Misplaced Trust: An Investigation of the Death of Sabrina Ray, September 8, 2020

(2020) Misplaced Trust: An Investigation of the Death of Sabrina Ray, September 8, 2020. Iowa Citizens' Aide/Ombudsman

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Abstract

This report presents our investigative findings and conclusions on the performance of the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) to properly license, interact with, and oversee Marc and Misty Ray. The Rays’ oldest adopted child, Sabrina, was starved to death under their care in 2017. DHS was charged with fulfilling a host of responsibilities with the Rays after the agency permitted the couple to serve as foster parents, adopt four children, and run a daycare out of their Perry home. As part of our investigation, we also examined the role of the Mid-Iowa Family Therapy Clinic (Mid-Iowa), which was contracted by DHS to provide Family, Safety, Risk, and Permanency (FSRP) services to three children who were placed in foster care with the Rays. Throughout this report, we reach conclusions on several of DHS’s general practices and policies, and we present 14 recommendations to strengthen Iowa’s child-welfare programs.