Children's Protective Services in Michigan changes policy after infant death

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - Children's Protective Services in a western Michigan county is changing its oversight policy after the death of a baby who was left alone for two days strapped in a car seat inside his home.

WOOD-TV reports that the Kent County agency will now require a higher-level manager to sign off on caseworker decisions involving families with more than one prior case.

The change follows the death of 6-month-old Noah Johnson last year. Noah's death wasn't the first time that the state had contact with his family. The agency confirmed neglect or abuse of Noah on more than one occasion before his death, but the risk level was low enough to not require additional monitoring.

Now a program manager will review such cases even if the risk is low to moderate.