A panel of state Senators had Department of the Iowa Department of Human Services director testify for more than an hour yesterday — but never once questioned her about the Spirit Lake child beating death case. Senate Human Resources Committee Chairman Nancy Boettger of Harlan says the committee wanted to discuss the restructuring of the department instead. She says it’s and important issue that had to be discussed.Senator John Redwine, a republican from Sioux City, is vice chair of the committee. He says there’s “already been alot of discussion about the child’s death in Spirit Lake.”A two-and-a-half year old child was beaten to death in Spirit Lake last month. Her mother and her boyfriend are charged — and state Senators have publicly questioned whether department of human services officials responded to complaints about the couple before the child was slain.
