‘A crash and burn disaster’: Michigan Senator pushes for CPS reform after 5-year-old’s death

DETROIT – It’s a desperate push to loosen confidentiality rules around Child Protective Services records in Michigan, arguing the change is necessary to prevent deaths like that of 5-year-old Ethan Belcher of Detroit.
—> ‘Horrible investigation:’ Lawsuits accuse CPS of sending 5-year-old back into danger before his death
Ethan’s family, attorneys and now lawmakers say warning signs were ignored before he was tortured and killed.
“CPS is a crash and burn disaster in the state of Michigan,” said Republican Senator Jim Runestad. “Despite documented abuse, hospitalizations, severe bruising and the family warnings, CPS returned Ethan to his parents.”
Ethan died in January of 2023 after what is described as “severe abuse and torture.” Ethan’s cause of death was “multiple blunt and sharp force injuries with complications,” according to two lawsuits filed — one against the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the other against CPS workers Miranda Ostrowski and Tedra White.