Georgia attorney to lead Office of Child Advocate

ATLANTA (AP) Gov. Nathan Deal has appointed attorney Ashley Willcott the new director of the Office of Child Advocate, the official watchdog of the state's child welfare system.

Willcott replaces Tonya Boga, who resigned in November. Officials with the state Division of Family and Children Services have been under scrutiny for the handling of cases involving two children who later died.

The governor's office says Willcott is a certified child welfare law specialist with lengthy experience in the juvenile justice system. Willcott has her own practice and is a special assistant attorney general for the Rockdale and Dawson County Department of Family and Children Services.

She was appointed DeKalb County Juvenile Court Judge Pro Tem and served as Fulton County Juvenile Court Judge Pro Tem.

Willcott's appointment is effective Feb. 1.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/1/269663