Father Of Slain Toddler Sues DHS

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The father of a slain Meeker toddler is suing the Department of Human Services over his daughter's death. <br/><br/>Attorneys for Lance Briggs filed the lawsuit Thursday in Oklahoma

Saturday, May 20th 2006, 12:39 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The father of a slain Meeker toddler is suing the Department of Human Services over his daughter's death.

Attorneys for Lance Briggs filed the lawsuit Thursday in Oklahoma County District Court, alleging there was a system-wide failure to investigate who was abusing 2-year-old Kelsey Smith-Briggs.

Also sued were DHS Director Howard Hendrick as well as state and private social workers involved in overseeing Kelsey's case.

Hendrick is accused in the lawsuit of failing to provide enough money to supervise children under DHS control.

Kelsey died October 11th. Her stepfather -- 26-year-old Michael Lee Porter -- is accused in a first-degree murder charge of striking Kelsey at their home near Meeker.
Her mother -- 26-year-old Raye Dawn Smith -- is accused of child neglect and enabling child abuse.