State considers Web site to post foster child disappearances

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Confidentiality rules that prohibit releasing information on missing foster children are being reconsidered, say Oklahoma officials who are studying the idea of a Web site where

Monday, November 11th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Confidentiality rules that prohibit releasing information on missing foster children are being reconsidered, say Oklahoma officials who are studying the idea of a Web site where information about the children would be posted.

``We're looking at one or two ways that will allow us to get the public involved in helping us find children who are AWOL,'' said George Johnson, a spokesman for the Department of Human Services.

Johnson said DHS directors began to discuss the idea of putting the notices online after The Daily Oklahoman reported last month that 103 foster children are unaccounted for and that relatives and officials have no legal way of asking the public for help.

Johnson said there are still problems to resolve. He said DHS officials do not even have photographs of many of the children in foster care or state custody.

``This is definitely on the table,'' Johnson said. ``It's an important issue, but I'll be honest _ it's not the top issue right now. (Missing children) are not taken lightly, but we're still dealing with budget challenges, and that's a priority.''

The children should be the priority, said Susan Owens who said the DHS has not returned her phone calls since she found out in September from a relative that her granddaughter, Brandi Hawk, is missing from state custody.

``She's listed as a runaway, and yes, she did run away, but she's 15,'' Owens said. ``Shouldn't they care if she's safe? DHS says that they can't ask the public to help find her.''

Since learning of Brandi's disappearance, Owens has made calls to anyone who knew the teen and put up posters made with printing donated by a copy shop.

Owens raised Brandi and two other grandchildren for more than five years before DHS returned them to their birth mother last year. After that didn't work out, the agency put the children in foster homes or juvenile shelters instead of returning them to Owens.

``I just want to tell her that I love her no matter what anyone has said or done,'' Owens said. ``I love her, I will always love my grandchildren. I need to know she's OK.''