Members of a city committee tried to question fire and police commissioners and the medical examiner during a hearing, but their attorney frequently instructed them not to answer.
The officials said they only could speak generally about their departments' policies and nothing specifically related to the case of Delimar Vera, who was kidnapped as a newborn from her crib in Philadelphia and her house set ablaze to cover the crime. No body was found, and the fire was ruled an accident.
In declining to answer questions, officials cited pending investigations by the district attorney's office and the fire department, as well as the threat of lawsuits by Delimar's parents.
Delimar, now 6, was reunited with her parents after her mother recognized her at a birthday party in January. Carolyn Correa, a cousin by marriage of Delimar's father, is awaiting trial for kidnapping and arson.
City officials refused to answer questions even indirectly related to the case _ including whether a human body can be fully consumed by flames, as investigators mistakenly concluded in Delimar's case, or whether death certificates can be issued after fires in which no remains are found.
City Councilman Juan F. Ramos said he called the hearing ``to ensure that important services are being provided to all our citizens in a fair, equal and effective way.''
But Councilman David Cohen asked to be excused shortly after the hearing began, saying he saw no purpose for it.
``I find it difficult ... to participate in a proceeding in which there are these kinds of limitations,'' he said.
