Washington County CYS Director Resigns, Accused Of Mishandling Abuse Allegations
GREENSBURG (KDKA) -- Tim Kimmel is the Director of Human Services for Washington County.
"No matter how small or frivolous the information might seem at the time, we're obligated to report suspected child abuse situations to the state." Kimmel said.
He said Deputy Director Dee Dee Blosnich-Gooden was hired at Washington County CYS in 2013 and has done a wonderful job.
"She would get me information I needed. She would make phone calls that needed to be made. She was always there and always followed through," Kimmel said.
Thursday morning, she submitted her resignation. Turns out, Blosnich-Gooden was approached about suspected child abuse in 2012 involving a foster child police say Joelle Barozzini, 46, of Greensburg allegedly raped "hundreds of times." Blosnich-Gooden was director of Greene County CYS at the time when a caseworker reported the allegations to Pressley Ridge where Barozzini worked. Police say Blosnich-Gooden never addressed the allegations and reprimanded the caseworker instead.
"In my opinion, she should have made a report to ChildLine and reported the suspected abuse situation and immediately started an investigation," Kimmel said.
Greensburg Police said Barrozini fostered many other children over the years and they're working with them to see if they witnessed the abuse or were abused as well.
If Blosnich-Gooden wouldn't have resigned, Kimmel said he would have wanted to hear her side of the story before making a decision on what to do next. He said Blosnich-Gooden will officially leave her position Friday although he believes she won't physically be at work for her last day.
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