Social worker who tried to save baby Phoenix honored as ‘Child Protector of Year’

Matthew Kraft’s voice shook as he accepted the “Child Protector of the Year Award” during a San Jose luncheon Friday.

“It’s actually really difficult for me to accept this award,” the Santa Clara County social worker said, “given what came before it, and the tragedy that led to it.”

Kraft had tried to save Baby Phoenix Castro, sounding the alarm that the infant wouldn’t be safe going home from the hospital with her drug-abusing parents. They had done little to regain two older children...