Criminal Background Checks Not Performed On Shelter Workers

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Some workers at a state-operated children's shelter where a 3-month-old boy was found dead earlier this month went without criminal background checks in spite of a state law that

Sunday, December 17th 2006, 2:38 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Some workers at a state-operated children's shelter where a 3-month-old boy was found dead earlier this month went without criminal background checks in spite of a state law that requires them.

The employees at the Pauline E. Mayer shelter in Oklahoma City were identified in an October 30th report. Since then, state Department of Human Services officials say all employees have been cleared to work at the shelter.

The shelter can hold up to 58 children placed there because of abuse and neglect. Fourteen employees -- many of whom had worked at the shelter for more than a decade -- were listed in the report as not having a criminal background or sex offender check.

An investigation is ongoing into the death of Samuel Barber, who died at the shelter after being taken into state custody.