Legally Kidnapped: September 2016

Friday, September 30, 2016

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt get joint physical custody of their six kids in temporary deal

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have struck a temporary custody deal that includes drug testing for the "Fight Club" actor and an initial supervised visit with his kids.

More >> Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt get joint physical custody of their six kids in temporary deal

Foster Parent, Former Teacher on Trial for Child Abuse

A former teacher and foster parent is on trial for abuse that allegedly happened more than two years ago. Nicole Gomez-Vilchis, 29, is accused of abusing a 15-month-old girl in 2014. The child and her brother were placed in foster care with Gomez-Vilchis and her husband Hugo in 2013 when the children were removed from their parents' home due to drug use, the Macomb Daily reports.

More >> Foster Parent, Former Teacher on Trial for Child Abuse

Foster care concerns raised

Another audit has raised more concerns about the state’s foster care system. And though the Kansas Department for Children and Families appears to be addressing some of the shortcomings, state lawmakers need to continue to press for improvement and hold the agency accountable.

More >> Foster care concerns raised

Gagging Kentucky’s social workers won’t save its children

Governors come, governors go, but the secrecy and stonewalling around Kentucky’s beleaguered child-protection bureaucracy is forever.

More >> Gagging Kentucky’s social workers won’t save its children

ACS ignored DOI's recommendation to fix 'serious problems' like Zymere Perkins’ case from reoccurring at troubled city agency

ACS should have cleaned up its act months ago — but failed to do so under a mountain of excuses.

More >> ACS ignored DOI's recommendation to fix 'serious problems' like Zymere Perkins’ case from reoccurring at troubled city agency

Drugging Our Kids: Governor signs bills to curb psych drugs prescribed to California foster youth

Capping years of efforts to stop California’s foster care system from overmedicating the state’s most vulnerable children, Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday signed a controversial bill that for the first time puts doctors who recklessly prescribe psychiatric drugs at risk of losing their medical license.

More >> Drugging Our Kids: Governor signs bills to curb psych drugs prescribed to California foster youth

Brown signs two more laws to curb overuse of meds on foster youth

Man who threatened to blow up courthouse, kill judge appears in court

The man arrested for threatening to blow up the Oakland County Courthouse and killed a judge, all over a custody dispute, was in court for the first time on Thursday.

More >> Man who threatened to blow up courthouse, kill judge appears in court

Foster parents lose emergency motion in Supreme Court to keep Metis toddler

The last time a pair of British Columbia foster parents saw the Metis toddler they have raised almost since birth, the little girl was being carried away in the arms of her new adoptive parents.

More >> Foster parents lose emergency motion in Supreme Court to keep Metis toddler

DCF Moves Closer To Shedding Federal Oversight

A quarter-century of federal oversight of the Department of Children and Families could end in a few years if the agency meets the terms of a new agreement with lawyers in a landmark child-neglect case from 1989.

More >> DCF Moves Closer To Shedding Federal Oversight

Malloy: New plan will end DCF court oversight

Thursday, September 29, 2016

African-Canadians unfairly treated by Ontario's child-welfare system: report

Ontario’s African-Canadian community has come up with a list of recommendations to improve a child-welfare system they say is systematically racist, lacks compassion and does not take into account African-Canadian culture and parenting styles.

More >> African-Canadians unfairly treated by Ontario's child-welfare system: report

After Winning Job Back, DCF Youth Worker Waits To Learn Fate

At the Connecticut Juvenile Training School, where the tension is palpable, Re'Sean DuPree was known as a go-to guy among his fellow youth services officers, the men and women who watch over the young offenders during their every waking moment inside the sprawling detention center.

More >> After Winning Job Back, DCF Youth Worker Waits To Learn Fate

Métis foster parents lose court fight to keep toddler, vow to keep fighting

Métis foster parents fighting to keep a nearly three-year-old Métis child they've raised since birth have lost what could be their final battle in B.C. Supreme Court, CBC News has learned.

