Indiana child welfare head's ethics questioned

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A published report says the director of the Indiana Department of Child Services likely violated his agency's code of conduct with his involvement in a child neglect case involving his own grandchildren.

The Indianapolis Star on Sunday reported Director James Payne waged a behind-the-scenes fight to discredit and derail his agency's recommendations in the case. It says the agency's code of conduct forbids agency staff from personal and private interests such as a case involving relatives.

Payne in an email to the Star stressed that his only role in the case was "as a grandparent, father and husband," and not in a professional capacity.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg says Gov. Mitch Daniels should request Payne's resignation. A spokeswoman for Daniels has no immediate comment on Gregg's request.