Maryland Teen Found Dead in Hotel Sparks Outcry and Investigation

A 16-year-old girl in the custody of the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) was discovered dead in a hotel in Baltimore on September 22, 2023. The victim, identified as Kanaiyah Ward, was found at a location on the 800 block of North Wolfe Street. Police have indicated that her cause of death remains undetermined, and the case is currently classified as questionable, given the absence of signs indicating foul play or trauma.

The DHS has committed to investigating Ward’s death thoroughly. The agency expressed a strong stance on accountability, stating that it would hold its contractors responsible should they fail to meet established care standards. “The well-being of Maryland’s children is our top priority,” DHS remarked in an official statement. “We will not rest until every child in our state is safe, thriving in a permanent home, and surrounded by a loving family.”

Political Reactions to the Incident

The news of Ward’s death has elicited significant reactions across the political spectrum in Maryland. Jason Buckel, the Maryland House Minority Leader, described the incident as “as tragic as it is outrageous.” He emphasized that had the incident occurred prior to a recent audit of the DHS, it might have seemed like an isolated event. Buckel stated, “This appears to be another horrific example of the failure of this department to keep children safe, this time with fatal consequences.”

Ward’s death follows a recent audit that revealed critical failures within the Maryland Social Services Administration and DHS, specifically regarding the protection of children in their care from sex offenders and the provision of essential medical needs. Rafael López, Maryland’s Secretary of Human Services, acknowledged the seriousness of the audit findings, asserting that the department has taken urgent measures to address these issues. “Our leadership team has moved with urgency and challenged the status quo not only with the Social Services Administration but across the entire department,” López stated.

Calls for Accountability and Reform

Democratic Senator Clarence Lam, who previously chaired the audit committee, expressed his heartbreak over the incident. He remarked, “It’s still early to know the details of what happened here. I think this is a really tragic case. Any time a young individual dies under the state’s care, it is our responsibility to get to the bottom of what happened.”

Lam also referenced the audit, indicating that it revealed many repeat findings from previous years, some dating back to 2017. In light of these developments, Governor Wes Moore addressed the situation, noting that the issues plaguing the DHS did not originate with his administration. “While these problems might have happened before our administration came on board, we are committed to making sure that they’re being addressed in our time,” Moore stated.

The audit conducted by the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee highlighted alarming practices within the DHS, including the placement of children in hotels. In a particularly troubling case, a contracted worker had a prior murder conviction while working at one of the hotels where children were housed. Lam commented on the challenges of monitoring children in such environments, saying, “In an ideal world, I would hope that we can move away from housing children in hotels and motels moving forward.”

As the investigation into Kanaiyah Ward’s death continues, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of minors under state care. The Maryland Department of Human Services is poised to face scrutiny as it navigates the implications of this tragic incident and the urgent need for systemic reform.