More >> Métis foster parents lose court fight to keep toddler, vow to keep fighting

Rise in English foster care for refugee children prompts call for govt action

The number of lone refugee children in English foster homes rose by 50 percent in the past year, data showed on Thursday, prompting the U.N. children's agency to urge the UK to do more to help "unprecedented" numbers of children fleeing conflict.

More >> Rise in English foster care for refugee children prompts call for govt action

Half a million U.S.-born kids live in Mexico with deported parents, trying to assimilate

In the last seven years, approximately 4.2 million Mexicans have returned to their home country from the U.S. with an order of deportation, according to the Department of National Security.

More >> Half a million U.S.-born kids live in Mexico with deported parents, trying to assimilate

Yale study finds implicit racial bias in preschool teachers

Suspensions and expulsions at American preschools are doled out disproportionately to black students, boys, and especially black boys – a phenomenon that could be due, in part, to implicit racial biases on the part of their teachers, according to a Yale University study released this week.

More >> Yale study finds implicit racial bias in preschool teachers

The day I age out of foster care

A three-part series profiling the journeys of Mykell and Corey as they “age out” of Washington State’s extended foster-care system.

More >> The day I age out of foster care

Norfolk county council criticised for treatment of foster carers

Norfolk County Council has been criticised for the way it treated foster carers and some of the children they were looking after.

More >> Norfolk county council criticised for treatment of foster carers

Average ACS worker investigates more cases now than in 2012, despite Mayor de Blasio's promise to increase staff

As the city scrambles to explain the series of events that led to the death of 6-year-old Zymere Perkins, records show child protective workers’ caseloads are on the rise.

More >> Average ACS worker investigates more cases now than in 2012, despite Mayor de Blasio's promise to increase staff

Child abuse inquiry in turmoil after lawyer suspended

The national inquiry into child abuse has descended into disarray after its most senior lawyer was suspended from duty.

More >> Child abuse inquiry in turmoil after lawyer suspended

Suspension of child abuse inquiry lawyer a 'devastating blow'

Sixties Scoop survivors say birth records 'mysteriously' lost or destroyed

When Lori Ann O'Cheek went to search for her birth records, she was told her files burned in a fire. When Carla Williams asked a different agency for her birth records, she too was told they burned in a fire. Likewise Trevor Bass. Likewise Jessica Sear.

More >> Sixties Scoop survivors say birth records 'mysteriously' lost or destroyed

Reconnecting with family after ‘Sixties Scoop’

Even though he was only four years old at the time, Gordon August can clearly remember the day he was taken from his family at Sechelt Nation.

More >> Reconnecting with family after ‘Sixties Scoop’

The Sixties Scoop

Lawyers Representing Oregon Foster Children Sue DHS

Attorneys who represent two Oregon foster children are suing the Department of Human Services. The lawyers say DHS violates state and federal law by housing some children in hotels and offices.

More >> Lawyers Representing Oregon Foster Children Sue DHS

Norway: “Child welfare” agency destroys thousands of families every year…

While it is still available online, you should not miss out on this report by the German/French TV chain ArteTV on Norway’s controversial “Barnevernet“, a government agency that every year destroys thousands of families, taking children away from their parents on the basis of the flimsiest accusations.

More >> Norway: “Child welfare” agency destroys thousands of families every year…

Man charged for alleged false child abuse hotline report

A Lake Luzerne man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly making a false child abuse hotline report about a person with whom he had an online argument, police said.

More >> Man charged for alleged false child abuse hotline report

Cops: Luzerne Man Made False Child Abuse Complaint

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

EXCLUSIVE: Man threatened to blow up Oakland County Courthouse and later kill judge

An Oakland County man has been arrested on terrorism charges, after making threats to blow up the Oakland County courthouse and assassinate circuit court judge Lisa Gorcyca, the 7 Action News Investigators learned exclusively.

More >> EXCLUSIVE: Man threatened to blow up Oakland County Courthouse and later kill judge

Foster care is not good for children

Last week the Department for Children and Families dealt with the controversy of a negative audit of the foster care services provided through the state. The report, released by the Legislature’s post-audit team, found many areas of concern regarding the safety of children in foster care in Kansas.

