Madison County resident warns that open‑records release could expose victims' information

Kaylin Gilbert, a Madison County resident and mother of a minor abuse victim, told the Board of Supervisors she is worried a recent public‑records request may have exposed sensitive information. "Their privacy and safety should come 1st," Gilbert said during the meeting's public‑comment period, urging the board to ensure victim information is not collateral damage in disputes between offices.

Gilbert said the person who requested the emails is related to the defendant in her daughter's case and that the defendant's attorney represents a member of the board; she did not assert that her daughter's name was released but asked the board to confirm whether any communications about her daughter, other children, or family were included. The Chair and the county auditor said later in the meeting that they had reviewed the request and, to their knowledge, no victim information or criminal‑matter communications were released.

The exchange prompted supervisors to discuss additions to the county's open‑records process that would exclude certain domains (including law‑firm addresses) and set clearer review steps before third‑party vendors supply bulk records to requesters. Board members also asked staff to ensure the county's retention and redaction practices guard against inadvertent disclosure of confidential or privileged material.