The state had closed its most recent abuse investigation involving the boys without ever seeing the children to make a final determination concerning their well-being.

Also under investigation: why did child protective workers close an abuse investigation last February without visiting the children?

However, social workers may be called upon to give evidence in a criminal court about matters emerging from their involvement with parents during an abuse investigation.

The law mandates children with suspicious injuries during the course of an abuse investigation receive medical treatment within 48 hours.

The caseworkers involved in abuse investigations fell to 712 earlier this year, compared with 1,080 in 1990.

City officials have yet to prove that their efforts have actually improved abuse investigations.

The case came to symbolize the hazards in abuse investigations.

One worker said supervisors had ordered her to put off abuse investigations for longer than the 24 hours mandated in state law.

A caseworker with nine years' experience handled the initial abuse investigation.

All three were sexual abuse investigations and resulted in Place of Safety orders being obtained.