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DHS Firing Two Employees Over Disabled Youth's Death

Department of Human Services

Oklahoma's Department of Human Services says it's firing two employees over their mishandling of a case involving a disabled 15-year-old boy who died of pneumonia last year after suffering alleged neglect and abuse at his father's home.

Quinten Wood died Jan. 4, 2013.

The state agency also said Monday that an internal investigation into Woods' case has prompted an overhaul of how it improves child protection — particularly when DHS becomes involved in cases with children who have mental and developmental disabilities.

The boy's sister, Valerie Wood-Harber of Fayetteville, Ark., had complained to Gov. Mary Fallin last month that despite a recent and costly restructuring of DHS following a series of high-profile child deaths, the agency failed to protect her brother.

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