A Rock Hill legislator plans to ask the state to audit
Department of Social Services cases after the release of a report that
workers were suspended for failing to hold required meetings with
members of a family killed last year while under state scrutiny.
Rep. Gary Simrill has asked for a legislative audit of all similar
DSS cases in the state.
In August, the three children of Nicaraguan-born Jose "Denis" and
Marbely Meza were killed by one or both of their parents, who also died.
All five bodies were found in their burned home outside Rock Hill.
Simrill said he asked the Legislature's auditing staff Monday to
prepare to review how DSS handles investigations and carries out
mandatory family meetings and case oversight. Simrill said he wants the
audit "so hopefully other families don't have to go through a tragedy
like this."
Denis Meza, Marbely Meza or both, drugged their children -- Denia,
14, Denise, 8, and Jayro, 5 -- and slashed their throats.
Denis Meza was barred from living at home by a DSS safety plan. DSS
began investigating the Mezas in May after Denis Meza was accused of
molesting Denia.
On Friday, DSS released disciplinary records that showed workers had
been disciplined for failing to adequately meet and communicate with
members of the Meza family and other people connected to the case.
Five legislators must sign a request for an audit for one to be done,
but Simrill said he will ask the entire York County delegation to sign
the request.
Rep. Greg Delleney, R-Chester and Rep. Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill,
both said they would support the audit.
The DSS records in the Meza case are "pretty sad," Norman said.
The S.C. Legislative Audit Council conducts independent audits of
state programs and agencies at the behest of members of the Legislature.
DSS was unaware Simrill wanted an audit, but the office would comply
as it has in other audits by the Legislative Audit Council, agency
lawyer Virginia Williamson said.
DSS is a cabinet-level agency of the governor's office.
"At the moment, we are satisfied with the steps DSS has taken,"
governor's office spokesman Will Folks said Monday afternoon about the
Meza case.
The audit council request should be drafted and sent to the York
County delegation within a couple of days, Simrill said.
Andrew Dys • 329-4065
adys@heraldonline.com
