Sheldon Bartley was found unresponsive in a motel room with his mother.

Indianapolis - Recent child deaths are prompting a call for an independent investigator or ombudsman to handle conflicts involving the Indiana Department of Child Services.

The advocacy group Honk for Kids says the deaths of four Indianapolis children - three of whom were subjects of DCS cases - underline the need for an independent review.

Nina Williams-Mbengue of the National Conference of State Legislatures says an ombudsman can examine agency records, interview workers and review other circumstances of cases.

More than 30 states have an ombudsman who can investigate child protection agency complaints or conduct an independent investigation when a child dies.

DCS spokeswoman Susan Tielking said she did not see the need for an outside review of citizen complaints.

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