Report: Indiana child welfare agency knew of underfed teen

ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) - A newspaper is reporting the Indiana Department of Child Services knew an Anderson 16-year-old was malnourished at least four years before she was rushed to a hospital weighing less than 40 pounds.

The Indianapolis Star reported Friday (http://indy.st/1zmi4CG ) that it has obtained documents showing people expressed concern for the teen's welfare multiple times before the December hospital admission.

The Star says a DCS record dated Sept. 21, 2010, shows someone contacted the agency to report that the girl, then 11, appeared "very malnourished," had a large bruise on her cheek and wasn't attending school. The record described the girl as "skeletal."

DCS opened a case but later closed it.

A message seeking comment was left with a DCS spokesman.

The girl's grandparents and an aunt face neglect and other charges.

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Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com