No criminal charges for social workers in fatal neglect case

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Prosecutors won’t file criminal charges against an Indiana Department of Child Services employee and a private social worker who visited an Indianapolis home six days before the neglect death of a disabled teenager but didn’t report any concerns about her well-being.

Marion County Prosecutor’s Office spokeswoman Peg McLeish tells The Indianapolis Star the conduct of the workers for DCS and Damar Services didn’t constitute crimes.

Linda Kelley died Aug. 4, her lower body covered with blackened bedsores. Her parents have been charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury.

The case prompted DCS to fire two employees for failing to protect the girl and to end Damar’s contract to provided home services in the child-welfare system.

Messages seeking comment were left for DCS and Damar representatives.