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Red Flags Missed In Florida Toddler's Death

FORT MYERS (CBSMiami/AP) — Child abuse caseworkers failed to take action on a number of "red flags" that might have prevented the death of a 3-year old Southwest Florida boy Saturday.

An 11-page review, obtained by our news partner The Miami Herald on Monday, concluded that caseworkers should have done more to prevent 3-year old Michael McMullen's death.

The state review found the child was wrapped so tightly in a strait jacket-like blanket he stopped breathing.

Police say the boy was restrained to death by his mother, her boyfriend, and the boy's grandmother. All three have been charged with murder.

Department of Children & Families Secretary Esther Jacobo called the child's death a "horrific murder." Jacobo said there should have been more visits to the toddler's home, and case workers should have considered asking the judge who oversaw the family to remove the four children.

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed material for this report.)

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