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Updated 09/24/2010 10:54 PM

Two Child Services Workers Suspended On Heels Of Girl's Death

By: NY1 News

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Two Administration for Children Services workers were suspended without pay Friday, after agency officials determined there were lapses in protection for a four-year-old Brooklyn girl who died earlier this month

ACS officials said the workers did not follow standard policies and procedures in Marchella Pierce's case.

The agency said it will take more actions as deemed necessary.

Pierce was found dead on September 2 inside her Bedford-Stuyvesant home, after her mother called 911 to say the child was unconscious.

Sources say the girl was force-fed sleeping pills and that marks on her wrists and ankles were consistent with being tied to her bed.

ACS said workers failed to make the minimum number of visits to the Pierce home.

As the investigation continues, the agency said it will take more action as deemed necessary.

The girl's mother mother, Carlotta Brett-Pierce, is charged with assault, reckless endangerment and child endangerment. She denies the charges.

The girl's father said Marchella was born premature with serious health problems.