BOULDER, Colo.-
A lost fax may explain why Boulder County social service workers never investigated police reports of family problems at the home of a woman who was later slain.
The social services department will change to a new system in the next couple of weeks that should guarantee that case workers get police works, director Paula McKey told the Boulder Daily Camera.
Police had recommended that case workers visit the Lafayette home of Linda Damm after they made a half dozen visits last year. Her body was found stuffed in her car Feb. 27.
Police allege Linda Damm, 52, was stabbed to death by her daughter’s boyfriend, Bryan Grove, 17. Damm, Grove and two of his friends, Jared Smith, 16, and Jared Guy, 18, have been arrested in connection with the killing.
Tess Damm had accused her mother, who police reports say had an alcohol problem, of neglect. Neighbors reported loud arguments between the mother and daughter.
Lafayette police now will compile a weekly list of referrals for social services to make sure no reports are lost.
One expert said faxes are not reliable enough for such communications.
“Things get lost,” said Larry Botnick, vice president of the National Association of Social Workers’ Colorado chapter. “How do you know it got through, or what if you hit the wrong number? A whole bunch of things could go wrong.”
Also a factor is a federal law requiring that confidential information about individuals be protected from disclosure. Many health professionals will not use e-mail for that reason.
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Information from: Daily Camera,
