Watch CBS News

ACS Head Gets Support From Mayor Bloomberg

NEW YORK (CBS 2) -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg came out in defense of the head of the Administration for Children's Services after two social workers with the agency were charged with criminally negligent homicide.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Mayor Bloomberg (Marc A. Hermann-Pool/Getty Images)

"I don't know if the charges are true but I have 100 percent confidence in John Mattingly.  This city is so lucky to have him. I don't know what you'd do if you lose him. Most jobs you can find somebody else. This guy is world-renowned and has 100 percent of my confidence," he said.

Former workers Chereece Bell and Damon Adams were charged Wednesday. It was the first such prosecution of ACS case workers in New York City.

Adams was accused of never visiting 4-year-old Marchella Brett-Pierce who was beaten and weighed just 18 pounds when she died in September, and with falsifying records after her death.

The little girl's mother, Carlotta Brett-Pierce, was charged in November with second-degree murder. Her grandmother, Loretta Brett, was charged with second-degree manslaughter.

Bell, who supervised Adams, faced charges for failing to monitor his work. Her lawyer shouldn't be held responsible.

"Where is the management? How about the people that were in charge?" said attorney Joshua Horowitz.

Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes vowed to investigating the entire agency.

"There's an Italian word. It's called basta. It means enough," said Hynes.

Do you agree with the mayor? Let us know below…

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.