Social workers dismissed 2 years of abuse claims for slain Corona boy

Social workers dismissed 2 years of abuse claims for slain Corona boy

by Richard K. De Atley, Ryan Hagen

Riverside County social workers investigated reports that young Noah McIntosh of Corona had his hands zip-tied behind his back and was dunked in cold water but found that claims of such abuse were unsubstantiated.

Department of Public Social Services workers checked on the boy at least three times in the two years before the Corona 8-year-old went missing and was presumed dead in March 2019.

There was at least one contact with a police officer during that time.

Noah’s father, Bryce McIntosh, has been charged with the boy’s torture-murder and also child cruelty. Evidence gathered in the case, showed McIntosh bought acid and other caustic chemicals as well as a large plastic trash barrel around the time Noah went missing.

McIntosh, 33, of Corona has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

DPSS released a statement Wednesday, Aug. 7, saying they are dedicated to protecting their most vulnerable and have made changes including appointing a new director.

The changes that have been made create “a shift in culture toward greater accountability and safer practices,” the statement says.

Documents detailing the visits were obtained Wednesday after Southern California News Group and other media sued to obtain the records under the state law that requires the automatic public disclosure of social services records of a juvenile who is believed to have died as a result of abuse or neglect.

The earliest recorded visit in Riverside County was in August 2017, when Noah was reported to have had to sit in a bathtub all day and was forced to eat a laxative and sit in soiled pants.

The investigation also included a statement alleged to have been made by the father, that he would flush his child’s head down the toilet.

While the last complaint in February 2018 was about Noah and his sister’s sleeping arrangements, the next visit came from authorities in March 2019, after his mother reported him missing.

Records also show Orange County authorities investigated allegations of physical abuse as early as March 2012.

All credit goes to Richard K. De Atley, Ryan Hagen
Originally published on https://www.dailynews.com