The head of the city's Administration for Children's Services has resigned, the mayor's office announced Monday.
Gladys Carrion assumed office in January 2013. A search for her replacement is underway. Her resignation comes in the wake of several high-profile child abuse deaths.
In late October, Carrion was brought to tears as she talked at a City Council hearing about the case of Zymere Perkins, a 6-year-old boy who died a month earlier after allegedly being abused. She said at the time that "losing a child is unbearable" and said "it's my responsibility" to keep them safe.
Weeks prior to that hearing, Carrion told the I-Team in an exclusive interview that try as she might, she can't protect every child.
In the wake of Perkins' death, Carrion announced policy changes included new training for frontline staff and guidance for the Department of Education on recognizing educational neglect. Sources had told NBC 4 New York that several people had reported concerns about Perkins' environment to ACS workers. Five officials and employees were suspended or placed on modified duty after he died and, at the time, Carrion didn't rule out the possibility she could be fired.
Carrion's resignation comes about a week after the death of Jaden Jordan, a 3-year-old Brooklyn boy who was hospitalized on life support after suffering a brutal beating, allegedly at the hands of his mother's boyfriend.
After Jordan's death, the city's Department of Investigation said it sent a request to the state Office of Children and Family Services for access to ACS records regarding the boy, which it has done in other child abuse cases.
"DOI has been actively investigating whether some or all of these cases were lawfully handled by ACS, whether there continue to be systemic and preventable problems at ACS that place children in danger, and whether ACS has implemented necessary changes noted in DOI’s prior reviews," DOI Commissioner Mark Peters said.
A statement from Mayor de Blasio Monday referenced none of the controversy that characterized Carrion's last few months.
He lauded her accomplishments, saying she "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," de Blasio said. "That progress must continue as we work to meet one of the most difficult missions and mandates in city government."
New York City Scott Stringer said City Hall needs to put forth a "clear, transparent plan for reform."
"It’s clear our city is failing our most vulnerable children," Stringer said in a statement. "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."
