News reports about North Carolina child welfare workers Candice Lassiter and Craig Smith, including this article on Huffington Post, underscore the need for social work title protection.

Lassiter and Smith, who are identified as social workers in articles and headlines, have been charged with falsifying home inspection records to cover up their agency’s role in the 2011 death of 15-month-old Aubrey Kina-Marie Littlejohn.

The girl’s great aunt has pleaded guilty in her death. Authorities claim Lassiter and subordinate Smith falsified records to make it seem Swain County had done a thorough investigation of abuse in the home.

Lassiter and Smith are not educated or licensed social workers, according to National Association of Social Workers North Carolina Chapter officials. However, due to state law they can use the title.

You can read more about North Carolina social work title protection at the NASW North Carolina Chapter website.