF said in a statement. “A failure to meet that responsibility is unacceptable.”
The department said it would continue working with law enforcement and Kids Central to address the concerns and take appropriate action.
A family already affected by abuse
Paisley’s mother’s boyfriend, Jeroen Coombs, faces a first-degree murder charge in the toddler’s death. Her mother, Jennifer Kendrick, faces a manslaughter charge for allegedly failing to protect her.
After their arrests, Paisley’s surviving siblings were placed with Pawlicki, who was later arrested on child abuse allegations.
Community advocate Wendy Irizarry, who helped raise money for the children, questioned the repeated failures.
“There’s just been failure after failure after failure,” Irizarry said. “When does something good happen?”
How to report suspected abuse
Florida law requires immediate reporting when a person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse, abandonment or neglect.
The Florida Abuse Hotline accepts reports around the clock at 1-800-962-2873 or through its online reporting system.
If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
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