Evergreen, Alabama – State Department of Human Resources officials are investigating a case in which a child suffered permanent brain damage while in foster care.
The Connecuh County child welfare department began the investigation following reports that a 2-year-old boy in was abused. Joyce and Lonnel Sims are charged with attempted murder and aggravated child abuse.
A state investigation shows that the Conecuh County child welfare agency investigated abuse allegations by telephone, may not have screened foster parents, and did not enforce a ban on corporal punishment.