Family, Ex-Caseworker of Child Who Died in Hot Car Say CPS Ignored Red Flags

The Monticello woman arrested for allegedly leaving 2-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.