The pastor of a Bermudian teenager who died in a Utah care institution has urged the public to let her rest.The Reverend Leonard Santucci, pastor at Vernon Temple, said the death of 16-year-old Kirsta Simons last November should not be used to attack the Department of Child and Family Services.The comments came after Kirsta’s mother criticised the department in an interview with journalist Ceola Wilson, which was broadcast on Fresh TV and streamed online through its Facebook page.Mr Santucci said: “I cannot speak on every situation, but when it comes to this precious child, my stance is, let her rest in peace.“It hurts my soul that she is gone. It hurts my soul that everything I said and did as her pastor was not sufficient to prevent the outcome.“I understand some of it, but based on what I know, I know enough to say to the mother, the family and the community, let her rest in peace.”He added: “Deal with your issues, but don’t drudge her up.”Mr Santucci told The Royal Gazette that more community effort should be dedicated to grappling with the issues that cause children to be put into the care of the DCFS.He said: “The first thing we need to come to grips with is DCFS, Alfred Maybury and his team, are not responsible. “The problems that these children have come from their homes and their families. Families are not being honest, they are not being truthful.“They are trying to hide behind some shield and hold the department to a standard that even they themselves could not reach.”The reverend added: “Children are under the auspices of DCFS because of a malfunction or a disconnect in the home, in the family unit or the extended family. “What we could do and should do is help people get the help that they need. “People who are neighbours and watching the situation from afar should step forward sooner rather than later.”He said that in some homes it appeared that bad behaviour was being “permitted and encouraged” by the family, which leads to lasting problems.Mr Santucci said Mr Maybury and DCFS have done an “admirable job in trying circumstances” and could not publicly defend themselves.He added: “She was under the care of the Department of Child and Family Services because it was deemed necessary, so those persons who are speaking out should grapple with why it was necessary.”