It's been six months since the state Department of Children and Families decided to review Dane County's actions in a child welfare case. But the department has still not issued its report.
The state is looking into why Dane County allowed 3-year-old Deshaunsay Sykes-Crowder to be given to Linda Sykes, her aunt. Sykes had a violent background, including hitting a woman over the head with a gun and stabbing a 15-year-old cousin during an argument. After Sykes got custody of Deshaunsay, she moved to Ohio, where she was charged this summer with murdering the girl, then 6.
Dane County officials have refused to discuss their actions, citing confidentiality rules. And the state still has no answer.
"It's a very involved process," explains Ryan Reszel, a spokesman for the Department of Children and Families. "The death of a child is certainly a serious matter. We want to make sure we're not overlooking anything."