Oklahoma DHS

Recent Articles from NewsOK and The Oklahoman

DHS is thankful for students’ efforts November 24, 2008 Oklahoma families statewide are preparing for the holidays by shopping for turkeys, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pies and all the traditional fixings for a perfect Thanksgiving dinner. But for some Oklahomans, an unstable economy, job losses and higher prices for food and other commodities mean that Thanksgiving will be... Read More
Survey: Half in Oklahoma use child care December 28, 2008 Designating whether a county is in a standard or enhanced area is one of six factors the Oklahoma Department of Human Services uses to determine state rates paid to child care facilities. ''The department is always monitoring and assessing policies and procedures," said Beth Scott of the DHS office of... Read More
Group cites examples in Oklahoma DHS suit December 28, 2008 DHS received serious complaints of abuse and neglect involving foster children in its care but failed to disclose the complaints to judges handling their child welfare cases, according to documents filed in an ongoing Tulsa federal lawsuit against the agency. In one 2007 case, a boy told an Oklahoma Department of... Read More
Details emerge in Ada pastor’s molestation case December 25, 2008 ADA — Authorities said a preacher told the Pontotoc County undersheriff he did not know why he had been molesting two boys for several months, but it might have something to do with blood pressure medications he took. Kenneth Wayne Huneycutt, 60, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, was charged this week with... Read More
Tight funds worry Oklahoma agencies December 23, 2008 Darrell Weaver recalls the last time the state struggled to make ends meet. Weaver, now the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs director, was working with agents who were trying to stop the drug trade here in 2003, when the state suffered a $700 million shortfall. "It was just a very lean time. I remember... Read More
Funeral set for 4-year-old Chickasha girl December 21, 2008 CHICKASHA Funeral set for 4-year-old girl Funeral arrangements have been made for a Chickasha preschooler who died Thursday evening after the car she was in rolled down her driveway and hit a tree. Four-year-old Emily Danielle Geddes died after the crash outside her home in the 1300 block of S 14th. The funeral... Read More
Funeral planned for Chickasha girl who died in driveway crash December 20, 2008 CHICKASHA — Funeral arrangements have been made for a Chickasha preschooler who died Thursday evening after the car she was left alone in rolled down her driveway and hit a tree. Four-year-old Emily Danielle Geddes died following the car crash outside her home in the 1300 block of S. 14 St. The funeral for... Read More
Questions lingering in 4-year-old Chickasha girl's death December 20, 2008 CHICKASHA — Police and investigators with the state Department of Human Services are trying to figure out how a 4-year-old girl was killed when the car she had been left alone in apparently rolled out of a driveway Thursday evening and struck a tree. Police are not releasing much information about the... Read More
PLUGGING IN: Global Power marks profit December 19, 2008 OKLAHOMA Global Power marks profit TULSA — Global Power Equipment Group Inc. reported profits of $17 million on revenues of $129.9 million for the three-month period ended Sept. 30. The Tulsa company, which designs and makes power generating systems, had forecast quarterly revenue of $93.7 million as part of... Read More
Spencer boy left unattended in car spurs charges for woman December 17, 2008 A Spencer woman was charged Tuesday with child neglect, accused of leaving a 5-year-old boy in her vehicle for four hours while she went to a doctor’s appointment in October. Tammy Terell Harding, a former day-care operator, told police she forgot the boy was there. "Accidents happen,” she said,... Read More
Oklahoma licensing law closes Edmond day care December 11, 2008 EDMOND — A child care center is shutting down indefinitely today as operators seek licensing through the state Department of Human Services. On Wednesday, officials at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School posted an announcement for parents about the closing of the school’s Child Development Center... Read More
Rogers County man pleads guilty to murder of 4-year-old December 10, 2008 CLAREMORE – A Rogers County man pleaded guilty today to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life without the chance of parole for the beating death of his girlfriend’s son, said prosecutor Ray Hasselman. Steven Wayde Lockler, Jr., 28, of Claremore entered the plea in Rogers County District Court in... Read More
IN BRIEF: Man wounded in Locust Grove shoot-out December 09, 2008 LOCUST GROVE MAN WOUNDED IN SHOOT-OUT A man was in critical condition Monday after a shoot-out with law enforcement officers Sunday afternoon, authorities said. Robert Lee Thompson, 37, of Rose, armed with two rifles, took a resident hostage near Locust Grove about 2 p.m., Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. George Brown... Read More
Oklahoma DHS parenting program success cited December 05, 2008 A pilot program to reduce child abuse and neglect is showing results and should continue to receive state funding, a coordinator of the program told a state House committee Thursday. The Safe Care Plus program consists of teaching basic skills to parents of children ranging in age from infants to 5 years old in... Read More
Oklahoma plaintiffs cite DHS ‘disarray’ December 05, 2008 TULSA — Nine Oklahoma foster children were bounced around among 176 primary caseworkers because of "severe disarray” within DHS, attorneys said in documents filed Thursday in Tulsa federal court. The state Department of Human Services also had 125 secondary workers and 190 supervisors overseeing... Read More
Oklahoma foster system in "severe disarray," lawsuit claims December 04, 2008 TULSA — Nine Oklahoma foster children were bounced around among 176 primary caseworkers because of “severe disarray” within DHS, attorneys said in documents filed Thursday in Tulsa federal court. The state Department of Human Services also had 125 secondary workers and 190 supervisors overseeing care of those... Read More
