ANNAPOLIS, Md. — It took two hours before Kanaiyah Ward's name came up at Wednesday's hearing with the Department of Human Services.

The Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee heard testimony from the auditors who released a scathing report in September and then heard from the Department's Secretary and executive team.

We've previously covered the audit that found several repeat issues with the Department.

Hearing held on Maryland Foster Care System

The auditors went through each of the fourteen findings from the audit report, including the number of foster kids placed at hotels.

While the audit went through May 2024, 16-year-old Kanaiyah Ward was staying at a hotel, under the care of DHS in September 2025.

She was found dead on September 22.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examine

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