Police: Former Family Services supervisor kept grandchildren in filthy home
While working as a supervisor with the Department of Family Services, Jody Holt kept her own grandchildren in a home carpeted with filth and failed to report her son and daughter-in-law for possible child endangerment, according to police.
The 56-year-old former supervisor at Child Haven and long-time Clark County employee now faces two counts of child abuse, neglect or endangerment after authorities found her northwest valley home “a significant threat to the safety of the children,” ages 2 and 5, police and court records indicate.
A Family and Youth Services manager visited Jody Holt’s home in the 5600 block of North Riley Street in March, after Child Protective Services received a report of “environmental neglect,” according to police.
Holt was charged in a criminal complaint last week, and on Tuesday, a judge issued a $40,000 warrant for her arrest, according to court records.
The northwest valley home was “saturated with dirty clothes, garbage, feces, auto parts, junk, glass, cleaning supplies and miscellaneous debris covering virtually every living space with the exception of the grandmother’s bedroom,” according to the police report.
“Jody stated the home was ‘bad,’ but explained that it just got that way over the past several weeks.”
Police said the two children lived in the home with their parents, Holt’s son, Joshua Holt Sr., 27, and Veronica Holt, 25, admitted drug addicts who quarreled often. Veronica and Joshua Holt also face child abuse charges.
“The living arrangements seriously endanger the physical health of the children,” according to a report from Child Protective Services.
As a supervisor for the Department of Family Services, Holt was required by law to report child abuse or neglect, but did not do so, according to the police report.
“Jody discussed her concerns with a co-worker, while at Child Haven, and that co-worker pointed out Jody’s son was likely using drugs,” the report stated. “Jody still failed to report.”
Under state law, mandatory reporters who suspect child abuse “in his or her professional or occupational capacity” must notify authorities.
“The Legislature adopted the mandatory reporting rules for a purpose – to further protect the safety of the children in the community,” said county spokesman Erik Pappa. “And as an agency, we are always concerned when a mandatory reporter fails to report abuse and neglect.”
When Joshua and Veronica Holt moved in with Jody Holt in March 2013, the house did not originally pass CPS inspection.
They spent a couple days cleaning the home to make it safer for the children. But by November 2014, “Veronica began to bring tools, car parts, electronics and other ‘stuff’ into the home,” Jody Holt told police.
On March 9, the same day Child Protective Services received a report about the environment her home, Holt kicked the children’s parents out. When she learned of the investigation, Holt moved the children to an uncle’s home, according to police.
“Jody denied that this decision or the decision to pick up her grandchildren had anything to do with the CPS report,” the police report stated. She said she felt the children’s parents were on drugs. “Jody acknowledged her home was not a safe environment for the children.”
Holt’s last day as an employee with the county was March 19, according to Pappa. Holt began to work for the county on Feb. 18, 1981, as a word processor. She was promoted several times and on Dec. 15, 2007, assumed her most recent position as a child development supervisor.
County officials cannot comment on the children’s case because of state and federal confidentiality laws, Pappa said.
Contact reporter David Ferrara at dferrara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039. Find him on Twitter: @randompoker
Contact reporter Yesenia Amaro at yamaro@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440. Find her on Twitter: @YeseniaAmaro
