N.M. Family Agency Looks Into Death of Child in Foster Home

Jeff Jones

Albuquerque Journal

The state Children, Youth and Families Department is taking its own look into a case in which an Albuquerque foster mother allegedly killed an infant in her care, a spokeswoman said Monday.

Deborah Hartz, who heads the department, said she could not discuss any case, including that of Williette Ulmer, who was arrested Friday on a charge of child abuse resulting in the death of 10-month-old Alexander Ganadonegro. But Hartz said the state does criminal background checks to help make sure potential foster parents are suited for that role, and social workers visit foster homes at least once a month.

"This is a very saddening, tragic case. But we believe it's also very isolated," Hartz said Monday. "We will scrutinize this -- and every other situation -- to determine what we can learn from it."

Ulmer, 29, was released from jail Saturday after posting a $25,000 jail bond. A criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court said Ulmer maintains she did not strike Alexander.

A message left at her home requesting comment Monday was not returned.

Police said that according to the Office of the Medical Investigator, Alexander died as a result of blunt trauma that ruptured his stomach.

Ulmer's husband called 911 Thursday morning after discovering the child with blood on his face, the criminal complaint said. But it said Ulmer was the only adult caring for Alexander "about the time of his death."

The complaint also said a 4-year-old girl in foster care at Ulmer's home, as well as Ulmer's 9-year-old son, allege she was abusive.

Hartz said that during social workers' monthly visits to foster homes, they are supposed to "sit down with the family and talk about how the month is going." They also are to have a "private moment" with the foster child to talk about any concerns.

"If we receive information that leads us to believe the child is being abused, we're going to take steps to ensure that child is safe," Hartz said.

There are about 912 foster families in New Mexico and about 2,000 children in foster care, Hartz said. She said there were 45 substantiations of abuse in 1998, but some involved the same families.

The state pays foster parents about $300 a month per child, Hartz said.

A 1997 Journal investigation of the state's foster care system found that superficial background checks enabled adults with questionable histories to become foster parents.

Hartz said she would not have used the word "superficial" to describe the background checks at that time. But she said the system has improved and more people are now doing the checks.

In April 1993, a 2-year-old boy was beaten to death by his maternal grandmother, who was paid by the state to provide foster care. The Albuquerque woman was later sentenced to 15 years in prison.