More >> Foster care is not good for children

Federal judge OKs improvement plan for Illinois child agency

A federal judge has approved an improvement plan for Illinois' child welfare agency that includes reforms for helping children with psychological, emotional and behavioral problems.

More >> Federal judge OKs improvement plan for Illinois child agency

CUPE says Peel children’s aid has no interest in ending strike prolonged with high-paid scabs

The union representing hundreds of children’s aid workers in Peel is accusing the local agency of trying to prolong the current strike by offering “strikebreakers” lucrative compensation and making no effort to rekindle contract talks.

More >> CUPE says Peel children’s aid has no interest in ending strike prolonged with high-paid scabs

Striking Peel CAS workers pen open letter to employer: For clients' sake, it's time to pick up the phone and get back to the bargaining table

Foster father granted bond in death of little Laila

A Henry County man charged with beating and killing a 2-year-old foster child in his care was granted bond Wednesday, angering the girl’s family who wanted him to remain in jail.

More >> Foster father granted bond in death of little Laila

Whistleblower in South East foster home abuse case to sue HSE.

A whistleblower in the Grace foster home abuse case in the South East has initiated High Court proceedings against the HSE.The Irish Independent reports that the case is being taken by a social worker, one of three people who made protected disclosures raising serious questions about the care of a young intellectually disabled woman.The woman, known as Grace, was left in a foster home in the South East for 17 years after health officials were first informed of allegations of physical and sexual abuse there.The proceedings are the second legal action against the HSE in connection with the Grace case.

More >> Whistleblower in South East foster home abuse case to sue HSE.

Inside Angelina Jolie's Plot to 'Destroy' Brad Pitt in Divorce, Custody Battle

In the 72 hours after Brad Pitt’s wife of two years, Angelina Jolie, blindsided him by filing for divorce September 19, newspapers and gossip blogs rushed to paint him as an angry, unfaithful villain. The person allegedly behind the reports: his wife. People in Jolie's inner circle “are running a smear campaign,” a source claims in the new issue of Us Weekly. The insider adds that the negative press reports are an attempt to discredit the 52-year-old War Machine star. Find out more in the video above, and read the details below.

More >> Inside Angelina Jolie's Plot to 'Destroy' Brad Pitt in Divorce, Custody Battle

Indigenous children for sale: The money behind the Sixties Scoop

Marlene Orgeron recalls the day her adoptive Louisiana parents told her they bought her for $30,000. Her brothers, they told Marlene, were "freebies."

More >> Indigenous children for sale: The money behind the Sixties Scoop

Mother has 20-year struggle with Children's Aid Society

Lucy* was only nine years old when she was first raped by her father and her uncle. It was an abuse she endured for years before her mother finally intervened – a intervention that likely was only sparked because she delivered a child.

More >> Mother has 20-year struggle with Children's Aid Society

A toddler was abused since birth, and officials ignored it, a lawsuit claims. Now she is dead.

When 2-year-old Glenara Bates died, she was 13 pounds - a weight more typical for a 3-month-old.

The day she was killed, prosecutors say her father swung her and slammed her against a door. She cried . . . and then silence.

More >> A toddler was abused since birth, and officials ignored it, a lawsuit claims. Now she is dead.

Tiahleigh's foster brother still legally able to work with children

Just a week after charges were laid against the foster family of murdered Queensland schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer, it’s been revealed one member of the accused Thorburn family still holds a blue card to work with children.

More >> Tiahleigh's foster brother still legally able to work with children

'60s Scoop lawsuit languishing

It has been eight years since Sam McGillivary sued the province of Manitoba for grabbing him in the infamous ’60s Scoop.

More >> '60s Scoop lawsuit languishing

More concerns about foster care

DHS sued to block placement of children in hotels, offices

A federal lawsuit filed Tuesday to stop the Oregon Department of Human Services from placing foster children temporarily in hotels and offices alleges the practice inflicts emotional trauma on kids and violates their civil rights.

