Did Utah police adequately warn state authorities that Josh Powell’s children were in danger?

Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, wants to know what information police in West Valley City, Utah provided to Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services.

Roach has submitted a request for that communication under public disclosure laws.

“I think we need to know what was sent from the state of Utah to Washington state and we will determine by the content whether or not there was a warning that was disregarded,” Roach said.

The West Valley City Police Department, in a press release dated February 1, 2012 indicated they had sent a warning to Washington regarding the placement of Charles and Braden Powell. Feb. 1 also was the day a judge in Tacoma denied Powell’s latest request for custody of his two children

“It appears DSHS was forewarned about information regarding Joshua Powell and the treatment of his boys,” Roach said.

“DSHS needs to come clean with what they knew. Having information pertinent to the welfare of the Powell children, and not acting on it, may have actually contributed to their deaths,” said Roach.

Recent news reports from Utah indicate the investigation into Susan Cox Powell’s disappearance in 2009 has been conducted as a homicide investigation for at least six months. During that investigation correlated information unrelated to the death of Susan Powell, but concerning Joshua Powell and the children was discovered.