Records show prior CYF involvement with family of child who was abused and killed
Court records show Allegheny County Children Youth & Families was involved with the family of 3-year-old Bella Seachrist.
Bella's father, stepmother and aunt are charged with abusing and then killing her.
In 2017, records show CYF went to court to support giving sole custody of Bella to her father, Jose Salazar-Ortiz. A judge awarded custody to Salazar-Ortiz, who is now charged with killing Bella.
A spokesperson for the Department of Human Services, which oversees CYF, declined to comment on the case but said in general, judges have sole authority over custody matters.
"Child welfare, a child advocate, a parent advocate or a court appointed special advocate may make recommendations regarding placement or a change of placement, but the judge ultimately decides where the child will live," said DHS spokesman Mark Bertolet.
Earlier this week, Bella's biological mother told Pittsburgh's Action News 4 she agreed to give up custody to Salazar-Ortiz because she could not provide for Bella.
"I just feel very hurt because he broke all his promises to take care of her and make sure she was going to be okay," said Nicole Seachrist.
In Oakmont, some residents are questioning whether the community could have done more to prevent Bella's death.
"See something, say something," retired school principal Sophia Facaros posted on a neighborhood social media site.
"Just because you live in Oakmont, doesn't mean the next-door neighbor isn't doing something he shouldn't be doing," Facaros said.
Bella's death was a topic of discussion at Oakmont's Greek Food Festival, one of the town's biggest community events.
"It kind of makes you stop and think a little about what the signs were, is there something someone should have done or said or looked into further," said Andy Gavrilos, co-chair of the festival.