COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The Latest on a $3.75 million verdict in a South Carolina child abuse case (all times local):
4:20 p.m.
The South Carolina Department of Social Services says the abuse of a toddler that led to a $3.75 million verdict against the agency is a heartbreaking tragedy.
DSS spokeswoman Karen Wingo said Monday in a statement that the award given by a Spartanburg County jury shows that social workers must remain vigilant.
The attorney for the toddler’s family says she suffered two broken arms, a broken leg, bites to her back and had her hair pulled out by her mother’s boyfriend. The attorney also said the abuse happened after the child’s grandmother called DSS and visited the agency’s office in 2013.
Wingo says the number of child abuse investigations has nearly doubled from 2013 to 2016 as complaints are investigated more often. New DSS Director Susan Alford took over in 2015.
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1:55 p.m.
A jury in South Carolina has awarded $3.75 million to the family of a child after finding social workers failed to investigate abuse claims.
Attorney Heather Hite Stone said in a news release Monday that the toddler suffered two broken arms, a broken leg, bites to her back and had her hair pulled out by her mother’s boyfriend.
Stone says the child’s grandmother complained to the Department of Social Services on the phone and in person before the toddler ended up in the hospital, but the agency did not investigate.
Robert Steadman Jr. pleaded guilty to the 2013 abuse and is serving a 20-year prison sentence.
DSS has not responded to last Thursday’s verdict in Spartanburg County.
Under South Carolina law, the toddler’s family will likely only get about $400,000.
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