By Associated Press - Thursday, August 8, 2019

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island’s child welfare agency has hired 23 additional staff members weeks after a report came out blaming the agency’s ineptitude and inaction for the death of a 9-year-old girl in foster care.

The Providence Journal reports that the Department of Children, Youth, and Families made the announcement Wednesday.

Zha-Nae, who had cerebral palsy, was one of eight special needs children Michele Rothgeb was caring for alone in what authorities have said was a squalid Warwick home. Zha-Nae was found dead in a bathtub in January.

Rothgeb has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.

The agency says the new hires are line with the recommendations in the report from the state’s Child Advocate and will ensure staff members have time to carefully transition children into stable homes.

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Information from: The Providence Journal, http://www.providencejournal.com

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