As Idahoans call for transparency and accountability after the death of a baby in Nampa, born to parents known to be abusive, leaders at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare defend the way case workers handled the case. After hearing from several people who claim to have raised concerns before the infant’s death at 12 days old on December 16, 2025, we asked IDHW a list of questions.
The IDHW spokesperson said, in part:
Idaho’s child welfare system includes a range of services designed to protect children and serve families—particularly to protect children from abuse and neglect. Even with trained professionals, clear rules, and partner agencies involved, the system relies heavily on the information available at the time decisions are made. When a child dies, the department takes that outcome seriously and looks closely at whether improvements can be made—whether in policy, practice, staffing, or coordination with partners. An unfortunate reality is that, for a variety of reasons, some children are not raised in safe homes…