More >> DHS sued to block placement of children in hotels, offices

Adoption system in Ontario riddled with red tape, needs overhaul: Children's advocate

The process of adopting a child in Ontario is so lengthy and convoluted that many hopeful parents are instead adopting abroad, depriving scores of children from experiencing the joys of a happy family life.

More >> Adoption system in Ontario riddled with red tape, needs overhaul: Children's advocate

Note: That and the fact that by the time they're adoptable, the're all messed up.

Washington County man gets 14 months in foster-child abuse case

A Washington County man whose attempted suicide last year led him to being charged with molesting a teenage foster child entered an Alford plea Tuesday in Washington County Circuit Court to sexual solicitation of a minor.

More >> Washington County man gets 14 months in foster-child abuse case

New SCDSS Foster Home Program Is A Disaster

By now, it should be abundantly clear to anyone paying attention that South Carolina governor Nikki Haley‘s welfare agency – the S.C. Department of Social Services (SCDSS) – needs to start over.

More >> New SCDSS Foster Home Program Is A Disaster

Irish Travelers continue to fight to get girls back

The Irish travelers were in court again on Tuesday to try to get their children out of state custody. The families say a judge refused to move four kids from DSS's custody to temporary custody of a family friend.

More >> Irish Travelers continue to fight to get girls back

A new court: From rebellion and substance abuse to family reunification

On Tuesday, a new branch of a Caddo Parish family preservation court met for the second time.

More >> A new court: From rebellion and substance abuse to family reunification

Children’s Aid Society employees on strike for safer work conditions

Workers with the Children’s Aid Society of the Region of Peel (CAS), the agency for child services for the Peel Region near Toronto, are striking to get better work conditions — including improved safety.

More >> Children’s Aid Society employees on strike for safer work conditions

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Plan to tackle crisis for Aboriginal kids

A crisis in which one in 10 Aboriginal children in Perth is placed in state care will be addressed by a series of reforms to be announced today.

More >> Plan to tackle crisis for Aboriginal kids

Child safety service not told Tiahleigh Palmer's foster father was 'person of interest' for months

Tiahleigh Palmer’s foster father and accused killer Rick Thorburn was permitted to run a daycare business for five months after the schoolgirl’s death despite being a person of interest in the investigation, it has been revealed.

More >> Child safety service not told Tiahleigh Palmer's foster father was 'person of interest' for months

Tiahleigh Palmer's foster father 'under police investigation for her murder from day one' - but was allowed to run a daycare centre for five months

Class action suit aims to keep DHS from housing foster kids in hotels, offices

Lawyers representing Oregon foster children have filed a class action lawsuit in federal court asking a judge to end the Oregon Department of Human Services' practice of housing foster children in hotels and state offices.

More >> Class action suit aims to keep DHS from housing foster kids in hotels, offices

Advocates for Foster Children File Federal Class Action Lawsuit Against Oregon Department of Human Services

Shocking Neglect Alleged in Foster Program

In a lawsuit against Oregon, a little girl's guardian claims the Department of Human Services certified a man as a foster father and placed her with him even though he told DHS that he was "a sex addict" with "obsessions and compulsions with pornography and strip clubs."

More >> Shocking Neglect Alleged in Foster Program

DCS worker charged with false statements

A Department of Children’s Services employee is charged with making false statements in an abuse case that resulted in children being removed from a home.

More >> DCS worker charged with false statements

Children removed from families are at highest risk to suicide

Individuals who as children were removed from their biological families are the nation’s highest risk group to suicide. They are four times at risk than the nation’s highest population risk group to suicide; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of the Kimberley which is the world’s second highest population risk group to suicide – behind Greenland’s Inuit peoples.

More >> Children removed from families are at highest risk to suicide

Child welfare commission reports progress fixing ‘broken’ system

A blue-ribbon commission created to oversee reform of Clark County’s “broken” child welfare system reported Monday that the agencies that work to keep kids safe have made progress, implementing training for various players and streamlining and clarifying court procedures.

