Two N.J. child welfare workers assaulted, injured on job
Two child protection caseworkers were attacked and injured while they were removing a child from a suspected abusive home in Pennsville Township, Salem County on Tuesday, according to state officials.
"Two of our family service specialists were assaulted today in Pennsville, Salem County. We do not yet have all the facts but the incident occurred outdoors as our colleagues were leaving a family's residence," Children and Families Commissioner Allison Blake announced in a department-wide email just before 5 p.m. Tuesday. "We've told the alleged assailant is in police custody."
"At this moment we're thinking about our colleagues and their families. Both have been released from the hospital and we extend wishes to both for their quick and full recoveries," according to Blake's email, which was obtained NJ Advance Media. "We are providing trauma support services at out Salem local offices for employees who need assistance."
The spokesman for the Division of Child Protection and Permanency did not return requests for comment late Tuesday.
The assault reopened a rift between the union and the Christie administration over the security of child welfare employees who work in the field. In November, a caseworker was repeatedly stabbed and severely injured by a client who attacked her inside her office in Camden.
Blake assigned armed security guards to the local offices, but the police officers have not returned.
"This was exactly the purpose of the Human Services police. These workers could have been killed. No worker should be going out on a removal without a licensed police officer who has been specifically trained in child protective services," Rosenstein said.
The caseworkers did not request an officer to accompany them to the home, Rosenstein said.
Rosenstein said legislators support returning police officers to the local child welfare offices, and have sponsored "Leah's Law," named after Leah Coleman, the employee who was attacked in Camden.
"We need the Human Services Police back in DYFS offices available to support the critical and dangerous jobs our members do in protecting children," she said.
Pennsville Police could not immediately be reached for comment.