News Summary
The suicide of 16-year-old Kanaiyah Ward, a foster child in Maryland’s care, has raised serious concerns over child welfare practices. Her death has prompted the Department of Human Services to pause contracts with care providers and launch investigations. The tragedy has ignited discussions among state leaders about reforming the foster care system, culminating in a proposal for ‘Kanaiyah’s Law’ to limit hotel placements of foster children. Audits reveal systemic failures, emphasizing the urgent need for change in Maryland’s child welfare policies.
Baltimore, Maryland
A 16-year-old girl in the custody of Maryland’s Department of Human Services (DHS) died by suicide in a Baltimore hotel on September 22. Kanaiyah Ward was found dead in the Residence Inn by Marriott on North Wolfe Street. The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that her death was due to Diphenhydramine intoxication, an over-the-counter antihistamine commonly known as Benadryl. In the wake of this tragic incident, the DHS has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Shortly after news of Ward’s death broke, DHS paused its contract with Fenwick Behavioral Services, the company responsible for providing one-on-one aid to her. This decision raises serious concerns regarding the quality of care provided to vulnerable children in the state’s foster care system. Ward’s death has ignited widespread concern among state leaders across both political parties, prompting urgent discussions on child welfare practices in Maryland.
This event follows a recent audit which criticized the DHS and the Maryland Social Services Administration (SSA) for neglecting to protect children in their care. The audit outlined several alarming issues, including allegations of neglect related to medical needs. Notably, it revealed that 280 foster care children were housed in hotels during 2023 and 2024, raising questions about the adequacy of their care and oversight.
Background of the Situation
The audit identified serious deficiencies within the system. For example, there were reported failures to conduct criminal background checks for caregivers associated with foster children, with some registered sex offenders living in the same homes as guardianship placements. In light of this troubling information, Maryland Secretary of Human Services Rafael López acknowledged the gravity of the findings from the audit and emphasized the necessity for reform within the department.
Del. Jesse Pippy has expressed urgent concerns regarding the safety of other children in hotel placements and questioned the accountability of those responsible for their welfare. Additionally, Del. Kathy Szeliga criticized the apparent lack of immediate action from state leadership in response to the audit’s findings, highlighting the critical need for urgent reform in this area.
Proposed Legislative Action
In response to these ongoing issues, a proposed piece of legislation titled “Kanaiyah’s Law” aims to limit the placement of foster care children in hotels to no more than one week, unless additional oversight is provided. The legislation also seeks to enforce stricter requirements on service providers working with these children.
Del. Mike Griffith, who has personal experience in the foster care system, has stated that Kanaiyah’s tragic death exemplifies the systemic failures in the treatment of foster children. He has called for immediate legislative reform to address these issues effectively.
There remain significant concerns about the delayed response from DHS in pausing contracts with the service providers involved in Ward’s case, prompting further questions regarding accountability and the promptness of actions within child welfare services. The situation foregrounds an urgent need for systemic change to prevent further tragedies in Maryland’s foster care system.
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Additional Resources
- CBS News
- Wikipedia: Foster Care in the United States
- WBAL TV
- Google Search: Foster Care System Maryland
- CBS News Video
- Google Scholar: Foster Care Legislation
- Fox Baltimore
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Welfare
- WMAR 2 News
- Google News: Maryland Foster Care Incident
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
