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Families, advocates press Canton City Council over CPS and police conduct; council says it lacks authority
Summary
Multiple residents and family members addressed the Canton City Council during public comment with allegations against Child Protective Services and Canton police misconduct; the presiding officer urged taking complaints to county authorities and noted the council lacks statutory authority over CPS or family-court decisions.
Dozens of residents and family members used the council's public-comment period to press for accountability in cases they said involved Child Protective Services and the Canton Police Department, accusing agencies of hiding evidence and using excessive force. Council leaders responded that the city council has limited statutory authority over CPS and family-court decisions.
The complaints came in a string of emotional statements. "Officer Garrett Marino is who took my brother's life away wrongfully," said Bella Fornash, a Uniontown resident, who described the Dec. 5, 2023, death of her brother and said Marino had a record of prior suspensions and uses of force. "No family should mourn the way…
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