Concerns regarding the safety of two children in the care of their mother, Melissa Gabriel, were raised during a recent government meeting. The discussion centered on the reliability of sober caretakers designated in a safety plan, particularly focusing on William, Gabriel's boyfriend, who was found to be using alcohol despite being responsible for the children's care.

An investigator revealed that during an unannounced visit, only William was present at the home. The investigator expressed concerns after William initially agreed to a drug screening but later recanted, suggesting that the results could complicate the case. Ultimately, when he did submit to the screening, it returned positive for substances, disqualifying him as a sober caretaker.

Further complicating the situation, Gabriel had proposed her cousin as an alternative caretaker. However, it was discovered that this individual had a history of prior terminations, raising additional concerns about their suitability.

The investigator concluded that there is a substantial risk of harm to the children's physical and mental well-being if they remain in Gabriel's custody, citing ongoing substance use and inadequate supervision as primary factors. Although Gabriel is participating in weekly substance abuse programming through Catholic Charities, concerns were noted regarding her minimization of substance use during assessments.

The meeting underscored the critical need for a thorough evaluation of the children's living conditions and the effectiveness of the support systems in place for their mother.