Texas names new head for state child abuse investigations, after high turnover, heavy criticism

The state’s child welfare agency has a new head of Child Protective Investigations, the department tasked with investigating reports of child abuse and neglect.

Marta Talbert, who has spent 25 years working in child welfare, has been appointed the associate commissioner of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services’ investigations division, according to the agency on Tuesday.

This comes as the embattled agency struggles with a record-high staff turnover–about 4 in 10 investigators left their job in fiscal year 2022.