Markell Names Widener Dean to Probe Bradley Fiasco

In a move that absolutely had to be made, Gov. Markell has announced an investigation into the systemic failures that enabled Dr. Earl Bradley to abuse children under his care for years. The Governor has appointed Widener Law School  Dean Dr. Linda Ammons to head the probe.

From Jeff Montgomery’s News-Journal article:

Allegations date to at least 1999, police have confirmed, with as many as 100 or more potential victims. Police also are examining his record in years prior to 1999.

Court documents show that some doctors and police were aware of accusations and complaints against Bradley for years, but investigations never led to arrests or a search warrant, or formal complaints to the state’s Board of Medical Practice.

The Governor emphasized that this review will in no way jeopardize ongoing legal proceedings. From the press release:

Markell made clear that Dean Ammons’ review must not and will not jeopardize the current prosecution in the Lewes pediatrician case or the Attorney General’s ongoing investigation of whether anyone violated the current reporting requirements under the existing statutory scheme.

“Not only must we ensure a successful prosecution in this case, we must have, and Dean Ammons will help provide, real answers to how and why the system failed and a roadmap to protect our children going forward,” Markell said. “While the Attorney General will prosecute the laws that were broken, this independent review will help decide whether we have the right laws, processes and procedures in place for the handling of future child abuse and sexual exploitation cases.”

The Governor’s office also has listed items to be investigated in this probe:

1. Professional reporting requirements for suspected incidents of misconduct and the enforcement thereof;

2. Professional licensing requirements, procedures and enforcement, including comprehensive background checks and procedures for on-going review;

3. Medical standards and protocols around proper pediatric care and the publication thereof to ensure that doctors, medical staff and parents have clear guidance;

4. The sufficiency of outreach efforts regarding reporting requirements, so that those with legal obligations to report questionable behavior do so;

5. Proper communication and coordination between law enforcement agencies, professional regulators and the medical community;

6. Ensuring that adequate services are provided for the protection and treatment of children suspected of being sexually abused in order to protect them from further harm.

This massive failure of a state system rivals, if not eclipses, what happened at the Delaware Psychiatric Center. There were safeguards in place that should have prevented this had agencies and individuals done what was required of them. A comprehensive probe into why the State failed these vulnerable children is absolutely essential to make sure that the system is fail-safe and to rid it of anyone who failed to exercise their responsibility to protect our most vulnerable. No politics, no whitewash.

Today was a good start, but it is only a start.