Social Workers in Child Abuse Case Placed on Leave

Social Workers in Child Abuse Case Placed on Leave
By EMILY VALDEZ
Fox 8 News Reporter
8:10 p.m. EST, December 20, 2010

CLEVELAND — Two social workers involved with a case of alleged child abuse have been placed on administrative leave.

An internal review was launched by the Department of Children & Family Services Monday after a 46-year-old Cleveland woman was arrested for child endangerment and domestic violence.

In a statement released Monday, DCFS said:

"The Department of Children & Family Services conducted an internal review of all contacts with the children and families involved. Director Forkas placed two staff on administrative leave; further internal investigation is ongoing."

Renee Lester is accused of keeping her four adoptive children locked in a dark room with little to eat. She was arrested Friday at her Edgewater Drive home and taken to the Cleveland City Jail.

Cleveland police said the prosecutor's office is not filing charges against Lester at this time. She was released from jail Monday evening pending further investigation, officials said.

Lester's four adoptive children, along with three of her other children, are now in the custody of Children and Family Services.

All seven children will be placed with a foster family today, the statement said.

Additional details were not released.