A 35 page case file from the Missouri Department of Social Services obtained by KSPR shows two State Abuse Hotline calls were made on behalf of Rowan Ford over the past 7 years. An investigation by the state scored her risk of neglect moderate and her risk of abuse low.

Ford was found dead November 9 in a small sinkhole in McDonald County after being missing for 6 days. The suspects in her rape and murder, David Spears and Christopher Collings, were charged last week with first degree murder, forcible rape, and statutory rape.

The first hotline call was made in March of 2000; the second call in January of 2006. Investigators were sent to the home after both calls, but the file shows they had no reason to suspect abuse and no cases were formally opened.

Both calls stemmed from what one hotline caller called "chronic lice" and hygiene issues.

The first call occured when Rowan was living with her mother Colleen and a male in the house identified as Adam Chichanowski. The investigator of the first call stated that there were "no observed indicators of family violence. Colleen states she was previously involved in several abusive relatiosnhips."

At the time of the second report Rowen was living with her mother and step-father David Spears.

"Rowan has had chronic lice. She was sent home today due to head lice. Last five absences was due to head lice. It is a monthly problem, parents do treat the problem. Reporters think that the parents are not cleaning the environment," the second report reads.

A case investigator visited Rowan's school and spoke with Triway Elementary's school nurse. The nurse indicated that Rowan was sent home at least every month with lice problems and contact had been made with Rowan's parents to correct the problem.

At one point Rowan was asked several questions. The investigator wrote: "Ms. Ford came and sat down. I observed her to be quite (sic) and shy. She explained where she lived in Stella and said her mom has fix her head lice problem. She told me who her mother was and that she worked at Wal-Mart. I asked if she had a sister and she said yes, but she is at home today...I observed this little girl to be dressed appropriately to the weather conditions outside."

In a report summary in 2006, Rowan's neglect risk was scored moderate, her abuse risk was scored low, and her total risk level was scored moderate.

The investigator concluded the "family was bonded to each other" and said there was good communication among family members. The case worker from the 2006 visit no longer works at DSS.