OCA Investigations

The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) released findings and recommendations following a multi-system investigation into the case of Harmony Montgomery, who was declared missing by the New Hampshire authorities in December 2021. 

The OCA details the progress several state entities have made in implementing the OCA’s recommendations from its March 2021 multi-system investigation into the death of David Almond. See the full investigation below.

In March 2021, the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) released findings and recommendations following a multi-system investigation into the October 2020 death of David Almond, a 14-year old autistic triplet residing in Fall River. Secretary Marylou Sudders of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) requested that the OCA conduct an independent investigation, linked below, into the actions and inactions of state agencies from which the Almond family was entitled to receive state services. The OCA identified several key findings relative to this case which are described in the report below.

In March 2022, the OCA released a report on the implementation of the 26 recommendations. The report, linked here, outlines the many timely and concerted actions the state entities have taken to address the OCA’s recommendations.   

The OCA was asked by Governor Baker to conduct an independent review of the Commonwealth’s involvement with two-year-old Bella Bond and her family during her short life. The OCA’s review examines the role of DCF when it was involved with the Bond family, and of other public agencies and community service providers from whom the family received professional services or financial support. The goal was to determine if opportunities were missed to raise concerns about the safety and well-being of Bella.

The OCA’s review reinforces that the safety and well being of a child is the shared responsibility of the family, community, and entities responsible for providing assistance to children and families. It is not intended to place blame, but rather to gather and synthesize information from multiple sources. To that end the OCA presents findings and recommendations for improvement in the Commonwealth’s ability to protect children.  The completed OCA report is available here.

The Office of the Child Advocate conducted an independent investigation into the disappearance of Jeremiah Oliver and DCF’s work with the Oliver family. The OCA investigation included a review of DCF records and other documents and interviews with agency, union, and law enforcement personnel. The OCA concluded that the high caseloads at DCF’s North Central Area Office provide a context rather than an explanation or excuse for the repeated failures of the DCF employees. The complete OCA report, along with the DCF Investigation Report of December 30, 2013 is available here.

The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) received a Critical Incident Report on July 8, 2013, regarding the death of three-month-old Chase Gideika. Secretary John Polanowicz of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) requested that the OCA conduct an independent investigation into DCF's work with Chase Gideika’s family. This investigation included extensive document review and interviews with agency, union, and law enforcement personnel. A statement summarizing the OCA’s observations and recommendations is available below.