Indiana Department of Child Services Director James Payne resigns

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The head of Indiana’s Department of Child Services has resigned amid allegations of ethics violations involving a child custody case in his own family.

An Indianapolis Star investigation revealed that in 2010, Payne was guardian of his grandchildren after DCS removed them from their mother's home. The investigation indicates Payne was deeply involved in helping John Payne, his adult son and the children's father, wage a legal fight against DCS; the very agency Jim Payne has led since 2005. That's a possible breach of department ethics. House democrats quickly reacted.

"All of us were calling for his resignation. I believe it was the best thing for him to do and the best thing for the safety and best practices for our children," said Representative Vanessa Summers.

In his resignation letter, the former DCS director blasted the media that revealed the details of his family's case. He then wrote, "I will not allow this personal, family tragedy to be misused to distort the positive performance of all DCS employees."

With that, he hoped to end the public probe of what he believes to be a private matter. But does it end it?

"There needs to be an investigation done," said Summers.

To that, Republican Senator Travis Holdman responded, "We have an ethics commission. We have an Inspector General, and we have the Governor's office who has taken this matter into his own hands where it should have been."

So will the governor ask for an investigation? His spokesman, Jan Jankowski says no.

In a statement, the governor had harsh words for the criticism of Payne. He wrote, "Attacks on (Payne’s) record have ranged from innocently ignorant to despicably political and self-interested. His resignation does not alter the plain truth that thousands of Indiana children are better off, and many are alive only because of the passionate and devoted leadership of this fine public servant."

In the meantime, Chief of Staff John Ryan will take the helm as the director of DCS.