DSHS records show complaints involving Harrison family

A father who is believed to have killed his five children before committing suicide this weekend was found to have physically abused one of his children in 2007, according to Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) records. In addition, the family was the subject of four other complaints alleging child abuse or neglect between 2001 and 2007.

On Sunday, state officials confirmed that James Harrison was found to have slapped one of his children in February 2007. The incident did not require that children be removed from the family's home in a mobile-home park near Graham in Pierce County, said Sherry Hill, a spokeswoman for Children's Administration in DSHS.

On Monday, Nancy Sutton, regional administrator for the Pierce County area, revealed there were four prior complaints involving the Harrison family.

All five children were found to shot to death in their home, and Harrison's body was found along inside his SUV Saturday morning. The children were Maxine, 16; Jamie, 14; Samantha, 12; Heather, 8; and James, 7.

One complaint, alleging neglect, was "founded," she said. A third was deemed "unfounded." Two other complaints did not rise to the level of abuse or neglect but indicated the family needed some help, so they were referred to community providers. Sutton would not say what those complaints were, but she said complaints in this category are low-level. One example, she said, would be head lice.

All five complaints were made by mandatory reporters, Sutton said. Mandatory reporters are people such as nurses or teachers who, by virtue of their job, are required by law to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

DSHS is conducting a full review of records and cooperating with law-enforcement officials, Hill said.

Staff reporter Michael J. Berens contributed to this report. Maureen O'Hagan: 206-464-2562 or mohagan@seattletimes.com