In brief: Crime December 04, 2008 LAWTON FBI ARRESTS 3 IN BANK HOLDUP Authorities arrested a Lawton bank branch manager and two Stillwater men in connection with a robbery at the bank, the FBI said. A man wearing a mask went into City National Bank, 4510 SE Lee Blvd., on Tuesday and gave a note demanding money to the manager, Todd Vincent Rudisill,... Read More
Ex-DHS employee facing new charge in Tulsa December 03, 2008 TULSA -- Prosecutors have accused a former Department of Human Services employee of taking money from an elderly nursing home resident. Debra Maxine Roberts was charged Monday with financially exploiting vulnerable adults for allegedly taking nearly $4,500 in funds belonging to James True, 84. Roberts, then... Read More
Turnover rate of Oklahoma DHS case workers slows December 02, 2008 OKLAHOMA CITY -- The turnover rate of child welfare workers at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services is slowing, but officials with the agency say the rate is still too high. Last year's turnover rate was about 44 percent, but DHS officials say the trend is moving in the right direction thanks to a reduction... Read More
Foster child’s family united in mourning December 01, 2008 The family of John Gifford, 5, was united in love for him at a joint funeral service for his mother’s and father’s families. "We just wanted a respectful service for our son and to put aside all the other things,” said John’s father, Melvern Gifford, 40. "We all love him very much,... Read More
Oklahoma manager adopts a caring career November 30, 2008 TULSA — Linda Foster’s career choice — placing children in adoptive homes — is a daily reminder of her grandfather, whose love and devotion sustain her during the dark hours of a job that can be both difficult and joyful. Foster is one of two adoption program managers in Oklahoma who oversee... Read More
Boy’s kin to mourn in private November 29, 2008 11AThe biological family was barred from the funeral of a foster child accidentally hit by a car. However, relatives of John Gifford, 5, said the state Department of Human Services will let them hold a private service at the funeral home. While relatives are grateful for the chance to say goodbye, they have harsh... Read More
Dead foster child’s Oklahoma family will hold separate service November 29, 2008 The biological family of a 5-year-old boy who was hit by a car and killed while in state Department of Human Services custody will not be allowed to attend his funeral and burial, but the state is granting them a private memorial service. John Brian Gifford, who was in the care of a foster family, died Tuesday when... Read More
Oklahoma family mourns for little boy November 27, 2008 Dewanna Cleary was looking forward to getting her Wednesday newspaper from outside her apartment and looking at the recipes, but she never made it past a smiling face, half-hidden in the shadow of an oversized yellow hat. That was her grandson in the photo on the front page of The Oklahoman, and the story said the... Read More
Foster-care death in Wilson to get scrutiny November 26, 2008 WILSON — A 5-year-old boy in foster care died Tuesday when a 13-year-old girl put into gear a sport utility vehicle she was warming up, running into the boy on a private driveway in Carter County, officials said. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol identified the victim as John Gifford of Wilson, and said the... Read More
Final free flu vaccinations set for December November 26, 2008 The final free influenza vaccinations offered this season by the Oklahoma City-County Health Department are scheduled for the first two weeks of December. Childhood immunizations also will be available at some sites. Immunizations are free, but donations will be accepted. The main health department facility, 921 NE... Read More
Grandmother of boy killed in Wilson wreck said he was in foster care November 25, 2008 WILSON, Okla. - A 5-year-old boy has been killed when he was hit by a car after a 13-year-old started it to warm it up. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says 5-year-old John Gifford of Wilson died in the accident in Carter County just before 11 Tuesday morning. Read More
Number of Oklahoma children in foster care drops November 19, 2008 OKLAHOMA CITY --The average daily number of Oklahoma children in out-of-home foster care has dropped below 7,000 for the first time in more than three years. September's number was reported at 6,902, Department of Human Services figures released Tuesday show. It marked the sixth-straight monthly decline. The... Read More
Oklahoma volunteers make 100-plus blankets for kids November 19, 2008 Volunteers with Project Linus made more than 100 blankets for children during their recent Make-A-Blanket Day. The blankets will go to local charities, hospitals and state Department of Human Services offices. The group gathered Nov. 8 at The Stitching Post to make blankets. The nonprofit Project Linus donates new,... Read More
Norman nursing home cited in report November 19, 2008 NORMAN — The state Health Department has cited a Norman nursing home for failing to fully investigate abuse allegations and endangering patients’ health by not providing condoms to a sexually active, HIV-positive nursing home resident. The two infractions were among 16 serious deficiencies cited in a... Read More
Oklahoma state lawmaker wants schoolkids to be weighed November 19, 2008 Concerned by estimates that half of Oklahomans are overweight, a state legislator said Tuesday he will file legislation requiring students to be checked annually to identify possible weight problems. All students 16 years and younger would be required to have a screening to check their body mass indexes, said state... Read More
Allegations of Whispering Pines Nursing Center in Norman November 19, 2008 factbox_subhead_lead Inspectors with the state Health Department targeted allegations that an aide at Whispering Pines Nursing Center forced a patient into a shower with his clothing on, and multiple claims of nursing home residents assaulting one another. They found that abuse complaints were not properly... Read More
Volunteers make blankets for kids in OKC November 18, 2008 Volunteers with Project Linus made more than 100 blankets for children during their recent Make-A-Blanket Day. The blankets will go to local charities, hospitals and state Department of Human Services offices. The group gathered Nov. 8 at The Stitching Post and spent the day making blankets to give away. The... Read More
