The Rev. Johnny Wade Sloan, board chairman, said board members
decided to release the document despite an opinion issued
Tuesday from the county prosecutor's office. Prosecutor Robin
Piper urged the board not to release documents without
authorization from Clermont County Prosecutor Don White to avoid
interfering with the involuntary manslaughter case against
foster parents Liz and David Carroll Jr.
A Children Services employee
requested the opinion Monday. It was not clear Tuesday if the
board had sought approval from White.
"This does not in any way
impede the investigation," Sloan said. "I think it shows the
level of deception that the Carrolls (were) giving Lifeway."
Lifeway has also made claims
that the couple deceived the agency, but the released document
reveals information Lifeway may have excluded from its
statements.
Lifeway reported Friday that
David Carroll listed employment as a subcontractor for a moving
company for the past eight years. This is consistent with
information gathered Jan. 3, when the couple was licensed for
foster care.
However, the report completed
just days before Marcus was placed stated David Carroll "is an
independent business owner, who has his own DJ service and whom
also does freelance computer repair."
According to Lifeway, a
reference said the Carrolls "have a long and stable marriage."
However, Lifeway did not reveal the reference was Amy Baker, the
couple's live-in girlfriend — not reported as a resident — who
is now cooperating with authorities in the case against the
Carrolls.
The criminal background checks
of the Carrolls, also released Tuesday, were conducted in
December 2005 for the two-year foster license. Butler County
officials have said they did not conduct more frequent checks,
including at the time of Marcus placement. County officials also
have said they did not check outside the state. They didn't know
about a June 22 domestic violence incident or a theft conviction
in Kentucky.
"What we are doing from an
information gathering perspective is not sufficient. If it was
sufficient ... we wouldn't have this young man passed away,"
William Morrison, Children Services' independent investigator,
said based on "information holes" he has found in his
preliminary investigation of Marcus' case.
State Sen. Gary Cates said he
hopes to turn Marcus' tragedy into good policy. Cates said he
plans to host two public forums as early as next week. Later, he
said he'll hold a meeting of stakeholders to find ways to
respond to the public's concerns, including through legislation
he may introduce in November.
