Murder of counselor raises questions

LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) - The murder of a Lockport group home counselor is raising questions about how the state supervises troubled youth.

The family of Renee Greco says she did everything she could to help wayward teens, but her dedication did not come without fear.

Police believe Greco's life was cut short by two troubled youths, Anthony Allen and Robert Thousand. She was killed in a Lockport group home on Monday night.

Erie County Social Services Commissioner Michael Weiner said, "Each kid goes through a thorough assessment. They are then classified behaviorally from like a scale of 1 to 12, with one being the highest most intensive behavior need, requiring the highest staff to resident coverage."

Weiner notes there are close to 100 group homes meeting various needs in Erie County.

However, the Lockport murder is raising questions about staffing, Greco was the only staff member on duty Monday night at the home, as well as questions about the screening process for youth.

Weiner said, "We don't know if these were classified as high needs high risk kids with behavior management problems requiring a higher level of supervising. That's something that you'll find out over time as the investigation unfolds."

Patrick Dexter chairs the Social Work Department at Buffalo State College.

Dexter said, "This was very unusual. I was surprised as anyone else."

Dexter tells News 4 meeting the challenges posed by troubled youth haven't changed over the years, "We frequently talked about how children are becoming more disturbed.

And that still seems to be frequently talked about. They clearly would not be placing a child capable of this type of violence in a community group home."

Right now, the State Office of Child and Family Services is investigating the matter.

Greco's stepfather tells News 4 Renee feared some of the youth were violent.

Meanwhile, experts say while tragic, this type of group home violence is rare.