Was a phone call in order?

Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 officials on Friday asked police to investigate possible violations of state child abuse reporting laws after a former teacher alleged the district ignored her concerns last year over the behavior of Magdalene Kamysz.

Former Husmann Elementary School teacher Vanessa Hopp said she repeatedly told a district social worker and gifted teacher about her concerns for the safety of Sydney Kamysz, 7, who was found dead in her Crystal Lake home this week.

Superintendent Ron Miller said he asked police to determine if any former or current employees at Husmann violated the state's Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

"I feel it best we have an independent investigation," Miller said. "They'll make a determination as to who observed what and was it reportable and who should have reported it."

State law requires workers in certain professions to make reports if they have reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect.

Those required to report abuse or neglect -- known as mandated reporters -- include medical personnel, any person who works for a school, and law enforcement officers.

Crystal Lake police are working with the McHenry County sheriff's department, which is heading the multi-department investigation into the deaths of Sydney Kamysz, 7, and her mother, Magdalene Kamysz, 28.

"We have a murder investigation," McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren said. "What I'm concerned about is there are people who have information about a mother and a child's relationship."

Sydney was found dead in her bed just before 6 p.m. Tuesday, about four hours after her mother stepped in front of a Metra train between Cary and Crystal Lake.

Police say they believe Magdalene suffocated her daughter before climbing on the tracks, taking her own life.

Hopp, who was Sydney's first-grade teacher in the dual language program, described numerous instances to the Daily Herald Thursday in which she saw the mother's "intense" behavior, including slaps and pinches, and threats. She said she told the school's social worker and asked if she should call the Department of Children and Family Services but was told it had been taken care of.

Miller said his staff reassured him Friday they were not aware of any abuse allegations involving Sydney.

"If you feel a child's safety is in danger, you make the phone call," Miller said. "At least at the first level, Mrs. Hopp determined not to make the phone call and to pass the responsibility to someone else."

Hopp could not be reached for additional comment.

Department of Children and Family Services spokesman Kendall Marlowe said notifying a supervisor does not satisfy the responsibility of a mandated reporter.

"This is not a duty you can pass on," said Marlowe, who said DCFS had no prior contact with the family. "They are tough calls to make, but it is best to err on the side of safety."

Marlowe added a mandated reporter's willful failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect is a misdemeanor.