DC welfare agency questioned about adoptions after deaths

WASHINGTON — A Maryland woman suspected of killing and freezing her two daughters was convicted of a misdemeanor and had past financial problems, but was still able to adopt the girls and collect a monthly stipend for their care even after their deaths, officials said.

The disturbing case has advocates questioning how the District of Columbia's troubled social services agency evaluates potential adoptive and foster parents.

Renee Bowman told investigators the frozen child-sized remains police found in her basement freezer over the weekend were those of her two daughters — age 9 and 11 — both adopted from D.C. Bowman, 43,...