Social worker, boss charged in death of a 3-year-old

Prosecutors on Monday took the rare step of charging a social worker and her boss with manslaughter and child abuse, alleging they neglected to do everything required to protect a 3-year-old Detroit boy who died.

Child Protective Services worker Elaina Brown and her supervisor, Kelly Williams, were arraigned on charges of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree child abuse and neglect in the death of Aaron Minor.

Prosecutors allege that after identifying Aaron as vulnerable, Brown and Williams failed to provide a safety plan, ask police to conduct a safety check or file a juvenile court petition on Aaron’s behalf.

Deanna Kelley, the attorney representing Kelly Williams, said Aaron’s death was “unspeakable,” but every tragedy isn’t “the result of a crime.” Kelley added she doesn’t understand why prosecutors would charge people “who have dedicated their lives to helping and protecting children.”