Newly released court documents reveal a troubling pattern of warnings and red flags involving Child Protective Services prior to the deaths of four children in Mechanicville. Records spanning several years indicate that both state and county agencies conducted repeated investigations into Sarah Myers, finding evidence that supported allegations of inadequate guardianship and educational neglect. These reports painted a picture of a household where children frequently missed school and fell behind academically, often under circumstances that investigators found suspicious.
Among the most alarming details in the files is a March 2024 report suggesting that Myers exhibited symptoms of factitious disorder imposed on another, formerly known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Investigators noted that Myers claimed her daughter, Harper, suffered from an exhaustive list of severe ailments including a brain tumor and seizure disorders to justify keeping her home from school. However, records show that whenever Harper did attend class, she appeared healthy. Further inquiries revealed that Myers had even forged medical documentation, leading to the family being discharged from their pediatric practice.
Despite these findings, agency officials concluded in April 2024 that while Myers’ mental health was a safety factor affecting the children’s education, it did not pose an immediate or impending danger requiring a formal safety plan. While CPS offered voluntary preventive services on several occasions, those offers were declined by Myers. Because the agency felt unable to take further legal action at the time, the cases were eventually closed without significant intervention.
This lack of action has sparked outrage and potential litigation from the children’s father, Brady Harmon. Living in Utah, Harmon had been embroiled in a bitter custody battle with Myers since their divorce in 2020; tragically, the children were discovered dead just ten days before they were scheduled to begin a court ordered visit with him. His legal team argues that CPS served as the last line of defense and failed its fundamental obligation to protect the siblings despite clear warning signs. A lawsuit seeking 400 million dollars in damages is now moving forward as part of an effort to hold the agencies accountable for what they describe as systemic failure.
