By Associated Press
Frankfort, KY – A leading Kentucky lawmaker has called for the resignation of Health and Family Services Secretary Janie Miller. Louisville Republican Sen. Julie Denton co-chairs the Interim Joint Committee on Health and Welfare. She made the call yesterday, citing concerns about Miller's oversight of the state's child welfare programs. But Gov. Steve Beshear said Miller has his full confidence. Miller's agency has come under increasing criticism for its handling of child abuse cases, some of which have ended in deaths that lawmakers think may have been preventable. In one case, public
records suggest social workers may have ignored abuse reports involving a 9-year-old western Kentucky girl who was later beaten to death. That prompted a review of the state's child-welfare system. Beshear said Miller continues to work to improve the child protection system.