The Senate panel investigating the Department for Children and Families on Wednesday said it wants the power to subpoena DCF records, but doesn’t know if it will use that power.
The panel heard from several new witnesses in its investigation into processes and policy regarding child welfare. They also saw a draft of a resolution granting it subpoena power.
“We have no intention of looking at the records of Dezirae Sheldon,” said Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, co-chairman of the panel.
Two-year-old Dezirae died Feb. 21 at the hospital. An autopsy report said she died of blunt trauma to the head. Her stepfather, Dennis Duby of Poultney, is charged with second-degree murder. The panel was convened following that death.
“We’re not sure how we’re going to use this,” said Sen. Claire Ayer, D-Addison, the panel’s other co-chair.
Sears said the panel might want to subpoena several case files from different parts of the state to compare how they were handled. It might also want to see confidential court records or compel witnesses to testify before the group.
Even if the criminal investigation into Dezirae’s case concludes before the panel ceases to exist in January, Sears said he doesn’t intend to ask for her records.
Panel members Wednesday asked about the legal ramifications of viewing private records, and about whether they would need to meet behind closed doors to review them.
They also asked whether the panel could make public findings drawn from secret documents.
Ayer directed panel members to compile their concerns about the subpoena resolution before next week’s meeting.
Legislative attorney Michelle Childs also told the committee the sex offender status of Sandra Eastman, the mother of Dezirae Sheldon, has been corrected so she now appears on the online registry.
