The Corpus Christi (Tx.) Caller-Times has filed a complaint against the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, contending the state agency failed to release information about cases of child neglect and abuse, reports the Associated Press. Editor Libby Averyt said the department violated of the state’s Public Information Act by not properly responding to the newspaper’s request for information.
A spokesman for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services said information regarding specific abuse and neglect investigations is restricted by law. The Caller-Times asked the state in May “all findings or information about each case of child abuse or neglect in Texas, which has resulted in a child fatality or near fatality during the fiscal year 2004.” The newspaper cited the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act as grounds for access to the information. The act makes public information regarding acts of child abuse or neglect that lead to the death or near death of a child.
Link: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3335800