Resignation of Santa Clara County Child Welfare Chief Following Baby’s Drug-Related Death
Damion Wright, the director of Santa Clara County’s child welfare agency, is stepping down following intense scrutiny after the tragic fentanyl-related death of a 3-month-old infant. This incident shed light on the agency’s concerning practice of leaving children in unsafe home environments. Wright, who took on the role of Director of the Department of Family and Children’s Services just months after the infant’s passing in May 2023, announced his resignation this week.
Wright’s Departure and Reasons Behind It
In a letter addressed to his staff, Wright cited the recent loss of his father as the catalyst for his decision to accept a new position in Southern California. He expressed gratitude for the progress the agency had made in the past year towards improving workplace practices that prioritize child safety. His resignation will be effective on January 17, marking the end of his tenure as the head of the Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children’s Services.
Background and Investigations
The child welfare agency faced increased scrutiny after the death of Phoenix Castro, the 3-month-old infant who tragically passed away from ingesting a lethal combination of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Hospital officials had raised concerns about Phoenix’s health, related to her mother’s drug use during pregnancy. Despite warnings from a social worker overseeing the case of the infant’s siblings, the agency allowed Phoenix to be sent home, ultimately leading to her untimely death.
Impact and Ongoing Reforms
The investigation also revealed that the agency had overlooked other drug-related infant deaths and that the legal team frequently overrode recommendations to remove children from dangerous living conditions. The agency’s focus on keeping children with their families, while commendable, inadvertently put these children at risk.
In the wake of Wright’s resignation, Santa Clara County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas expressed her well wishes for his future endeavors and reiterated her commitment to working towards ongoing reforms within the Department of Family and Children’s Services. As the county grapples with this tragic loss and the systemic issues within the child welfare system, the community must come together to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations.
