Dartavius Barnes is accusing the Decatur agency of negligence. His daughter died in February from starvation and neglect. The father said he attempted to get custody of his child and even considered kidnapping her. Barnes briefly had custody of Ta’Naja between March and June of 2018 but she was removed after the agency received a call alleging abuse.
Ta’Naja was found in the house of her mother and her mother’s boyfriend wrapped in a urine-soaked blanket in a room with no heating.
The lawsuit alleges that the agency failed to train employees adequately in detecting signs of abuse and neglect.
