In March of last year, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon announced changes at the top of the Department of Children and Family Services after the arrest of Susan Orendorf. However, it was revealed later that CPS was already under audit before Orendorf’s alleged abuse case surfaced.
After Orendorf’s arrest, CNY Central questioned the county about conducting an external review of the department, similar to what Oswego County did after the tragic death of 17-year-old Jordan Brooks. The department saw new leadership taking charge, and additional measures were introduced where an extra supervisor now signs off on referrals.
Subsequently, it was disclosed that an audit was initiated by the county before September 2022, and an ongoing review was delving deeper into CPS practices post Orendorf’s case. This intensified scrutiny led to changes in leadership and case evaluation processes. The Bonadio Group is presently conducting the audit on CPS, with the investigation costs yet to be disclosed.
Orendorf recently pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child in Camillus Town Court for the abuse of her 11-year-old adopted son. Despite the guilty plea, she is not facing jail time and is awaiting sentencing in May for a two-year probation term as expected by prosecutors.
Following the tragic deaths of 11-year-old Ashton DeGonzaque and 5-year-old Nefertiti Harris, CNY Central inquired about the possibility of an external review of Onondaga County’s DCFS, which prompted the revelation of the ongoing audit by the Bonadio Group assessing CPS.
In a related development, two CPS employees in Onondaga County were placed on unpaid leave after County Executive McMahon criticized their handling of DeGonzaque’s case, deeming it as “horrific.” DeGonzaque was found unconscious and later died in a local hospital, with suspicions of fentanyl and cocaine involvement, though police have not confirmed the cause of death.