City's Watchdog to Investigate ACS and Selfhelp Following Alleged Child Abuse Incident
The city's independent watchdog will investigate the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) and contractor Selfhelp following an incident where an ACS-funded babysitter was caught on camera allegedly beating two young children with a belt. The Department of Investigation plans to look into the vetting practices of the ACS-contracted vendor, Selfhelp, which has received nearly $400 million in city contracts since 2008.
Geraldine Jaramillo, a Bronx mother, reported that her ACS-funded babysitter, La’keysha Jackson, was filmed beating her 4 and 6-year-old children multiple times. Despite sharing the footage with the police, Jackson's whereabouts remain unknown. This incident comes after a previous Selfhelp employee was found drinking and smoking while watching the children.
While the DOI intends to investigate the matter, access to caregiver records and involvement with children may be limited by State law, as highlighted by Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber. ACS spokesperson Marisa Kaufman emphasized that the safety and well-being of New York City's children are a top priority, and they are looking into the situation.
Questions have been raised about the delay in apprehending Jackson, with police stating that she is still at large. A neighbor mentioned that Jackson had not been seen recently, but her family has been living in the area for years. Selfhelp has terminated Jackson's employment and is cooperating with investigations by ACS and the NYPD.
Selfhelp, a non-profit founded in 1936 to assist refugees from Nazi Germany, has been awarded millions in city contracts since 2008. They have a long-standing relationship with ACS, providing Homemaker services, similar to those used by Jaramillo. The organization serves over 26,000 seniors and has assets totaling $250 million.
In conclusion, the investigation into the incident involving the ACS-funded babysitter and the subsequent actions taken by Selfhelp will shed light on the vetting practices and oversight of contracted vendors. The safety and well-being of children under the care of these agencies remain a top priority, and thorough investigations are essential to prevent such incidents in the future.