It takes a village

Many people across the Valley are abuzz over the tragic March 18 death of 2-year-old Eliseo Gonzalez Jr. in La Joya.

Reports first suggested the toddler  was accidentally crushed by his bedridden, morbidly obese aunt in whose care he had been left.

However, as the story unfolded in the days after, we learned those initial reports may be wrong.

On Wednesday, the aunt, Mayra Lizbeth Rosales, 27, was charged with capital murder in Eliseo's death after investigators alleged she had struck the youngster at least two times, causing the head injuries that eventually killed him.

Also named in connection with Eliseo's death was his mother, Jamie Lee Rosales, 20, who was arraigned on charges of injury to the child for leaving him in the aunt's care despite an agreement she had made with Child Protective Services caseworkers that she would not leave her children alone with her sister.

Since Eliseo's death came to light last Friday, this has become one of the most closely followed and discussed news stories in the area.

Of course, as might be expected, much of the swirl of discussion involves who should be blamed.

Although rush to judgment is a game we all seem to love to play, the final responsibility ultimately rests in the hands of the state's justice system.

District Attorney Rene Guerra, whose office will handle the prosecution of the case, has already said that "whatever the county and the court system has to do in reference to the death of this child we will do."

Charging the mother and aunt certainly is the first step toward that end.

However, will the justice truly be served if the system's focus comes to bear solely on these two?

We think not.

We believe Child Protective Service, which is part of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, also warrants scrutiny in Eliseo's death.

CPS spokesman John Lennan told The Monitor last week that the Rosales family had been referred to his agency's investigators at least five times in the past five years.

In June 2004, the agency investigated allegations of physical abuse involving Rosales' children. In that instance, a boyfriend or common-law husband was accused of physically abusing the children. Caseworkers found evidence to back up the claim, but allowed Rosales to maintain custody because she kicked the man out of the house and sought a restraining order against him.
In April 2006, allegations of physical abuse were investigated, but caseworkers said they were unable to find sufficient evidence to act.

In April 2007, allegations of physical abuse were again investigated, but caseworkers determined there was no merit to the claims.

Also that month, Rosales signed a safety plan with her caseworker promising not to leave her children in her bedridden sister's care.

Not long after, in August, allegations of neglectful supervision were investigated, but caseworkers determined there was no merit to the claims.

Then earlier this year in January, allegations of neglectful supervision again came under investigation in a case that has still not been concluded.

We wonder how much smoke must be visible before CPS determines there is a fire?

If CPS had been more aggressive in its pursuit of the pattern of numerous allegations - and perhaps acted to remove the children from the home until a determination could be made  on the nature of Rosales' parenting skills - might Eliseo be alive today?