Among the major milestones reported by the Blue Ribbon for Kids Commission: a new waiver program allowing money allotted for safety services in foster homes to be used for safety services at family homes in some circumstances. That change alone has allowed nearly 400 kids to stay out of foster homes since July 2015, said welfare experts discussing a nearly 50-page progress report Monday.

More >> Child welfare commission reports progress fixing ‘broken’ system

Shutting Down All Orphanages is a Risky Act that Could Leave Thousands of Children in Danger

Last month, J.K. Rowling sent sent out a series of tweets denouncing the practice of volountourism in orphanages, and the support of orphanages in general. It is risky to make broad statements against orphanages, hereafter referred to as children’s centers, that often serve as community hubs where vulnerable children can seek refuge. The reasoning why children’s centers may be necessary cannot be looked at in either black or white, because there are many bad ones out there, we need to eliminate all of them. Wouldn’t it be easy if things worked that way? I believe certain children’s centers have their place in society when they offer protection, shelter, and care to vulnerable children who would otherwise end up on the street, at risk of being trafficked, continue to be abused in all forms, or remain outcast from their communities. By our definition, ‘vulnerable children’ refers to any child that has or is at risk of suffering abuse, being trafficked, abandoned or otherwise in imminent danger due to lack of parental care.

More >> Shutting Down All Orphanages is a Risky Act that Could Leave Thousands of Children in Danger

Relatives blame social workers over death of Kyle Birchall

RELATIVES have blamed social workers for the death of a 17-year-old who was moved 100 miles to live with the neighbour of a father he had never met.

More >> Relatives blame social workers over death of Kyle Birchall

Child Abuse Background Checks For School Employees Goes To NJ Senate

Public school teachers, bus drivers and camp counselors in New Jersey would have to undergo a child abuse background check if a measure being considered by the state Senate becomes law.

More >> Child Abuse Background Checks For School Employees Goes To NJ Senate

Note: Always remember, Pedophiles who haven't been caught yet are great at passing Background Checks.

Minister, foster parent sentenced for sexual assault of teen girl

A Suffolk minister who pleaded guilty to 11 sexual assault charges earlier this year will spend 4 1/2 years behind bars. The victim in the case is a 17-year-old girl.

More >> Minister, foster parent sentenced for sexual assault of teen girl

Child care worker arrested on charges of continued sexual abuse of children

A Bexar County man was arrested for continuous sexual assault of children, all while working for a children's care center.

More >> Child care worker arrested on charges of continued sexual abuse of children

Drugging Our Kids: Legislators call on Governor Brown to sign bills to protect foster youth

Foster youth advocates and Bay Area legislators on Monday told a panel of state officials that the alarming conclusions of a recent state audit highlighting California’s weak oversight of psychiatric drugs for foster kids could be solved if Gov. Jerry Brown signs three pieces of key legislation into law this week.

More >> Drugging Our Kids: Legislators call on Governor Brown to sign bills to protect foster youth

Lack of data blamed for over-medicating foster children in Sonoma County

California Foster Youth Score Well Below Peers on Standardized Tests

According to newly available data released last week, California’s foster youth are lagging far behind other public school students when it comes to test scores.

More >> California Foster Youth Score Well Below Peers on Standardized Tests

CHILD CUSTODY AND THE MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER

Armed service members, including unmarried parents and those who have spouses in the military, must prepare a “family care plan” prior to deployment to ensure the welfare of their family members. Failure to have a valid family plan can result in disciplinary action against the soldier and also prevent deployment.

More >> CHILD CUSTODY AND THE MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER

Girl, 14, choked to death on McDonald’s food after her foster carers left it on the floor of their car

A deputy state coroner has decided there will be no inquest into the death of a 14-year-old girl that had choked to death on McDonald's while with her carer.

More >> Girl, 14, choked to death on McDonald’s food after her foster carers left it on the floor of their car

Queensland foster care 'not in crisis' says Minister, Government urged to avoid 'piecemeal' reform

Queensland's Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman says child protection groups do not want her to quit over the foster care implications from the Tiahleigh Palmer murder case, despite the LNP's call for her resignation.

