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appreciate all responses that I received Some of them were very kind and
helpful. Most of them were just disappointing! We have had an election
since I received these letters. Many of the officials are no longer in office.
that they would be on the office letterhead that I received. This is simply me typing
what is on the letter so that I can share with you what I received. Thank you.
State Capitol Office
201 W Capitol Ave.
Jefferson City, Mo 65101-6806
May 13, 2002
Dear Ms. Weakley,
Thank you for your recent letter Although I certainly regret the circumstances that prompted it. In an effort to
be of assistance to you I am contacting the Division of Family Services on your behalf.
I hope we can receive a positive response to your inquiry.
Sincerely,
Jim Froelker
JF:RC
_____________________________________________________________________________
May 14, 2002
Mr. Lee Waer
Divison of Family Services
Central Office
615 Howerton Court
Jefferson City, Mo 65103-0088
Dear Mr. Waer
Re: Katee Weakley, daughter of Lorraine Weakley
This is a request for you to kindly investigate how DFS handled the case of Katee Weakley, who passed
away from SIDS on January 24, 2002. According to Ms. Lorraine Weakley, the Divisoin of Family Services
treated her family horribly after the death of thier daughter.
Enclosed is a copy of the letter I received from Ms. Weakley and my heart goes out to her. If her
accusations are correct, and why would someone make this up, then DFS should make some genuine
apologies. Perhaps DFS should be trained regarding SIDS and be more sensitive towards a grieving family, (
innocent until proven guilty).
Please keep in contact with me regarding this investigation.
Sincerely,
Jim Froelker
JF:RC
Enclosures
______________________________________________________________________________________
Attorney General of Missouri
Jeremiah ( Jay) Nixon
P.O. Box 899
Jefferson City, Mo 65102
May 17, 2002
Dear Ms. Weakley:
Thank you for your letter. We are very sorry about the loss of your family has suffered and we appreciate
your making our office aware of your situation. The Office of the Attorney General, however, has no authority
to investigate this matter. This office has no authority to supervise or intervene in their activities. You may
want to contact the headquarters for the Department of Social Services about what happened in this
situation. Again we are very sorry about your family's loss.
We regret that we are unable to provide assistance to you.
Missouri Department of Social Services
P.O. Box 1527
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-1527
Sincerely,
Malcolm Buxton
Missouri Attorney General's Office
I am very disappointed in this response. Everyone else who has responded has at least offered to forward
this on to who ever it needs to go to. It seems as if they do not want to bothered by the citizens of this state.
Mr Nixon could not even respond himself. He had to have someone from his office do so. What a
disappointment! Lori
______________________________________________________________________________________
Lieutenant Governor of Missouri
Joe Maxwell
State Capitol
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
May 13, 2002
Dear Ms. Weakley:
You and your family have my deepest sympathy on the recent loss of your child. I appreciate you taking the
time to make this of your concerns regarding the Missouri Division of Family Services. Your letter will be
forwarded to the appropriate agency for a review and a response to you and our office.
If we can be of assistance on other matters, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Joe Maxwell
JM/mam
______________________________________________________________________________________
Office of the Secretary of State
State of Missouri
Matt Blunt
State Capitol
Room 208
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
May 16, 2002
Dear Ms. Weakley:
I was sorry to learn of your and your husband's loss. Please accept my sympathy in the death of your baby,
Kathleen.
As your Secretary of State, i do not have jurisdiction over the Division of Family Services. I am forwarding
your letter to your member of the Missouri House of Representatives, Representative Jim Froelker and your
member of the Missouri Senate, Senator David Klarich for their review.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may ever be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Matt Blunt
cc: The Honorable Jim Froelker
House District 111
The Honorable David Klarich
Senate District 26
______________________________________________________________________________________
May 18, 2002
I spoke with Lynn Gear, Director of the Department of Social Services for Franklin County. She was very
sympathetic to our situation. She apologized for the way we were treated. She was not informed that SIDS
Resources had made contact with them. She asked me to have them call her personally and she will make it
mandatory that everyone in the office takes the SIDS informational and sensitivity course. She also informed
me that this case was called in as a Hot line call which is why I was treated the way they did. She also agreed
that the law does not allow for mistakes like this. She welcomes any changes to the law. I am in no way done
with my pursuit to change the laws however; this was a very positive step in correcting the horrendous way we
were treated. Hopefully they will stop and think before they do this to another parent.