-
A Maryville man is dead after a fiery wreck on Saturday morning, according to a Tennessee Highway Patrol accident report.More >> A Maryville man is dead after a fiery wreck on Saturday morning, according to a Tennessee Highway Patrol accident report.More >> First lady Michelle Obama has some advice for some Tennessee high school graduates: strike your own path in college and life and work to overcome inevitable failures with determination and grit.More >> First lady Michelle Obama has some advice for some Tennessee high school graduates: strike your own path in college and life and work to overcome inevitable failures with determination and grit.More >> Prior to Saturday's $600 million Powerball jackpot drawing, people in Knoxville were talking about how they would spend that kind of money if they were to win.More >> Prior to Saturday's $600 million Powerball jackpot drawing, people in Knoxville were talking about how they would spend that kind of money if they were to win.More >> The International Biscuit Festival made its way to Knoxville this week, wrapping up on Saturday.More >> It's one of the most delicious times of year once again, as downtown Knoxville is transformed into a biscuit-lovers paradise. The International Biscuit Festival made its way back to town this week, wrapping up on Saturday.More >> A judge has sentenced a Clarksville woman convicted of assault for pouring hot oatmeal on her husband to diversion.More >> A judge has sentenced a Clarksville woman convicted of assault for pouring hot oatmeal on her husband to diversion.More >> U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander says the Tennessee Valley Authority will help keep a federal fish hatchery in East Tennessee stay open for at least three more years.More >> U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander says the Tennessee Valley Authority will help keep a federal fish hatchery in East Tennessee stay open for at least three more years.More >> Kenny Hall, former Vol basketball player is talking about his dealings with a University of Tennessee administrator in trouble for possible inappropriate relationships with student athletes.More >> Kenny Hall, former Vol basketball player is talking about his dealings with a University of Tennessee administrator in trouble for possible inappropriate relationships with student athletes.More >> A Kentucky veteran who was working as a civilian contractor in Afghanistan has died in an explosion in Kabul that killed at least 15 people including six Americans.More >> A Kentucky veteran who was working as a civilian contractor in Afghanistan has died in an explosion in Kabul that killed at least 15 people including six Americans.More >> A gang leader has been sentenced to serve more than 78 years in a federal prison for his role in three armed home invasion robberies in Nashville.More >> A gang leader has been sentenced to serve more than 78 years in a federal prison for his role in three armed home invasion robberies in Nashville.More >> A traffic crash in Memphis has thrown several children out of vehicles near a school.More >> Officials say a morning traffic crash in Memphis injured children who were ejected from a vehicle.More >>
By TRAVIS LOLLER
Associated Press
NASHVILLE (AP) - At its most basic level, the job of child welfare agencies is to keep children alive. Recently, the Tennessee Department of Children's Services has had trouble keeping track of how many children died in its custody.
The disarray in the department's records was 1 of the problems that pushed commissioner Kate O'Day to resign this week. Child advocates wonder whether the agency's administrative troubles could be putting children in jeopardy.
Ira Lustbader is associate director of Children's Rights, which works with independent monitors to keep track of how well DCS cares for foster children. He says DCS has to have a way to track child deaths and investigate them.
Lustbader says he is hoping to work with interim commissioner Jim Henry to get the agency back on track.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
