DCF Arrest in Connecticut

July 30, 2005 permalink

In an indication of decreasing respect, another social worker was arrested this time in Connecticut. If tradition is followed, there will be no real penalty.

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DCF Supervisor Arrested, Suspended

The Hartford Courant, July 29, 2005, COLIN POITRAS, Courant Staff Writer

A Department of Children and Families social worker is accused of fabricating evidence and tampering with a witness in a child endangerment case in Hartford earlier this year.

Valerie M. Miles, a social work supervisor in DCF's Hartford office, turned herself in and was arrested about 2 p.m. Thursday. She was released on $10,000 bail pending an appearance in Superior Court scheduled for Aug. 11 in Hartford.

Hartford police were not releasing any further details and DCF officials were reluctant to comment on the matter.

It was unclear Thursday whether the charges related to one of Miles' child abuse and neglect investigations at work or to an incident in her personal life.

Miles, 48, lives at 53 Dogwoood Road, Plainville.

Hartford police said the charges were based on an incident involving the risk of injury to a child at 296 Hudson St. in Hartford on May 27. Miles was charged with two counts of fabricating physical evidence and one count of witness tampering.

Miles was placed on paid administrative leave on July 7, said DCF spokesman Gary Kleeblatt. State records show her current salary is about $103,000 a year. Miles has worked at DCF for 16 years.

"We're cooperating with police," Kleeblatt said. "This is under investigation and we will take appropriate disciplinary action as warranted up to and including termination."

"Allegations of this nature are extremely troubling and we are going to take them very seriously," Kleeblatt said.

Miles could not be reached for comment Thursday. She is represented by West Hartford attorney Leon M. Rosenblatt. He also was reluctant to discuss the details of the case.

"It is in fact true that she surrendered to a warrant today," Rosenblatt said. "Beyond that, stay tuned."

Source: Hartford Courant