Note: This press release was provided by the Maryland House Republican Caucus
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – House Republicans today repeated their call for Governor Moore to remove Juvenile Services Secretary Vincent Schiraldi. This call follows the release of an audit of the Department of Juvenile Services, which found that the department did not ensure criminal background checks were completed on contractors providing services directly to youth. This failure led to at least one individual with a prior criminal conviction working directly with children. The audit also found the Department
“This is yet another troubling, but not surprising, example of the Department of Juvenile Justice’s failure to protect the children in its care,” said House Minority Leader Jason Buckel. “This agency has a record of constant failure in its basic duties, and they have not once been held accountable. With the hundreds of accusations of historic abuse being lodged at the DJS, one would think they would have a laser focus on those who were working directly with the children under their supervision, but again, this is not the case.”
“This is just completely unacceptable”, said House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy. “We were made aware that Secretary Schiraldi himself had brought in an individual who was convicted of murder and spent 26 years in prison to help him reform the department. Now we find out that an individual who was convicted of second-degree assault and possession of a dangerous weapon with the intent to injure is working directly with children. It is outrageous that these poor decisions continue, and nothing substantive has been done to correct course.”
During the 2025 Legislative Session, House Republicans introduced House Bill 652, the Juvenile Offenders Protection Act, which would prohibit the Department from knowingly hiring or retaining any individual convicted of specific crimes of violence. The Department of Juvenile Services did not offer any testimony on the bill.
The Joint Republican Caucus wrote to Governor Moore, calling for Schiraldi’s removal on October 1, 2024, following the brutal attack of a 66-year-old man when one of the assailants was sent home with no supervision. House Republicans renewed that call two weeks later after a juvenile offender under DJS supervision with an ankle monitor was involved in a homicide and came to school with a gun.
The Department of Juvenile Services is not only tasked with keeping our communities safe, but it is also responsible for ensuring the safety of the children in their care, said Delegate William Valentine, the Ranking Republican member of the House Judiciary Committee. “It is clear, now more than ever, that DJS is failing in its fundamental duties. The Governor must take action.”