How Failures in Child Protection Led to a Newark Girl’s Death
In March 2025, 6-year-old Ne’Miya Duncan of Newark tragically lost her life, just three days after a child welfare worker visited her school. The heartbreaking case has raised serious questions about how New Jersey’s child protection system safeguards children in danger.
Months before her death, multiple reports of abuse were made against Ne’Miya’s mother, Zyrihah Hall, through the state’s child abuse hotline. Three separate tipsters accused Hall of harming Ne’Miya and her three younger siblings. Yet, in each instance, the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) determined the complaints were unfounded or not substantiated. These decisions came despite an agency visit to the child at school shortly before her death.
State Children and Families Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer called the mishandling of the case “shocking and upsetting,” acknowledging that the investigation and follow-up actions did not align with the agency’s policies and practices. She admitted that dismissing the allegations against Hall was “just wrong,” highlighting systemic failures that allowed abuse to continue unchecked.
Following the tragedy, the state launched an internal investigation that resulted in disciplinary actions against eight DCPP employees, including a manager who was later transferred and subsequently retired. Commissioner Norbut Beyer also ordered a statewide review of families with multiple hotline reports within a year, sending staff to visit over 1,400 households. This review found 42 cases with questionable decision-making, though none of these resulted in harm to children.
The Newark South office of DCPP, where the Duncan case originated, was permanently closed in October 2025. Most of its 87 employees were reassigned to other offices in Newark, East Orange, and across Essex County. Commissioner Norbut Beyer explained that declining caseloads initially prompted the closure, but the Ne’Miya Duncan case accelerated the timeline and reinforced the decision.
The family expressed frustration over a lack of communication regarding the agency’s findings. Ne’Miya’s paternal aunt, Alexus Duncan, stated that she and other relatives were unaware of key developments and learned only later that a caseworker had visited Ne’Miya just days before her death. She described Ne’Miya as a lively and joyful child who brought energy and happiness to those around her.
Ne’Miya’s interactions with the child welfare system began in 2020. During that time, several hotline complaints were made against her mother, but investigators either deemed them unfounded or could not determine the abuser. In 2023, a caseworker substantiated abuse after observing injuries on Ne’Miya and her siblings, temporarily placing the children with relatives. However, by May 2024, the children were returned to Hall’s custody after she completed therapy, parenting, and anger management programs, with continued supervision from the agency.
Subsequent reports of abuse, including visible injuries on Ne’Miya and her siblings, were repeatedly deemed unfounded, even when evidence suggested otherwise. The final agency contact occurred on March 7, 2025, when a caseworker visited the children at school, just three days before the fatal incident. Commissioner Norbut Beyer emphasized that employees should have acted decisively given the family’s extensive child welfare history.
In response to these failures, the state has convened a committee of national child protection experts to evaluate improvements in investigating child abuse and neglect. A new policy is scheduled for implementation in January, requiring the agency to flag families with at least three complaints in a year for closer investigation.
Ne’Miya Duncan’s death also marks a pivotal moment for the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, which recently concluded two decades of federal oversight aimed at modernizing and improving the state’s child welfare system. While significant progress has been made, this case underscores the ongoing challenges in ensuring that protective measures reach children at risk.
State oversight continues through the Staffing and Oversight Review Subcommittee of the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect, which monitors employee caseloads and agency performance. The closure of the Newark South office and reassignment of staff has created operational challenges, particularly for East Orange, which now manages an expanded coverage area. Employees report feeling overwhelmed despite lower caseload goals, illustrating the strain on remaining resources and the importance of proper staffing in child protection efforts.
The tragic loss of Ne’Miya Duncan raises urgent questions about accountability, communication, and systemic reform within New Jersey’s child welfare system. It highlights the crucial need for timely interventions, thorough investigations, and transparent communication with families to prevent future tragedies.
Sources:
New Jersey Department of Children and Families
Essex County Prosecutor’s Office
State of New Jersey Child Abuse Prevention and Reporting Guidelines
