The tragic story of Thomas Valva has been making headlines for a while now. Thomas was an 8-year-old boy who was allegedly subjected to severe abuse by his father, Michael Valva, and his then-fiancée, Angela Pollina. Despite mounting evidence of abuse, Child Protective Services (CPS) employees, caseworkers, and supervisors took little action against the couple. Eventually, Thomas lost his life, and his mother, Justyna Zubko-Valva, filed a $200 million lawsuit against CPS, agency employees, and others.
New records show that three CPS employees who played significant roles in investigating the abuse allegations against the couple were promoted after Thomas’s death. This news has sparked outrage among CPS critics, who believe that the promotions and lack of accountability indicate a severe problem with the agency. Daniel Levler, the head of the union that represents CPS workers, claims that the employees followed agency regulations during the investigation, and he is not aware of any employees facing disciplinary action for their involvement in the Valva case.
But isn’t it ridiculous that employees who may have played a part in the death of a child can be promoted? If anything, CPS workers should be suspended while investigations occur to ensure that they are not responsible for another tragedy. There should be accountability for their actions or inactions, especially when it comes to the safety and wellbeing of children.
One way to increase accountability in cases like these is to introduce cameras in courtrooms. Cameras would provide a record of what happens, which could be used to hold people accountable for their actions. In the case of Thomas Valva, if there had been cameras in the courtroom, we would have a record of how CPS workers handled the investigation and whether they did everything in their power to protect Thomas. It’s time to take action and hold people accountable for their actions. Cameras in courtrooms could be one step towards ensuring that justice is served.
