A prosecutor in Jefferson County, Washington, is expressing concern over a recent state law, believing it played a role in the tragic death of a baby in Port Townsend. The prosecutor, James Kennedy, is calling for changes to the law, asserting that it needs modification to better protect children.
The incident involves the discovery of a less than one-month-old baby found dead near Kah Tai Lagoon in Port Townsend. While the autopsy results are pending, Kennedy, who works nearby, believes the tragedy could have been prevented.
The baby, born with fentanyl in the system, was placed in temporary custody of the father, Jordan Sorenson, by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). However, court documents reveal that Sorenson, who initially passed drug tests, later failed to comply with testing and disappeared with the infant.
Kennedy attributes the tragedy to a new law, the “Keeping Families Together Act,” implemented in July. He argues that the law’s provisions, stating that issues like inadequate housing or substance abuse alone do not constitute imminent physical harm to a child, contributed to the unfortunate outcome.
Sorenson, now facing charges of kidnapping, disposing of a body, and concealing a body, led the authorities to the location where he claimed to have placed the baby’s body. He asserted falling asleep with the baby on his lap and discovering the baby dead upon waking, denying drug use until after the baby’s death.
State Representative Travis Couture has introduced a bill aiming to revise aspects of the law. The proposed changes include the immediate removal of children from caretakers using illegal substances, additional training for caseworkers dealing with fentanyl-related cases, and providing fentanyl test strips to confirm the presence of the drug in homes.
A report from the Washington State Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds highlights 85 deaths of children under state supervision in 2022, with 22 attributed to accidental drug ingestion or overdose. Of these drug-related deaths, 67% were linked to fentanyl.
DCYF responded to concerns about the “Keeping Families Together Act,” noting a 23% reduction in children entering care since its implementation in July 2023. The agency emphasized the challenges faced by caseworkers, including the scale of their workload and the surge in fentanyl-related incidents. DCYF has been working with legislators on House Bill 2447 to refine guidelines for the courts when fentanyl is involved.