Seven child protection workers with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office have been disciplined for mishandling allegations that Janiya Thomas' mother was abusing her five children.
Internal Affairs reports originally obtained by the Bradenton Herald show the most severe discipline the employees received for mistakes uncovered after Janiya was found dead in a freezer on Oct. 18 was two days without pay.
Child protection officials disciplined by the sheriff's office are:
- Deputy Director Robert Wilson: 8-hour suspension without pay and a letter of reprimand.
- Supervisor Kristina Hall: 16-hour suspension without pay.
- Supervisor Linda Young: 16-hour suspension without pay.
- Supervisor Stephanie Metcalf-Clark: 8-hour suspension without pay.
- Supervisor Michelle Davis: letter of reprimand.
- Investigator Troy Simon: 8-hour suspension without pay and a letter of reprimand.
- Investigator Danielle McCoy: letter of reprimand.
IA report: CPI Troy Simon, CPSS Linda Young, CPSS Stephanie Metcalf-Clark
Eleven-year-old Janiya had been dead since January or February 2015, but it was not until Sept. 23 when investigators came to her mother Keishanna Thomas' home to investigate a 12th allegation of abuse against the mother of five, that they realized that Janiya was missing. However, Janiya was not reported as officially missing to the Bradenton Police Department until Oct. 16.
Thomas is currently charged with first-degree murder, abuse of a dead body, aggravated child abuse and child abuse. If convicted of first-degree murder she will face a mandatory life in prison sentence since she the state has said it will not seek the death penalty.
In November, the sheriff's office launched the internal affairs investigation after initial reviews by the sheriff's office and the Florida Department of Children and Families found significant failures with how investigations were handled.
TO READ THE CRITICAL INCIDENT RAPID RESPONSE TEAM'S REPORT: Click Here.
FULL CASE FILE REPORTS FROM THE DCF: Click Here.
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