The began investigating social workers' accusations of the state's punitive actions last month, as a result of KING 5’s reporting. Patrick Dowd, director of the ombuds’ office, said his team recently began interviews with after-hours staff and the foster youth who frequently cycle in and out of
placements at hotels and offices. He expects to complete the investigation by November, and he said he will publicly share the results in his offices’ annual report. “I don’t think you're going to find cases... of deliberate cruelty to children,” Hunter said during the meeting. Hunter continued to deny social workers’ accusations that the department has a practice of withholding basic necessities from foster youth who don’t behave. He said DCYF has adequate bedding options in every state office, and he again refuted social workers’ claims that the state has forced foster youth to spend the night in cars.