The state Department of Health and Human Services hopes a new policy will prevent more cases like that of 12-year-old Michael Belitz.

The Omaha boy's mother called DHHS at least twice in the weeks before Belitz was found dead in a bathtub at his mother's house in July, with his wrists and legs bound with duct tape. The mother, Angela Manns, has since been charged with murder.

DHHS caseworkers tried twice to return Manns' calls and left one message but took no further action.

Late Friday, DHHS announced changes to its process of dealing with calls about a child's safety.

"Our review showed we could do a better job of getting some kinds of information to the child abuse and neglect hotline," said DHHS CEO Kerry Winterer in a press release.

Under the new policy, which went into effect Friday, DHHS caseworkers will automatically transfer people with child welfare concerns to the child abuse and neglect hotline, spokeswoman Kathie Osterman said Saturday.

If a caseworker receives a written or voice mail message stating concern, the information will be documented on an electronic alert and go directly to hotline staff.

The first time Manns called she left a telephone message with DHHS. When her call was returned, she didn't answer and had no voice mail option.

About a week later, Manns left a second voice mail with the department, Osterman said. The person who returned the call left the hotline number on her answering machine, but Manns never called it.

"Instead of trying to get ahold of the mother to leave a message ... the original message would have been forwarded over to the hotline," Osterman said.

Reach Zach Pluhacek at 473-7234 or zpluhacek@journalstar.com.