Dayton directs changes in child protection system

Published 10:25 am Monday, September 22, 2014

ST. PAUL — Gov. Mark Dayton is expected to order some changes to the state’s child protection system following the death of a 4-year-old boy whose case has been recently profiled.

The governor’s office says Dayton on Monday will call on experts, legislators and others to recommend additional improvements to be considered by the state Legislature in 2015.

The Star Tribune has reported how the system failed to protect Eric Dean who was killed last year by his stepmother. Dayton has called the boy’s death a “colossal failure” by Pope County whose child protection agency should have notified law enforcement about reports of maltreatment.

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Pope County child protection officials say the department continually assesses its efforts to protect children.