EDITORIAL SUPES-COME-LATELY COUNTY COMES TO GRIPS WITH CHILD SERVICES CRISIS.

THE Los Angeles County supervisors are outraged over the state of the child services system they oversee, as well they should be.

Too bad it took the death of a 2-year-old boy to catch their attention.

By all indications, the death of little Ivan Merlos of Canoga Park was entirely preventable. On six different occasions, the Department of Child and Family Services received reports of possible neglect or abuse in his home. Yet for some reason the department never saw reason to remove Ivan from his mother's custody - until it was too late.

Then, one day his mother allegedly punched the toddler in the stomach, and, fearing the legal repercussions, didn't call an ambulance when one was needed. Her roommate eventually called authorities, who only arrived after Ivan had gone into cardiac arrest.

Too little, too late. One more horror story from the horrific DCFS.

The supervisors are rightly appalled. They've called for the dismissal or disciplining of the social workers responsible for this fiasco, as well as their immediate bosses and the overhaul of the county child welfare system.

It's about time. DCFS has a dismal record of leaving kids in dangerous situations, including poorly regulated foster homes. The supervisors have finally woken up to this crisis in their midst. They'd better get moving, and fast, before the next preventable tragedy strikes.