Family Awaits Father's Trial For Full Justice In OKC Neglect Case

Two Department of Human Services (DHS) workers and Quinten Douglas Wood's father have been charged with neglect and both workers are now facing the consequences.

Saturday, December 20th 2014, 3:30 pm

By: News 9


Two Department of Human Services (DHS) workers and Quinten Douglas Wood's father have been charged with neglect and both workers are now facing the consequences. And Quinten's sister who fought so hard said she is finally relieved.

"We're at an awe that it's happening, people are being held accountable for it. I got chills," said Quinten's sister Valerie Wood-Harber.

For so long it seemed to Valerie Wood-Harber she was only background noise. But since January of this year, her voice has been heard.

Valerie ran one of the most successful Change.org campaigns in the site's history, collecting more than 500,000 signatures and left each one on the governor's door step.

She requested and was granted a full investigation into the death of her 15-year-old brother with special needs, Quinten Douglas Wood.

1/7/2014 Related Story: OKC Woman Pleads For Investigation In Death Of 15-Year-Old Brother

He died of pneumonia, but Valeria saw the real cause of death to be child neglect.

"If you see something, you need to say something. Don't just assume someone else will report it," said Valerie.

From that investigation, Valerie and Quinten's father, Michael Wood, and two DHS workers were charged.

DHS employee Rachel Qualls has already pleaded guilty for a misdemeanor count of willful neglect and received a one year suspended sentence.

Recently, DHS supervisor Paul Myers has pleaded guilty to the felony charges of willful neglect to perform a duty of public trust and computer fraud.

He was sentenced to three years in prison.

The conviction came two years to the day when Valerie first called DHS with her concerns.

"What went wrong on this day two years ago was made right on this day," said Valerie.

Valerie said she now awaits her father's trial, to find full justice for Quinten.

"I don't really look at him as my father anymore I look at him as the man that killed my brother. My love for my brothers transcends any other emotion I feel," said Valerie.

Michael Wood's preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 7., where he faces two counts of child neglect.

A new law has also resulted from this case called the Quinten Douglas Wood Act.

It calls for DHS investigators to make an extra effort when a child cannot communicate effectively because of disability.

12/20/2014 Related Story: Oklahoma DHS Worker Sentenced In The Death of A Special Needs Teen

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