More >> Queensland foster care 'not in crisis' says Minister, Government urged to avoid 'piecemeal' reform

Joseph Rosenbaum awaits bond hearing for death of foster child

Joseph Rosenbaum is in the Henry County Jail awaiting a bond hearing after he was arrested Friday afternoon on new charges related to the death of a foster child in his care.

More >> Joseph Rosenbaum awaits bond hearing for death of foster child

B.C. ministry to expand Metis commission's role amid high-profile toddler case

British Columbia will expand the role of its Metis representative in the child welfare system, amid criticism of the province’s plan to adopt a Metis toddler to non-aboriginal parents in Ontario.

More >> B.C. ministry to expand Metis commission's role amid high-profile toddler case

Bravehearts founder calls for the reintroduction of institutional care in the wake of Tiahleigh Palmer death

A CHILD protection advocate wants the government to look at reintroducing institutional care for children following the death of Logan schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer.

More >> Bravehearts founder calls for the reintroduction of institutional care in the wake of Tiahleigh Palmer death

Drugging Our Kids: Legislators call on Governor Brown to sign bills to protect foster youth

Former Newington couple accused of locking adoptive children in dog crates

A couple, formerly of Newington, is facing several charges after they turned themselves into police Sunday afternoon.

More >> Former Newington couple accused of locking adoptive children in dog crates

Brad Pitt Hoping to See His Kids Soon and Resolve Matters 'Amicably' in Angelina Jolie Divorce

Brad Pitt wishes to resolve his and Angelina Jolie's issues "amicably and privately," a source tells ET.

The 52-year-old actor is also hoping to see the six children he shares with Jolie soon, the source adds. Jolie and the kids are currently living in a rental in Malibu, California, where they've been since news of Jolie and Pitt's split broke last Tuesday.

More >> Brad Pitt Hoping to See His Kids Soon and Resolve Matters 'Amicably' in Angelina Jolie Divorce

Social workers told to limit remarks to media

State officials have warned social service workers they could face disciplinary action "up to and including dismissal" for talking to the news media without permission.

More >> Social workers told to limit remarks to media

Why Do We Punish Parents For Letting Their Kids Go Outside Unattended?

In the U.S., the chance of having your teen or child abducted is vanishingly small, around 0.00007%, or one in 1.4 million annually, according to Daniel Gardner in his book The Science of Fear: How the Culture of Fear Manipulates Your Brain. The most common cause of preventable death for kids is car crashes, so it’s actually far more dangerous to drive your child to and from school (perhaps to prevent them from being kidnapped) than it is to let them walk.

More >> Why Do We Punish Parents For Letting Their Kids Go Outside Unattended?

Monday, September 26, 2016

B.C. Métis leaders at odds over removal of Métis foster child

The Métis toddler at the centre of a custody dispute remains in limbo — somewhere in B.C. — while all sides fight over where she will grow up.

More >> B.C. Métis leaders at odds over removal of Métis foster child

Family learns child OK, but adopted without their knowledge

A Henderson County family is weighing options after learning last week that someone adopted their grandson without their knowledge after his mother died last year, and that a Transylvania County foster-care provider suspected of abusing him avoided prosecution due to a miscommunication between law enforcement agencies.

More >> Family learns child OK, but adopted without their knowledge

Trent Thorburn bashed twice in prison, with inmates cheering his attackers on

TRENT Thorburn has been bashed twice in prison, with inmates shouting “pretty boy” and “kill him” as they cheered his attackers on.

The 19-year-old dancer has been in custody since Tuesday after he was arrested, along with his father, mother and brother, over the death of 12-year-old Tiahleigh Palmer last October.

More >> Trent Thorburn bashed twice in prison, with inmates cheering his attackers on

Australia branded ‘child-stealing capital of the Western world’

Australian children are removed from their families more often than anywhere in the Western world, nearly twice as often as in the US and almost three times the rate in New Zealand, a parliamentary inquiry into child welfare has heard.

