Allegations of “gross negligence” inside Oklahoma DHS: The call for an investigation

Oklahoma Rep. Justin Humphrey (R-Lane) alleges that the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) has failed to protect children from sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect. He claims to have personally exposed multiple violations and alleged illegal acts within DHS. Because of this, he has asked the state’s attorney general to convene a multicounty grand jury to investigate the department.

"I believe a substantial portion of DHS employees and administration have intentionally ignored or participated in blatant abuse and abhorrent criminal acts," Humphrey said.

Humphrey’s request follows a similar call from Lincoln and Pottawatomie Counties District Attorney Adam Panter. In a news release, Humphrey stated that Panter's words perfectly capture his own sentiments:

"My anger towards those who fail to protect children is only eclipsed by my anger towards those who harm them, and I plan to deal with each accordingly. Therefore, I will not let this issue rest or be ignored until justice is obtained for every one of the children who suffered preventable rapes, sexual assaults, physical abuse, or extreme neglect due to DHS’s failures. As for those who perpetrated the abuse in the first place, they will be prosecuted as harshly and as aggressively as the law allows." – DA Panter in his letter to AG Drummond

Humphrey also alleges that DHS has instructed employees not to speak to legislators, which he claims is an attempt to “obscure the truth.”

“I have reports of DHS employees demanding parents sign blank forms, and in some cases, I have reports that DHS is deceiving parents into signing forms to terminate their parental rights,” Humphrey wrote in his letter to AG Drummond.

If a grand jury is convened, it will review evidence to determine whether there is enough probable cause to suggest a crime was committed. If probable cause is established, formal charges could follow.