Prior complaints
Report details DHS visits to where child died

DHS said that complaint "did not fall within the scope of neglect, as there is no mandatory statutory requirement that a child must attend pre-kindergarten.”

DHS said a child welfare worker went to the home and confirmed that the girl and her brother were dirty, but saw no injuries. The child welfare worker said the girl was developmentally delayed and couldn't have written the words on her own arms, but the adults in the home denied any knowledge of the writing.

"The explanation given was that perhaps some other children on the school bus could have written on the child's arm,” the DHS report said.

The family was referred to the department's Family Support Division.

"William was reported to be filthy and had a red and swollen unclean wound from where his gastric feeding tube had been removed the previous week. The five-year-old sibling was reported to have two large bruises.”

A child welfare worker again visited the home and confirmed the children were dirty. The worker said the mother said the bruises on her daughter were caused by the girl falling after crawling on a kitchen counter top to reach a cabinet. The worker asked that William be seen by a medical professional, which was done, the report said, adding that no infection was found.

The report said the DHS worker revisited the home Sept. 15 and found conditions had improved, adding that the investigation was closed with a recommendation that the family continue receiving services.

Where the case stands now

On Monday, William's sister and a younger brother were in state custody, DHS officials said.