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OPEA Saddened Over Worker Death

 

The Oklahoma Public Employees Association released the following press statement about the passing of Donald Wheeler, former OPEA Board member, and child welfare worker in Lincoln County.

 

“OPEA is shocked and saddened by the loss of Donald Wheeler,” said OPEA Policy and Communications Director Trish Frazier. “He was a dedicated public servant of thirty years and a member of the OPEA family, formerly serving on the OPEA Board of Directors. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and coworkers in this time of tragedy.

 

“Donald was tried in the court of public opinion and the media circus that surrounded a case,” said Frazier. “According to reports, he fought against the placement that led to the child’s death. Attacks from media and policy makers do nothing to help children and affect workers’ lives.

 

“Child welfare workers deal with unspeakable issues, day in and day out,” continued Frazier. “Donald’s death brings to light the incredible pressure and challenges workers must endure to protect Oklahoma’s children.

 

“OPEA will continue to support our state’s dedicated child welfare workers, who stand between Oklahoma’s most vulnerable children and those who would do them harm,” concluded Frazier.

Posted on Thu, July 14, 2011 by Trish Frazier

5 comments (Add your own)

1. Mitch wrote:
As a former DHS employee, I always knew this was going to happen. These Social Workers are under constant pressure working at all hours of the night and on call 24/7. They work their butt off to do the right thing for the child and a judge comes along and says the child is better off with the parents…the abuser…what the hell are these judges smoking?
After the heartache of losing the Kelsey Briggs case and watching her be sent back to the parents who would eventually kill her, it had to be mentally disturbing to hear about her death…to top it off he is blamed for what the judge did!
Then the Serenity Deal case…he works twice as hard as ever before because of Kelsey Briggs and again the child placed back in the home with the abuser where she is ultimately killed. It’s time to put blame where it is due…ON THE JUDGES!!!

Donald Wheeler did everything he could to keep these girls alive and when they were murdered he took the blame from the media…more so he also blamed himself but, there was nothing else he could do a judge had the final word.
Not only do these judges have blood their hands from the death of these children, they have blood on their hands from the people that are trying to protect them…this whole thing makes sick to my stomach!
God Bless you
Donald Wheeler I know there is a special place in Heaven for you.

Thu, July 14, 2011 @ 6:36 PM

2. Thomas McDonald wrote:
I had the pleasure of serving on the Board of Directors with Donald. He was a caring individual who always put what was best for the child before anything else. My prayers and condolences go out to his family and his DHS Family.

Thu, July 14, 2011 @ 8:16 PM

3. Dana wrote:
I worked with Donald as well, and am deeply saddened over his passing. For me, it's mad even worse that his death is surrounded by these allegations that he put a child in harmsway. Anyone at all that worked with him or knew him knows how false these allegations are.

He was truely a compassionate and caring individual that reached out to others. He dedicated his entire life to public service and protecting children. My thoughts, prayers and condolences to his wife, three girls and grandkids, as well as his co-workers and colleauges.

God bless you Donald and your family during this time.

Thu, July 21, 2011 @ 12:37 PM

4. Questions wrote:
I think laws and rulings needs to be changed with the Judges giving the kids back to the parents and waiting for something like this to happen to (blame) our State workers instead of our Judges!. Theblame should not be on the workers who are working tireless hours trying to see the children are safe and work for years on these case's.

Tue, July 26, 2011 @ 10:15 AM

5. concerned wrote:
When placing the children back into the home and something happens to them, the Judge should be removed from his job for Murder, knowing the children was removed from the parents in the 1st place and placed in DHS custody. There needs to be a mandatory law that DHS will not be blamed for a death due to the Judge's ruling.

Wed, July 27, 2011 @ 11:20 AM

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