Multiple residents on July 23 asked Butte-Silver Bow commissioners to request investigations by the Montana Attorney General's Office and the U.S. Department of Justice into the July 29, 2024 removal of three minors from a foster home.

Tracy Morin addressed commissioners: "We are only asking you to make a formal request to the Department of Justice to investigate what the Silver Bow County employees have done." Morin alleged that county employees used excessive force, violated constitutional rights and acted at the direction of an outside government; she asked the council to make formal referrals to state and federal authorities.

Other speakers, including Hannah Morin Ferguson, Nathaniel Morin Ferguson, Tina Moore, Selena Jono and Roy Robert Jono, reiterated the call for independent investigations and said they had been denied access to the children and to records. Tina Moore told the council she had a Salish Kootenai tribal court order stating the children "are to remain with us until a permanent hearing be held on 08/14/2024," and asked the council to seek investigative oversight.

County Attorney Andrew Enruth responded that his office has opened an investigation into the events of that day and said he has been in contact with tribal counsel. "I can confer to the council right now that the girls are not being human trafficked and that they are doing well," Enruth said. Enruth also explained that Criminal Justice Information (CCJI) is confidential and that requesters must obtain a court order to receive certain records.

Why it matters: residents alleged serious constitutional violations and asked the county's legislative body to request external investigations by the Montana Attorney General's Office and the U.S. Department of Justice. Those requests, if made, could prompt independent reviews of county law enforcement or legal-office conduct. The council did not vote to make such referrals on July 23.

Procedural outcome: the Committee of the Whole heard multiple public comments but took no formal vote to request state or federal investigations. County Attorney Enruth said an investigation by his office is pending, and he advised that records protected as CCJI require a court order for release. Public commenters repeatedly asserted that they had been denied access to the children, therapists and records.

Context provided by speakers: several speakers requested a copy of the police report from the July 29, 2024 incident and said they had been denied that documentation. One speaker recommended formal referrals to the Montana Attorney General under MCA 2-15-501 and to the Department of Justice under federal civil-rights statutes; the county attorney did not endorse those specific referral requests during the meeting.

Next steps: the council did not take action on the referrals requested by residents during the July 23 meeting. County Attorney Enruth said his office's investigation is ongoing; residents have the option to seek records or remedies through court processes or to press the Montana AG and federal agencies directly.