“Mendocino County Sheriff-Coroner Thomas Allman said that greater federal oversight is required, calling it an “enlightening moment” for lawmakers, noting that five states were involved in the adoptions of the Harts’ children, as well as the allegations of abuse against them. “Where are the systematic failures that possibly could have prevented this?” Allman said. “We do not have a national database for child abuse allegations.”

Lesbian mothers killed their six children in murder-suicide after driving off cliff, coroner rules