A mother from Barre, Vermont who lost custody of her daughter killed the child-welfare agency worker responsible for her case by shooting her with a high-caliber hunting rifle, authorities have revealed.
The incident took place on Friday outside a state office building that houses the state's Department for Children and Families (DFC). The victim, Lara Sobel, had been involved with the case of Jody Herring, whose 9-year-old daughter was taken to state care on July 10, according to the Associated Press.
Sobel had just left the DFC building on Friday afternoon when Herring took two shots at close range. Sobel died on the spot, and witnesses who saw the incident tacked Herring to the ground, Barre police Chief Tim Bombardier said.
Sobel had worked for the agency for more than 15 years. She was married, had a daughter, and, as a state social worker, made a little more than $50,000 in 2012, USA Today reported.
A special legislative committee was established to examine the child welfare system in the state of Vermont after last year's deaths of two toddlers, 2-year-old Dezirae Sheldon of Poultney and 15-month-old Peighton Geraw of Winooski.
Sheldon's stepfather and Geraw's mother are currently facing murder charges, and both have pleaded not guilty to the crimes. Lawmakers were able to pass a new child-safety law, wherein ensuring the safety of the children is given top priority over the urgency to reunite them with their families, according to the New York Daily News.
