Social workers found no problem at Bowman home

Social workers found no problem at Bowman home

October 3, 2008

By Brent Jones

Officials from the state Department of Human Resources said they found nothing out of the ordinary during a January visit to the home of the Calvert County woman who is being held in connection with the deaths of her two adopted daughters last year.

A DHR caseworker went to Renee Bowman's residence, then in Charles County, after the department received an anonymous call alleging child neglect there.

Calvert County authorities said Bowman, 43, has admitted killing the two girls, who would now be 9 and 11, and placing their remains in a freezer.

Police said they believe that the girls were killed when the family lived in Montgomery County and that Bowman took the freezer with her as she moved to homes in Charles and Calvert counties.

She was being held without bail in a Calvert County jail on charges of abusing a third adopted daughter.

Bowman has not been charged in the girls' deaths, Montgomery County police said. Police are awaiting autopsy results from the state medical examiner.

DHR officials said they found no signs of neglect during the January visit to the Charles County house. The caseworker reported a mildewy smell in the home, which Bowman said was caused by a water leak in her basement.

Bowman used a false name while living in Charles County, officials said.

Bowman's youngest daughter, who is 7, was found covered in bruises and cuts a week ago by a neighbor in Lusby, setting off the investigation.