Norman bank collects treats for troops November 15, 2008 Bank collects treats for troops IBC Bank’s branch at 2403 W Main St. is involved through Nov. 30 in a drive to collect care package items for U.S. troops abroad. A shopping list of suggested items, such as gum, travel-size toiletries and playing cards, is available at participating branches. Letters of support... Read More
Secret Santas need some help granting wishes November 12, 2008 NORMAN — Having been blessed with wonderful parents (who are still married to each other), I don’t know what it’s like to be abused, neglected or abandoned. I can’t imagine how it must feel to be taken from my home, no matter how bad it is, and be placed in the care of someone I’ve... Read More
Elk City woman and boyfriend were on probation November 11, 2008 An Elk City woman and her boyfriend were on probation for enabling child neglect when her 3-year-old son was killed Nov. 4. The boyfriend, Rocky Allen Moore, 22, of Elk City, was charged Thursday with first-degree murder in the beating death of Ryan Weeks. The child’s mother, Trinity Anderson, 22, has not been... Read More
Protests failed to prevent Elk City death November 08, 2008 ELK CITY — A 3-year-old boy was beaten to death at his home here, even though his foster mother said she begged a judge and the state Department of Human Services three months ago not to return him to his mother. "I begged and pleaded and boohooed,” said foster mother Danna Paulino. Paulino said she... Read More
Norman caregiver faces inquiry November 04, 2008 A Norman home day care operator is under investigation after a state worker discovered a 5-year-old boy was left alone at the day care center for two hours Thursday. Melody Johnson, the day care provider, agreed to voluntarily cease caring for children the day the child was found, said Mary Leaver, communications... Read More
200 Oklahoma day cares may face closure November 01, 2008 An estimated 200 unlicensed Oklahoma child care sites can be shut down by emergency order beginning today as a new law goes into effect. Unlicensed operators also could be fined $100 to $500 each day they refuse to close. "I think part of the attractiveness of unlicensed care is that in some people’s eyes... Read More
DHS links media to drop in Oklahoma abuse cases October 30, 2008 Complaints of possible child abuse and neglect are on the rise in Oklahoma, but confirmed cases of abuse and neglect have declined. The public reported a record 114,492 Oklahoma children as alleged victims of abuse or neglect in the fiscal year that ended June 30, state Department of Human Services officials wrote... Read More
Remarks result in Oklahoma DHS worker’s dismissal October 26, 2008 ©Copyright 2008, The Oklahoman A longtime Department of Human Services worker was fired from the state-run children’s shelter in Tulsa this year after allegedly saying in January she "would knock the children in their necks and put them in the closet,” records show. Rochelle O. Knight, 50,... Read More
Putting a price on autism in Oklahoma October 27, 2008 Oklahoma lacks enough therapists and behavioral specialists to take care of the state’s autistic children, according to the preliminary findings of a pilot program. Thirty families selected to take part in the autism two-year pilot project each could spend up to $12,360 a year on services for their autistic... Read More
Elgin death won’t result in charges October 22, 2008 ELGIN — A Comanche County prosecutor says he won’t file charges in connection with the May 1 death of a 3-month-old girl at a home day care. Comanche County District Attorney Robert Schulte said he’s scheduled to meet this morning with the parents of Hannah Hoots to explain why he’s not... Read More
Purcell day care, DHS settle abuse allegations October 16, 2008 Two children who complained of being sexually molested at Purcell’s now-defunct Dragon’s Den Childcare and Preschool will receive a combined $187,500 as a result of lawsuit settlements. One child will be paid $111,250; the other will receive $76,250, The Oklahoman has learned. The names of the... Read More
Oklahoma is No. 2 for kids in state care October 16, 2008 Oklahoma has the second-highest per capita rate nationally for removing children from their homes and placing them in state care, initial audit information shows. Independent auditors of the Family Services Division of the state Department of Human Services told state lawmakers Tuesday the reason for the high rate,... Read More
DHS audit to be ready for legislative session October 15, 2008 The findings of a performance audit of the state Department of Human Services should be available before the next legislative session in February, officials with the auditing firm said Tuesday. Auditors from Hornby Zeller Associates told members of a House of Representatives bipartisan group that the firm’s... Read More
Arkansas to allow foster parenting for unmarried, same-sex couples October 10, 2008 LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas plans to reverse course and allow unmarried or same-sex couples to take on foster children on a case-by-case basis, even as voters prepare to decide the issue in November, the state Department of Human Services said Thursday. The agency said it would end its plan to formalize the... Read More
DHS worker arrested September 26, 2008 TULSA -- Tulsa County prosecutors have alleged that a state Department of Human Services employee stole thousands of dollars from a vulnerable adult. Debra Maxine Roberts, 50, a DHS Adult Protective Services specialist, is accused of abusing, exploiting or neglecting Claude Spencer, a 74-year-old mentally... Read More
Man wants answers for injuries to his wife
DHS investigators reportedly decided against investigating claim of beating. September 26, 2008 NORMAN — The advocacy group A Perfect Cause is offering a $2,500 reward for information on how a woman living in a Norman nursing home suffered large, numerous bruises July 11. The group is working on behalf of Jack Crow, a Muskogee resident whose wife, Carol, was staying at Whispering Pines Living Center, 501 E... Read More
DHS budget woes threaten services for Oklahoma's needy September 24, 2008 State Department of Human Services officials predicted Tuesday they'll need $2 billion next year to keep providing the same level of care to the needy, elderly and children. They also worried there's no way they'll get that much. "This is not a pleasant picture,” Director Howard Hendrick said. The welfare agency... Read More
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OKDHS panel gives recommendations on childs death thumbnail

