Story Responding Too:
House Republicans demand answers from Gov. Moore as foster care workgroup misses deadline
After a workgroup missed a reporting deadline to publish a report filled with recommendations to improve how the state takes care of children within the foster care system, House Republicans sent a letter to Governor Wes Moore demanding answers. The Workgroup on Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric Hospital Overstays, which was created through legislation passed during the 2025 General Assembly Session, was supposed to produce a report by October 1, delivered to Gov. Wes Moore and lawmakers filled with recommendations. However, the group didn’t meet for the first time until Oct.
Response:
This is just another example of the many problems & failed leadership going in the Moore Administration, with high turnover from his Administration in Leadership Roles should anyone be surprised by this?….
A Governor with a record of 3 years of increasing Taxes and Fees on Maryland’s Small Businesses and working families by $2 Billion Dollars, an Administration who by it’s 3rd Legislative Session had squandered $5 Billion dollars it inherited in 2023 to a $ 3 Billion dollar budget deficit in 2025, and an Administration its policies on energy have in 3 years has increased rates by a 1000 percent around the State on businesses and citizens. This story today is just another example of why Maryland desperately needs change in 2026.
“Kaniyah Ward, 16, died of an apparent drug overdose in a Baltimore hotel room on September 22 while in DHS custody, according to Delegate Griffith. Her death came just one week after a state audit raised serious concerns about DHS policies and their ability to keep children safe.
The audit found DHS lacked “comprehensive procedures” to ensure people with criminal backgrounds didn’t have access to children in the state’s care. As of August, seven registered sex offenders were living at the same addresses as approved guardianship homes housing 10 children.
The audit also found 280 foster care children placed in hotels under unlicensed supervision at significantly higher costs.”
The death of a 16 year old girl in Baltimore City, in foster care under the state agency of DHS Department of Human Services, in a hotel room by overdose / suicide is absolutely horrific. We need answers, accountability, and a plan going forward so this kind of horrific tragedy does not ever happen again anywhere in the State of Maryland.
We should fully support Maryland State Delegate Mike Griffith’s bill Never Again Act of 2026 – Kaniyah’s Law. It will prohibit placing foster children in hotels for more than a week without review and authorization from the Secretary of the Department of Human Services. Delegate Griffith himself was a foster child himself as a teenager, so this tears at his heart personally what happened to Kanailyah.
In addition a hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday October 29th in the Maryland Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee on the audit and the incident of what happened to Kanailyah .
The joint Committee Chairs of Delegates & Senators are State Senator Shelly Hettleman of Baltimore County & State Delegate Jared Soloman of Montgomery County:
The Republicans on the Senate side are: Justin Ready of Carroll County, Bryan Simonaire of Anne Arundle County, & Paul Corderman of Washington County.
The Republican on the House side of the Committee is: Steven Arentz of Queen Anne’s County.
In closing please send emails to this committee and its members, calling for answers, accountability and a plan going forward so this kind of horrific tragedy does not ever happen again anywhere in the State of Maryland. In addition, taking our voices to Annapolis this 2026 session to support th Never Again Act of 2026 – Kaniyah’s Law.
This is inexcusable and horrifying, we all should do the right thing on this one and fight for the memory and the life of Kaniyah Ward!
Sincerely,
Maryland Maverick Outreach Team