The Monticello woman arrested for allegedly leaving two-year-old foster child Antonio Suarez-Ware alone inside a hot car last month, leading to his death, was named in a previous report of alleged child abuse in April 2020, according to a police report obtained by the Times Union.
The report adds to questions about how Sullivan County’s Department of Social Services handles foster cases. Earlier this year, a grand jury recommended sweeping changes to the department after an investigation spurred by the 2023 death of another toddler who had been under county Child Protective Services’ supervision at the time. In the weeks since Antonio’s death, his biological family and a former CPS caseworker assistant assigned to his case have alleged that the county ignored red flags around the foster family, ultimately failing children they were supposed to protect.
Jason Dole spoke to Phillip Pantuso, Times Union Hudson Valley Editor for more on the paper’s reporting.
Image: Two-year-old Antonio Suarez-Ware died on July 16 of cardiac arrest after being left inside a hot car in Monticello for at least four hours, police say. (Photo Provided by Chante Ware)
I can tell you about a repeat story happening now through orange county foster department. The cops is not protecting my 2 year old granddaughter and are ignoring many warnings.
I myself had a similar situation I made several complaints about the foster home that at the time my youngest was living in I was told that I was simply angry and being spiteful about the situation I was in at the time about a month maybe a little less passed and literally 5 minutes before I was to walk into a court date I was informed that my child was moved on an emergency basis because they were investigating abuse in the home mind you there were several children in the home not just mine. With the investigation it was fully founded that the use of corporal punishment and starving was happening my child was 2 at the time I continuously made it known that he wasn’t himself always super hungry terrified to leave me and go back clothes not returning and he was always sent new clothing and pampers all essentials. I was ignored time and time again I thank the oldest child that was there for speaking up loud enough they finally listened and found out what was going on!! This is just a snippet of the turmoil and trauma myself and my little family has endured at the hands of Sullivan County Child and Family Services!!!! If people only knew what things took place from the beginning they would be shocked, it’s disgusting the way they work up there