Branstad: Starved teen's death prompted 'personnel changes' at DHS
The Iowa Department of Human Services has made "personnel changes" in the wake of its investigation into the alleged abuse of a West Des Moines teen who starved to death, Gov. Terry Branstad said in a statement Thursday.
Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds said more information will be released once criminal trials involving Natalie Finn’s parents, Nicole Marie Finn and Joseph Michael Finn II, are underway. But he said Human Services “has consulted with the county attorney on releasing information while criminal charges are pursued.”
Branstad said he and Reynolds were saddened by Finn’s death and “the circumstances surrounding her case."
Asked how many employees might have been fired, a governor's spokesperson responded that "appropriate action" was taken with more than one employee.
What should the public know?
State Sen. Matt McCoy, ranking Democrat on the Legislature’s Oversight Committee from West Des Moines, compared the governor’s statement to a "warm bucket of spit" and called it “completely inadequate."
“If he’s going to tell you that much, he deserves to tell you the rest of the story,” said McCoy, who is leading his caucus’ probe into the case. “What were some of (Human Services’) findings? If you terminate a person for cause, you should release the cause.”
McCoy said he spoke to Human Services Director Charles Palmer Thursday morning, and Palmer agreed to brief him Wednesday about the handling of the case.
He said Palmer indicated that Polk County Attorney John Sarcone is reluctant to release details of Natalie Finn’s death for fear of tainting a jury pool.
But McCoy said that’s not a good reason to keep the public from understanding what happened after a neighbor reported in May to West Des Moines police that Natalie Finn and her siblings were being abused.
Finn suffered cardiac arrest Oct. 24. But authorities did not arrest her parents until this month.
McCoy said the jury of “every high-profile homicide would have to be cloistered” if releasing details was a real issue.
“How is releasing what happened going to impact the seating of a jury? They’ve got more secrecy over this than anything I’ve ever seen," he said. "People are clearly nervous about something.”
Ben Hammes, the governor's spokesman, blasted McCoy's comments.
"Gov. Branstad tried to open up personnel files for just cause or public safety in 2014," Hammes said. "Sen. McCoy led the effort to prevent these files from ever being open to the public. For him to take this position now is either the worst kind of politics or a welcome change from his position in 2014."
Amy McCoy, a spokesperson for DHS, said personnel information is confidential under state law.
“We will not be discussing details of the case publicly until we can be sure it won’t jeopardize the court proceedings in any way," McCoy said. "Our attorneys and the county attorney will assist us in making those determinations. Also, we are in contact with legislators who have oversight of DHS regarding the handling of the case."
McCoy said DHS understands “the public wants details, and they also want justice, so we are being very thoughtful in the release of information to protect the integrity of the prosecution.
“We will share information in a transparent manner and in the best interest of child welfare as soon as we are able. We are deeply saddened by the death of Natalie Finn, and we always work toward having the best policies, procedures and personnel in place to protect children amid challenging and changing family dynamics, behaviors and needs.”
She said child welfare is one of the hardest jobs in state government.
“We strive to keep children safe and help make families stronger,” she said.