Appeals court orders abuse records released

FRANKFORT, Ky. - FThe Kentucky Court of Appeals denied a state cabinet's request to prevent the release of hundreds of case files of children who died or nearly died as a result of abuse and neglect.

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services had asked for a stay pending an appeal over the release.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports the court ruled 2-1 Monday to deny the motion, meaning the cabinet must follow an order issued in February by Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd. Shepherd ruled that the cabinet had 90 days to provide the Herald-Leader and The Courier-Journal of Louisville with the files.

A lawyer for The Courier-Journal, Jon Fleischaker, says the order acknowledges the case's strength.

Cabinet spokeswoman Jill Midkiff says the cabinet is reviewing the ruling.