Lawmaker says 'the system failed' Jordan Brooks; Oswego leaders met with DSS Friday

Oswego County, NY — We have learned that Oswego county leaders met with the DSS commissioner on Friday to talk about the case of Jordan Brooks, the disabled teen who died of neglect at the hands of his parents. it's unclear what will happen next.

The Oswego County Administrator says Oswego County is looking into the actions of child protective services and other non-county service provider agencies leading up to Jordan Brooks' death. Investigators said Jordan's mom and stepdad are to blame for the malnutrition and lack of care for his life.

Lawmakers said the system clearly failed Jordan brooks. the same outrage many feel in this community.

"Obviously, the system failed poor Jordan here," said Republican Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, who represents Oswego County. "I'm pleased that there's at least an investigation and law enforcement involved, but I think there needs to be an investigation with DSS and why the system ended up failing Jordan."

At least 15 statements from Brooks' teachers and aides at school pointed to mounting concerns for his well-being from 2018 until his death in May 2021. Those concerns included bedsores from his wheelchair, dirty diapers, and trouble swallowing food.

 It seems particularly egregious the fact that there were people trying to help that, obviously the school district and the teachers, therapists there were trying to help Jordan. But for whatever reason, their voices were not being heard.

Late Monday--county administrator Philip church--said in the part quote: "we are further reviewing the actions of cps and those of other non-county service provider agencies leading up to this tragedy."

He calls Brook's death quote " a heartbreak felt deeply by all in DSS and Oswego county government." 

Church also pointed out they are concerned with making sure Jordan's younger sibling is safe.

Senator john Mannion commented on the case. He is the chair of the senate's committee on disabilities.

"We've got to support these systems, we've got to support our most vulnerable, and I'm committed to making sure that happens and we don't see tragedies like this in the future," says Senator John Mannion, (D) NY-50.

it's worth pointing out, many of these leaders did not have the court documents detailing the circumstances Jordan brooks was living in. We sent them to many people today, including the DSS commissioner's office.

Read the full Statement by Oswego County Administrator Phillip R. Church below: 

Thank you for contacting me and offering an interview regarding the Waldron case and for your patience. The meeting on Friday was for the DSS Commissioner and her staff to update the Chairman and I on the case history, within the limits of confidentiality laws. We are not normally privy to CPS case details. We reviewed internal actions DSS took after the fatality. We are further reviewing the actions of CPS and those of other non-county service provider agencies leading up to this tragedy.

Oswego County is committed to transparency and will be as open and forthcoming with information as is allowable. Although members of the media received law enforcement’s court filings last week, the DSS Commissioner was not provided with those documents until just this morning. Once DSS has had a chance to examine the documents and compare them to their own records, we will be able to comment further.

Also, it is important to keep in mind that there is a younger sibling to consider. Before any information is released or commented about, State Law (SSL 422-a) requires the DSS Commissioner to undergo a process to determine if releasing normally confidential information to the public could potentially pose harm to the sibling. That process is underway now. Our primary goals now are justice for Jordan and the safety and well-being of his sibling.

Oswego County’s child protective staff remain committed to protecting the health and safety of our most vulnerable children. This tragedy occurred during the pandemic, a period when CPS staff successfully conducted over 5,500 investigations, in-person, at risk to themselves. This dedication continues today and makes Jordan’s death a heartbreak felt deeply by all in DSS and Oswego County government.