Onondaga County CPS workers blamed for mishandling Syracuse boy’s case have resigned

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — The two child protective services workers (CPS) blamed for mishandling the case of 11-year-old Ashton DeGonzaque resigned from their jobs on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Onondaga County confirms to NewsChannel 9.

DeGonzaque died March 7 after being found not breathing at his father’s rented home on East Division Street, which many believe became a hub for drug activity.

Tuesday, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said the process to fire the workers was nearing a conclusion. They were suspended without pay on March 11.

McMahon said the caseworker assigned to the boy “completely botched” the process designed to protect him. The caseworker’s immediate supervisor is also being blamed.

“The county has concluded an internal investigation regarding the performance of the caseworker and case supervisor in the Ashton DeGonzaque case and determined that termination of employment for both was warranted,” wrote a spokesperson for Onondaga County. “Termination proceedings in accordance with their union contract were initiated, however, both employees, rather than face that action, chose to resign effective today, March 27th, 2024.”

DeGonzaque’s family members, including his great aunt and great uncle, told NewsChannel 9 they contacted CPS at both the county and state level multiple times and feel not enough action was taken.

Among the concerns reported were the 11-year-old boy witnessing a dead body in the home in late December and the deplorable conditions of the home that resulted in being declared unfit for human occupancy by the Syracuse Codes Enforcement.