Big news is breaking tonight. But there’s no bigger news than the state’s failure to look after children. We’ve been tussling for weeks to get the so-called Arkansas Human Services Department to provide more information about the four deaths of children in the state’s custody this year. DHS has been stonewalling and Gov. Mike Beebe, the putative leader of the state, has shown little interest in giving the public an accounting for an agency under his direct control.

Get ready for another horror story. It’s in this week’s Arkansas Times. Leslie Peacock reports on DHS’ failure to protect a battered child, the child perhaps saved from death by a grocery store worker who noticed the battered child and called authorities. A case worker’s failure to take custody of the child is one thing. The child’s temporary home with another DHS worker is another. It’s a tragedy and a disaster.

Advertisement

Gov. Beebe, can we trouble you to give a damn?

Be a part of something bigger

As a reader of the Arkansas Times, you know we’re dedicated to bringing you tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, we've been fighting the good fight in Little Rock and beyond – with your support, we can do even more. By becoming a subscriber or donating as little as $1 to our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage and continue to bring important stories to light. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, it's clear that our readers value our great journalism. Join us in the fight for truth.

Previous article Fun Picture Trick Next article Our boy Bill