| Releases
& Statements
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
October 16, 2008
Contact: Sarah Krauss
(212) 669-4193; (917) 541-0936
Statement from Public Advocate Gotbaum on the Death of 8-Month-Old at City Homeless Shelter
Public Advocate Gotbaum said, "The death of eight-month-old Elijah Rodriguez is deeply troubling. We are awaiting more information and details on this case but, tragically, child fatalities in the city shelter system are a reoccurring problem. We must do more to improve coordination between ACS and DHS and to keep children safe in city shelters..
Between 2004-2006, 20 children have died in the shelter system. Since my office released a report last year on child fatalities in the city’s homeless shelter system, at least eight more children have died. My report included important recommendations for both ACS and DHS to strengthen their practices and improve their protection of children in the shelter system. We must have increased prevention measures to protect the lives of these at-risk children.
After the death of Colesvinton Florestal in the shelter system four years ago,I introduced and the City Council passed legislation requiring shelters to post signs reminding shelter workers that they are mandated reporters of abuse and to post signs that inform parents of proper sleeping positions, as well as requiring additional training for shelter staff."
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