A new investigation into the death of 8-year-old Sarah Brasse five years ago is being launched by the state's Office of Inspector General, according to Texas Sen. Carlos Uresti, of San Antonio.
The girl died of acute appendicitis.
She had been living with her father and his fiancée and the family had been investigated previously by Child Protective Services.
"There's been something about this case that has troubled me," Uresti said. "This isn't Monday morning-quarterbacking. This is a matter of saying CPS could have done this better, could have done that better. And this isn't CPS-bashing."
Uresti said new information has now surfaced and that an investigator with OIG has agreed to open a new case.
Uresti would not specify exactly what new information had surfaced, but suggested there were conflicting reports.
"What they put in the report and what's in the file are two different things," Uresti said. "We have a legal obligation and we have a moral obligation to protect these children, particularly when we've been involved in their lives."
He said this is not just about Sarah Brasse.
"How do we make sure that this doesn't happen to any other child in San Antonio or Texas?" Uresti said.
Sarah's mother, Joanne Guerrero, said her daughter's death five years ago has been on her mind frequently and she applauded the senator's actions.
"Hearing some of the information that I didn't even know about, it just lit that fire under me again and I said I'm not OK with this," Guerrero said. "It's given me a lot more hope than I may have had in the last several years."
Carrie Wilcoxson, a former CPS caseworker who is now an advocate for change at the agency, is advising Guerrero and also met with the senator.
"(I'm) doing it for Joanne, doing it for the kids and hopefully ultimately some changes so that no other child suffers needlessly," Wilcoxson said. "This is really about helping bring to light information that hopefully eventually can improve the system."
They say this is not about CPS-bashing but is about getting answers. The father and his fiancée were both found guilty in Sarah's death but the cases were overturned.
Uresti said the new investigation into Sarah Brasse's death will not be quick.
He hopes, though, that it is detailed and meticulous and provides the answers needed.
A spokeswoman for Child Protective Services in San Antonio passed this statement along from the agency: "Because of a possible pending investigation, it would be inappropriate to publicly comment at this time. We will fully cooperate."
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