A former Baltimore County caregiver has come forward with alarming revelations about her unknowing care of an MS-13 gang member who was later convicted of murder. Angela Studivant, who worked as a Child Care Specialist at The Children’s Home in Catonsville for five years, says Maryland Child Protective Services (CPS) put her “in the line of fire” without informing her of the danger.

Studivant recently discovered that she had cared for Walter Martinez, a 16-year-old MS-13 gang member who murdered 20-year-old Kayla Hamilton in Harford County on July 27, 2022. “I cannot believe it,” Studivant told Project Baltimore’s Chris Papst, expressing her shock at learning about Martinez’s true identity through a Fox45 News broadcast.

According to Studivant, after Hamilton’s murder, CPS took custody of Martinez and placed him in The Children’s Home, despite police warnings about his dangerous nature. Studivant was assigned to care for Martinez but was never informed of his background. “That put me in the line of fire that I didn’t even know that I was in,” she stated.

The caregiver recounted instances where she was alone with Martinez, including a car ride to a dentist appointment, highlighting the potential danger she faced unknowingly. “He could have hurt you,” Papst noted, to which Studivant agreed, “He sure could have.”

Adding to the concerns, Project Baltimore uncovered that Martinez was enrolled at Lansdowne High School during his stay at The Children’s Home. “He shouldn’t have been enrolled in school,” Studivant argued, emphasizing the potential risk to other students.

Martinez was later convicted of Hamilton’s murder and sentenced to 70 years in prison. Harford County State’s Attorney Alison Healey revealed that Martinez had admitted in an intercepted letter to murdering four people and committing two rapes, potentially including more crimes in El Salvador.

Both The Children’s Home and the Department of Human Services (DHS), which oversees CPS, declined to comment specifically on Martinez’s case. The Children’s Home directed inquiries to DHS, while DHS stated they were “unable to disclose information about child welfare cases.”

After a few months at The Children’s Home, Martinez was moved to a foster home in Harford County in October 2022. He then attended Edgewood High School until his arrest in January 2023. Studivant believes the foster parents were likely unaware of Martinez’s history, stating, “Why would you say yes? You’re putting all your other kids in jeopardy.”

Studivant’s revelations raise serious questions about the protocols and decision-making processes within CPS. Her experience underscores the need for greater transparency and improved safety measures to protect caregivers, foster families, and the broader community from potential risks associated with dangerous individuals in the child welfare system.

As this story continues to unfold, it highlights the complex challenges faced by child welfare agencies in balancing rehabilitation efforts with public safety concerns. The case of Walter Martinez serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences when crucial information is not shared with those responsible for the care and safety of troubled youth.

Credit: Fox 45 Project Baltimore Chris Papst