NEW YORK -- Child welfare officials are investigating the
school enrollment of the entire Rolando Paulino All-Star Little
League team after questions were raised about two of its players,
including Danny Almonte.
The city's Administration for Children's Services decided Friday
to check all of the team's players "to make sure they're enrolled
for the coming school year," spokeswoman Jennifer Falk said.
City officials have already determined that Almonte -- the team's
star pitcher -- was not enrolled in school last year.
"We're treating that as a case of education neglect," said
Falk, whose agency is trying to determine why Almonte, who lived
with his father in the Bronx, did not attend school during the
2000-01 year.
Its investigation could lead to the removal of the boy from his
father's home and placement in foster care, she said, although it
is more likely officials will try to work out another solution.
Felipe de Jesus Almonte had said his son was enrolled in P.S. 70
last year.
Child welfare and school officials met with Almonte's family at
their home Friday. Although the boy's uncle in the Dominican
Republic said he believed Almonte would return there soon, Falk
said they made plans to enroll the boy in New York.
"It was a very productive meeting," said Falk, adding that the
enrollment paperwork is expected to be filed next week.
The Administration for Children's Services was contacted by the
city's Board of Education after the New York Daily News reported
Thursday that Danny was not enrolled in school last year. The Daily
News reported Friday that a second player did not attend the school
listed by the team.
The responsibility to enroll a child rests with the parent or
guardian. By state law, a child must attend school until the age of
17.
Almonte was brought to New York by his father in 2000. His
father said the boy came in the spring, but visa records show he
arrived in June.
