GRANBY, OSWEGO CO. -- Granby Town Supervisor Ed Williamson says there are too many unanswered questions surrounding the death of Erin Maxwell.
Williamson has written a letter to State Department of Education Commissioner David Steiner demanding specific information under the Freedom of Information Law. Williamson is looking into how the Phoenix School District responded to evidence that Erin Maxwell was being abused and living in a house of filth with her parents Lynn and Lindsey Maxwell and stepbrother Alan Jones.
Williamson is basing his request on the child fatality report that was released in February 2009 by the State Office of Children and Family Services. That report found that some teachers and administrators were aware of Maxwell’s squalid living conditions. Williamson wants to know if the personnel followed proper procedures in reporting suspected abuse and neglect.
CNY Central has contacted the office of Phoenix School Superintendent Rita Racette. Her secretary said that she is involved in meetings through the day and has not had a chance to see the letter and properly respond.
Jones was convicted in September 2009 of second degree murder for Erin Maxwell’s death and is currently serving a 25 year to life sentence. Lynn and Lindsey Maxwell were convicted of endangering the welfare of a child in August 2009 and sentenced to two years in jail.
Part of the Phoenix School District is in the Town of Granby. Williamson has been involved in a similar incident as town supervisor, forcing the Department of Social Services to remove children from similar conditions on Stoney Robbey Road last year, after Erin Maxwell's August 2008 death.
