CLEVELAND, OH -
The father of a baby paralyzed in a drunk driving accident is speaking out, and he's criticizing Cuyahoga County social workers for the incident.
The mother of one year old Ayden Means is suspected of driving drunk with the child in the front seat, and Ayden's father thinks child welfare workers should've done more to protect the boy before the crash.
The accident happened last month on Cleveland's east side.
Before that crash, Anthony Means had taken steps toward gaining custody of the Ayden, saying mom has a problem with drug abuse.
Means is separated form Ayden's mother, and says he was stunned to learn social workers had been involved with the mom before, getting her drug treatment help that he was not aware of before the crash.
"That's what really hurt me the most. I felt helpless, and he was just so close," said Anthony Means.
There has been no comment from Cuyahoga County Dept. of Children and Family Services, and the agency is refusing to answer questions about involvement with this family.
A spokeswoman told us the agency is not talking because there is a custody dispute.
However, 19 Action News believes what the agency did or didn't do should be made public.
As for the Ayden's mother, a grand jury will consider charges. We've tried to reach her for days, leaving messages by phone and visiting addresses, but have had no response from her.
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