Louisiana DCFS Secretary Resigns After Multiple Child Deaths

The head of Louisiana's Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Secretary Marketa Garner Walters, has resigned from her position. She had been under fire recently for the actions, and inaction, of her department. Which some are blaming for the deaths of multiple children in Louisiana.

Walters had been running the department for 6 years, but the last year has been filled with contention and complaint. Over the last few months, multiple children have died after being reported to Department of Children and Family Services. This includes a baby who died of an apparent overdose.

As many have reported, the death of 1-year-old Jarhei Paul appears to have been the final tragedy that has pushed Walters out. Paul died on October 31st, 2022, and just days later Walters told reporters she "wasn't going anywhere". But now today, less than two weeks after Paul's death, Walters put in her resignation with the Governor's office.

Reports say that Department of Children and Family Services were notified that 1-year-old Paul was in danger on October 20th, 2022. At least 11 days before he was overdosed with fentnyl. Just yesterday, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards issued his first statements on the boy's death, calling it a "absolute failure" on the DCFS. Walters blamed the "oversights" on staffing changes. Governor Edwards accepted Walter's resignation today.

However it won't be an immediate resignation. Walters will be taking a "personal leave" from her position. Then she will be allowed to retire at the end of the year.