Oct 2, 2008 11:25 pm US/Eastern
Dead Girls' Mother Was Investigated For Neglect
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) ―
-
-
There's new information in the case involving a mother suspected of killing two adopted daughters and keeping their bodies in a freezer.
CBS
There's new insight into the deaths of two young girls whose remains were found in their adoptive mother's freezer.
Dennis Edwards reports a social worker visited Renee Bowman's home earlier this year after an anonymous tip.
The children were OK, but their good health didn't last for long.
The caseworker was dispatched to Renee Bowman's southern Maryland home in January. An anonymous neglect complaint about one child was at the heart of that investigation, but the child was in good health.
Nine months later, police found the bodies of two adopted daughters in Bowman's freezer.
"He couldn't figure out what it was, but they weren't treating the little girl right," said Evon Keller.
Although authorities have no record of her call, Evon Keller says she also made an abuse complaint against Bowman in 2003 when the family lived near Landover.
She believes that complaint, based on information from another neighbor, involved one of the little girls -- ages 9 and 11-- whose bodies were apparently moved in the freezer to Lusby.
Police made the discovery while investigating a third adopted daughter who was found wandering in the streets covered in bruises.
So far, Bowman hasn't been charged. Police and prosecutors are waiting for autopsy results before deciding which charges to pursue.
Bowman apparently told investigators one daughter died of starvation and the other from a fall.
"It's kind of scary knowing that there were two children in the freezer only about four houses away from me," said a male neighbor.
"I wish I would have stayed on top of it because I probably could have saved that child's life. She didn't have a chance," said Keller.
The DHR released a statement saying when Social Services visited, the child was in good health and conditions in the home were adequate.
Due to the outpouring of concern and well-wishes from the community, the Calvert County Department of Social Services has established a way for interested community members to contribute funds, toys, clothes or other appropriate items to support the recovery of the surviving child in the Bowman case. Those interested in contributing should send appropriate items and tax-deductible contributions to:
Calvert County Dept. of Social Services
c/o: Calvert's Child
200 Duke Street
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Montgomery County Police are asking the public to call if they have any information about Bowman and her daughters.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Shocking Celebrity Suicides
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments