Shari Franke, Ruby and Kevin’s now-20-year-old eldest child, called police on Sept. 18, 2022, to request a welfare check on her younger siblings, according to police records obtained by KSLTV.
Neighbors who gathered outside when police came to the house that day told officers, per their report, that they “were very concerned about the children and them being left at home alone.” Police stated in the report that they could see kids inside but no one answered the door, after which they returned to the house on Sept. 22, 23, 26 and Oct. 3 to assist DCSF.
DCFS confirmed its involvement in the Franke case earlier this month, but wouldn’t comment on past visits.
“In order to protect the integrity of the necessary working relationships with those we serve, and to respect the privacy of children and families,” the agency said in a statement, “DCFS will continue its practice and refrain from sharing specific information on a case, past or present.”
In a Sept. 19 statement, per the Salt Lake Tribune, DCFS said that every referral the agency gets goes through a screening process and every referral was “handled individually to support the unique facts to each case based on information provided.”
While an investigation into “non-supervision” fell under the category of neglect, the agency explained, an investigation was only opened “when the information reported includes a description of a specific occurrence or allegation that a child is subjected to accidental harm, or an unreasonable risk of accidental harm.”
