The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons and Disabilities held an oversight hearing today investigating the death of 14-year-old Fall River teenager David Almond,
On October 21, 2020, the autistic teen was found unresponsive at his father’s home in Fall River. David’s brother Michael was also found in the apartment suffering from neglect. Michael survived. David died soon after being discovered. John Almond and his girlfriend, Jaclyn Coleman have been charged in David’s death.
The case prompted an investigation by the Massachusetts Child Advocate into failings within the child welfare and local governmental systems. In her opening statement, Child Advocate Maira Mossaides said the Almond case was the result of a multi-system failure, led by mistakes by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in its investigation to return David and his brothers to John Almond after previous claims of abuse.
Mossaides went on to claim the Fall River Public Schools lapsed in its role of oversight and educating David and his brother.
The result of Mossaides’ investigation into Almond’s death is recommendations for tighter oversight by DCF and those within public education.
Mossaides said in the end, the failings of the state’s child welfare system took a youngster away too soon.
A representative from the Fall River Public Schools was scheduled to testify at the hearing but was unable to attend. Committee co-chair Representative Micahel Finn said the committee will be allowed to draft written questions to Superintendent Matthew Malone on the school district’s actions in this case.
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