By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri Governor Bob Holden is restructuring the state's Department of Social Services because of the death of a two-year-old foster child.
An investigation of the case found that the state's child welfare system failed; a new executive order creates an independent ombudsman to check out complaints and monitor children's services.
Holden is also splitting the responsibilities of the Division of Family Services into two separate offices.
The governor requested and accepted the resignation of the state's long-time associate director of child welfare, Robin Gierer, the second person in children's services to leave in recent weeks.