Argh, I did jinx myself and computer froze up again! Hate to say it, but I'll have to lurk after getting this posted until everything's fixed...
Back on topic --
With as much as I want to give the benefit of the doubt toward those in charge of reform, this is where I see a possible Catch-22. They want to say "if" the autopsy shows xyz, they will release. However, what if autopsy doesn't show any substantial anything to warrant the release of those records -- despite a documented history of reports of abuse and pictures that indicate physical abuse, personal accounts that hint at emotional abuse, and pictures that indicate neglect/starvation/illness? I have been skeptical of this new law because of some of the wording. Evan Brewer was encased in concrete and video footage taken by MM and SB were evidence along with MM's own words -- even without the DCF case info, LE could make a strong case.
In Lucas's case, we have a father who denies abuse (or did for some time), family who reported suspicions but never witnessed abuse, and the likely abuser who never confessed to abuse and is now dead and cannot confess now. If the COD is not clear that neglect or abuse was the cause, what reason do they have to turn over the case file to LE or to the public? The new law doesn't address DCF's propensity to deny LE a look, citing privacy, and any further DCF reports that could be helpful in establishing a pattern of behavior (such as any possible reports filed on behalf of her boys or MH or any other children) are not likely to get turned over either.
If LE and ME need reports to clarify anything and DCF withholds it until "proof" requires them to, there's the problem. I want to believe that the law was introduced with good intent to be transparent, but it would be nice to know that DCF has turned everything over to LE, DA, and ME even if it hasn't been made public -- otherwise I remain skeptical that it was anything other than a CYA and money-grab....IMO.
