Mass. Lawmakers Seek Probe In Missing Boy Case

The state Department of Children & Families could be coming under legislative scrutiny in the case of Jeremiah Oliver, the 5-year-old Fitchburg boy who has been missing for months and is feared dead.

Democratic House Speaker Robert DeLeo says he's asked the chairs of two legislative committees to look into the agency's handling of the case.

Republicans in the state Senate, meanwhile, say they plan to formally call for an independent investigation of the agency on Friday. Sen. Don Humason of Westfield says he wants to know if the Fitchburg case was isolated or signals a more systemic problem.

A state caseworker and a supervisor assigned to the boy and his family were fired.

DeLeo added that he believes lawmakers have given the agency sufficient funding to operate effectively.