NEW YORK, NY January 13, 2006 —Officials with the city's Administration for Children's Services admit they failed seven-year-old Nixzmary Brown who was beaten to death while an allegation of abuse was being investigated by caseworkers.

REPORTER: Commissioner John Mattingly says the girl's family turned them away at the door and that caseworkers should have gotten a search warrant.

In December, ACS interviewed Nixmary's step-father, Cesar Rodriguez, after the girl showed up to school with a cut eye. He told caseworkers the child had fallen and that he had taken her to a nearby emergency room. The doctor who saw her was contacted and affirmed the step-fathers story.

Caseworkers continued to try to meet with the family for the rest of the month but say Rodriguez blocked them from visiting. The family's phone was also cut off. Caseworkers then discussed getting a warrant to enter the home but decided it wasn't an emergency. Mattingly called that bad judgement and a missed opportunity.

Nixzmary died after a blow to the head caused her brain to hemorrhage. Her parents have pleaded not guilty to charges that include murder,manslaughter and sexual abuse.