CPFSA head must go, says PNPYO president
KINGSTON, Jamaica— President of the People’s National Party Youth Organisation (PNPYO), Senator Gabriela Morris, is calling for the resignation of Rosalee Gage-Grey, the top boss at the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) as the Public Service Commission looks into allegations of “gross breach” of care against her.
Morris’ demands follow the damning findings of an investigation which was carried out by the Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA) after reports surfaced in 2021 that the Agency associated itself with Carl Robanske, who has been accused of inappropriate interactions with a minor.
READ: Probe findings damning against CPSFA head Rosalee Gage-Grey
Morris stated that the actions of the head of the CPFSA indicate that she has failed in her administrative and moral duty to the wards of the State.
“What transpired at the CPFSA reeks of carelessness and should concern all well-thinking Jamaicans. It is alarming that the head of the CPFSA, who has a mandate to lead the agency charged with safeguarding children, admitted knowledge of Mr Robanske’s nefarious antecedents since 2018, yet still allowed him to have interactions with former wards of the State”, Morris said.
She further opined that the actions of Gage-Grey, and other members of the Agency who are involved, have cast a shadow of doubt on the CPFSA’s ability to protect children in State care.
As a result, Morris is calling on education minister Fayval Williams to conduct a thorough audit of the CPFSA and all other facilities that are charged with the care of wards of the State to ensure that the protocols that govern their work are followed.
“This incident should serve as a wake-up call to the Government that more attention needs to be directed to the work of the CPFSA and an overall improvement in the child protection system to fulfil our obligations under the Convention of the Rights of the Child,” Morris said.
Since reports from the OCA investigation have come to light, Minister Williams has reportedly handed over findings to the police to ascertain if any criminal charges can be brought against those involved.
Williams has also asked Gage-Grey to step aside while the investigation is being conducted.
