The biological parents of a 7-year old Colorado boy who died of starvation and dehydration have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against 2 social workers with Denver Human Services who were involved in his case.  The defendants attempted to have the case dismissed, but a judge recently denied the request and ruled that the suit will proceed.

The boy was living under the care of 2 foster parents when he died.  Officials took him to the hospital after finding him locked in a closet and he passed away soon after.  The foster parents were found to have “restricted access to fluids and caloric intake” and were convicted of homicide.

8 months after the boy was placed in foster care, workers at his elementary school reported to the  case workers that he was being abused.  The social workers dismissed the allegations of abuse, stating that the accusations were “unfounded.”  At least 4 other reports of abuse were sent to the case workers and were not investigated, according to the lawsuit.