Metro Briefs

DISTRICT

Child welfare chief gets permanent post

D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty on Tuesday nominated the interim director of the city’s Child and Family Services Agency to permanently lead the troubled department.

Roque Gerald has been the agency’s interim leader since July when Sharlynn Bobo resigned. He had served under Miss Bobo as deputy director.

Mr. Gerald has led the effort to improve the child welfare system by reducing a backlog of cases and improving the retention of social workers, the mayor said.

The agency spent five years under federal receivership before the city regained control nine years ago. Since then, it has remained under the watch of a court monitor.

Last year, the agency struggled to handle a flood of child-abuse reports after a woman was found living with the bodies of her four daughters in Southeast.

Police find rifle in truck at Capitol

A man who drove a pickup truck to the Capitol and said he had a delivery for President Obama was arrested Tuesday after a rifle was found in the truck, police said.

The man, identified as Alfred Brock, 64, of Winnfield, La., was later charged with possession of an unregistered firearm and possession of unregistered ammunition, said Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, a Capitol Police spokeswoman.

The suspect did not make an explicit threat against the president, she added.

Police briefly closed the north driveway to the Capitol grounds while the truck was inspected for hazardous materials. None was found, Sgt. Schneider said. The pickup was towed away.

Students arrested in Cardozo fight

A large fight broke out Tuesday at Cardozo High School in Northwest, injuring 18 students - including five who were hospitalized, D.C. police said.

Authorities were called to the school in the 1300 block of Clifton Street about 11:30 a.m. Police arrested 16 people on charges including assault and disorderly conduct.

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