Caseworker Admits To Data Tampering After Boy's Death

ANDERSON, Ind. -- A former social worker faces a suspended prison sentence for altering computer data relating to the case of a disabled Elwood boy who died in a neglect case.

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Prosecutor: Man's Behavior Was 'Egregious'

In a deal with prosecutors, David Michael Warrum pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of computer tampering in connection with the 2003 death of Mark A. Norris II, RTV6's Jack Rinehart reported Monday. The deal calls for him to receive a suspended one-year prison sentence and a year of probation.

Warrum, as a case manager with Madison County Division of Family and Children, was assigned to the 8-year-old Norris, who had cerebral palsy and was a ward of the state.

Norris (pictured, left) was found dead in January 2003 after what authorities said was a suspicious fire at his Elwood home. An autopsy revealed that the wheelchair-bound boy had died of pneumonia a day before the fire, and tests found evidence that he was malnourished, authorities said.

Authorities said Warrum should have known that the boy was in bad shape and could have prevented his death. They also alleged Warrum, upon learning of the death, changed computerized case records to cover a lack of work in the case.

In the plea deal, prosecutors dropped a felony neglect charge and changed the computer tampering charge from a felony to a misdemeanor.

"I felt myself in a fine line between trying to make a statement -- holding caseworkers accountable -- and not making them fearful that any mistake they (make) is going to send them to prison," Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings said.

The boy's mother, Jennifer Norris, pleaded guilty to neglect this year and was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Warrum was fired from his job after the boy died.