Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
Carrion (l.) announced her retirement in a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio (c.)
By Michael V. Cusenza
Embattled Administration for Children’s Services Commissioner Gladys Carrion on Monday abruptly retired, just a day before a damning ACS report into the death of child-abuse victim Zymere Perkins.
“Today I accepted the resignation of my colleague and friend Gladys Carrion,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Gladys has spent four decades serving the public with excellence and an unparalleled commitment to the children and families of New York. Gladys’ leadership and reforms have ushered in a heightened level of accountability and performance at the Administration for Children’s Services. That progress must continue as we work to meet one of the most difficult missions and mandates in city government. With a search process already underway, New Yorkers can rest assured that the Administration for Children’s Services will continue to be led by a passionate reformer who demands results.”
City Comptroller Scott Stringer, whose office has been scrutinizing ACS over the past six months, echoed de Blasio’s sentiment regarding Carrion – but the administration still must face facts.
“Gladys Carrion is a dedicated public servant who has spent her life caring about children. The passion with which she has tried to improve lives both inside and outside government is unquestionable. I wish her well in the future,” Stringer said. “It’s clear our City is failing our most vulnerable children. Whether its kids being put in dangerous foster care homes, cluster sites with serious violations, or commercial hotels where there are no services, the status quo is unacceptable. City Hall must breakdown agency silos and put forward a clear, transparent plan for reform. Commissioners come and go, but fundamental change must be here to stay.”
Carrion found herself on the hot seat after two brutal child-abuse cases ended in the deaths of two little boys – and pointed questions for ACS.
“This report uncovered a troubling series of lapses and missed opportunities in ACS’s failed effort to protect Zymere Perkins,” de Blasio said after the report was released. “Procedures were not followed, common sense was not exercised, and due diligence was lacking up and down the chain of command responsible for Zymere. I will not accept excuses for this failure and I will not accept the notion that every single one of these tragedies cannot be prevented. The buck stops with me. As a result of this investigation, we’ve ordered the firings of three employees directly involved in Zymere’s care. We’ve moved to suspend and demote another six employees who should have shown better judgment in carrying out one of the most important and difficult missions of City government. As we transition the agency to new leadership, we will continue to embrace bold reforms capable of meeting our mandate: the protection of every child who needs our care. I will accept nothing less.”
