TULSA, Okla. — FOX23 heard more from families claiming the Oklahoma Department of Human Services is lying about crimes against children in the state.
More than a dozen families, activists and attorneys are supporting state lawmakers pushing for an investigation into the department.
FOX23 heard from two of those parents who said DHS is doing more harm to families than good.
"Multiple Times,” said Darrell Dougherty when asked if DHS has lied to him.
"Oh absolutely, DHS knows there's crimes against children,” said Mandy Reed, Oklahomans for Children's Rights.
Two of the more than a dozen people who spoke before a state house committee on Monday said they're calling for major change at DHS.
They claim DHS has not only ignored abuse claims, but also lied about them to families and law enforcement.
"For 5 years, DHS had lied about what my kid had said,” Dougherty said.
Dougherty said he's sought justice for his child who was allegedly abused by their mother.
"I've been threatened by at least five different DHS workers,” said Dougherty. “The supervisor of this case called in a three-way call and they threatened me. If I didn't stop advocating for my kid, they'd turn me in for a felony."
He claims DHS heard the abuse claims from his child, and even heard a confession from the alleged abuser, but still did not notify any law enforcement.
"They said he didn't say these things, they say he wasn't asking for help and they called him a liar. My kid was asking for help and they called him a liar. That means they immediately failed my child,” said Dougherty. "DHS stole my child's right to be protected by police because police were not involved."
Dougherty shared with FOX23 years worth of court documents, emails and even letters from county judges and state representatives.
He said it's all evidence if the state opens an investigation.
"It shows a pattern of them imputing fraud and perjury in a court that nobody can refute because the courts and judges just take it as truth,” Dougherty said.
Reed is another parent who testified before the state House committee.
She is also an activist with Oklahomans for Children's Rights.
"I would say that DHS does more harm than good, honestly at this point. We have to have a major over haul of DHS,” Reed said.
She said she has personally seen abuse take place and said DHS lied about it or ignored it.
"They know that there's other crimes happening right then, in the moment while they're in the case and they do not contact law enforcement. I know this for a fact, I've witnessed it, I've experienced it. I've sat across the table from these workers that tell me they knew it was happening and they did nothing,” Reed said.
The House committee hopes to send the signed order to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation on Monday to have them open an investigation into DHS.
"Well, we're parents. It doesn't matter what a judge says. It doesn't matter what DHS says. It doesn't matter what a governor says. It doesn't matter what the supreme court says. If you bring an injustice to my child, I'm still coming to protect my child,” Dougherty said.
FOX23 has reached out to DHS for comment and also for an interview with their new director about these claims.
They sent the following updated statement on Tuesday:
“Child welfare cases are confidential by state and federal statutes, so we are unable to share any details with anyone who is not authorized by statute or permitted by an order of the court. At the same time, Oklahoma Human Services must ensure the public understands how child welfare cases are handled. Anyone who suspects abuse or neglect of a child in the state of Oklahoma is considered a mandated reporter. Any time a report of child abuse or neglect is received, Oklahoma law requires Child Welfare Services to assess the child’s safety as determined by statute, the agency’s guidelines, and other criteria. When there is suspected abuse or neglect, Child Welfare Services investigates and assesses the circumstances to ensure the safety of the child involved. A complete written report of the investigation or assessment, together with recommendations, is then submitted to the appropriate district attorney’s office. Only a judge can decide to remove children from their home . Law enforcement can place children in temporary, protective custody but only for 23 hours. After which, a court order is needed to keep the child in custody.
Every child welfare case is different and the specific details in those cases impact decisions made by the agency, courts, District Attorneys and others who participate in any case.”
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