Data failed to show prior abuse claims

Thursday, March 13, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

The licensee, Alica Wegner, has been charged with murder in the death of 14-month-old Kierra Harrison. The child died March 5 of head injuries that police say happened while in Wegner's care.

Records show that Wegner's aunt and her therapist filed complaints against the woman, raising concerns that she had beaten her 3-year-old daughter.

Child welfare investigators determined in December 1994 that the complaints could not be substantiated.

But the complaints did not surface when she applied for a child care license because her name was spelled "Wagner".

Wegner was granted a child care license Jan. 21, just weeks before Kierra died from a skull fracture.

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