Jury Makes $432,000 Judgment Against Oregon DHS

A Clackamas County jury concluded the Oregon Department of Human Services was partially responsible for the death of an infant who died in foster care four years ago.

The jury also found Wednesday that the child’s father was partly at fault, and awarded him $432,000 in damages. Sam Driessen had accused the department of negligence and sought $1.5 million in the wrongful death lawsuit.

The prosecutor said Driessen showed no interest in the girl until she died.

The state Department of Human Services took custody of her because the mother tested positive for drugs and alcohol. Astrid Ash had problems from a premature birth and died in the care of foster parents.