OKDHS panel gives recommendations on childs death

Apr 4An Oklahoma committee that studied Oklahoma child abuse...

Federal judge rules Oklahoma must pay $6 million to New York child advocacy group thumbnail

Federal judge rules Oklahoma must pay $6 million to New York child advocacy group

Apr 4Judge orders payment to advocacy group for its work on a...

DHS reaches first major goal to eliminate shelter use for babies thumbnail

DHS reaches first major goal to eliminate shelter use for babies

Jan 8The Oklahoma Department of Human Services has met the...

DHS Investigative Team

Nolan Clay

Sr. Reporter

Nolan Clay was born in Oklahoma and has worked as a reporter for The Oklahoman since 1985. He covered the Oklahoma City bombing trials and witnessed bomber Tim McVeigh's execution. His investigative reports have brought down public officials, exposed shysters and resulted in reforms in such areas as day care oversight and workers' compensation court. He is a proud father and longtime fan of University of Oklahoma football. His wedding in 2001 was on the 50-yard line of OU's football field.

Randy Ellis

Investigative Reporter

For the past 30 years, staff writer Randy Ellis has exposed public corruption and government mismanagement in news articles. Ellis has investigated problems in Oklahoma's higher education institutions and wrote stories that ultimately led to two college presidents being sentenced to prison and a former chancellor being forced to resign. He has written about abuses of Oklahoma's workers' compensation system, corruption in the state's municipal bond industry, bid-rigging by county officials, self-dealing by state housing officials, misconduct involving state legislators and a variety of other topics. Ellis has won more than 80 state, regional and national awards for journalistic excellence. Prior to joining The Oklahoman in 1982, Ellis worked at Arkansas newspapers. He is a 1977 graduate of Kansas State University.



Oklahoma DHS: Child Welfare timeline 2005 — 2011


Timeline compiled by Nick Tankersley, web editor