More >> Australia branded ‘child-stealing capital of the Western world’

Egypt Requires Breast Exam for Subsidized Formula

Heated debate has broken out in Egypt over a new regulation requiring mothers to undergo a breast examination in order to qualify for subsidized infant formula.

More >> Egypt Requires Breast Exam for Subsidized Formula

Why The Indian Child Welfare Act Is Important

In 1978 Congress passed the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in recognition of, and in an attempt to fix rampant abuse within child protection measures applying to Native American children. ICWA is still in place today, and is an important issue to understand, especially for those living and adopting in areas where placements may involve members of Native American tribes.

More >> Why The Indian Child Welfare Act Is Important

How a Philly cop broke the school-to-prison pipeline

One morning in September 2014, when Jahnira Jones had just started seventh grade at Richard Allen Prep Charter School, her after-school plans weighed on her mind. She was supposed to take SEPTA to meet her mother near City Hall. "I was scared to go downtown," said Jahnira, now 15. It would be her first time taking public transit alone.

More >> How a Philly cop broke the school-to-prison pipeline

CPS Data Show Minority Students More Likely to be Suspended, Expelled

While suspension and expulsion rates across Chicago Public Schools have dropped significantly over the past four years, minority students are still far more likely to receive school punishment than their peers.

More >> CPS Data Show Minority Students More Likely to be Suspended, Expelled

Federal review shows DCF foster care in compliance

The Kansas Department for Children and Families’ foster care system complied with federal standards for protecting children from abuse and neglect, according to a federal review highlighted in a newly released state audit.

But the agency failed to reach substantial compliance on two-thirds of the benchmarks examined, the review found.

More >> Federal review shows DCF foster care in compliance

Nebraska Child Welfare Inspector General Says Caseloads Still Too High

Nebraska’s child welfare caseloads are a primary obstacle to keeping maltreated children safe and delivering quality services, according to the state’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for Nebraska Child Welfare. Responses to child abuse reports are not appropriately coordinated between local law enforcement and child welfare staff with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). No policies exist within the Juvenile Probation Department or DHHS to guide front line child welfare workers on how cases should be handled when children and families are involved in both systems.

More >> Nebraska Child Welfare Inspector General Says Caseloads Still Too High

Record number of Illinois children die while in DCFS care

A record number of youth have been killed while in the care of Illinois’ Department of Children and Family Services, many of them victims of Chicago’s gang violence.

More >> Record number of Illinois children die while in DCFS care

IPS school waited several days to file DCS report about 5-year-old being touched inappropriately

Indianapolis Public Schools says one of their schools waited several days to file a report with the Indiana Department of Child Services after learning of allegations that a five-year-old was inappropriately touched on school grounds.

More >> IPS school waited several days to file DCS report about 5-year-old being touched inappropriately

Foster parents, agency heads urge Senate to act on Family First Prevention Services Act

For decades, child welfare authorities operated under the assumption that the best course for children who had been neglected or abused was to remove them from their homes and place them in foster care or group homes.

But years of studying outcomes and advances in neuroscience have confirmed that children removed from their families experience intense trauma that can last a lifetime.

More >> Foster parents, agency heads urge Senate to act on Family First Prevention Services Act

More than 9000 Queensland kids in foster care

THERE are 9103 Queensland children living in foster care, new statistics show.

More >> More than 9000 Queensland kids in foster care

Diaper Subsidy Vetoed By California Gov. Brown

California Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a measure Sunday that would have subsidized diapers for needy families on government assistance. Brown said the measure represented an end run around the budget process.

More >> Diaper Subsidy Vetoed By California Gov. Brown

Vulnerable children suffering

It’s been an important time for more than 40,000 Australian children in foster care and for thousands more who will follow them because their families cannot look after them. In Brisbane, the murder of Tiahleigh Palmer, 12, allegedly by her foster carer, set loud alarm bells ringing, with the Palaszczuk government announcing an investigation of the sector.

More >> Vulnerable children suffering

Why Parents Should Care About Accusations of Child Abuse Against Brad Pitt

It's easy to look at the tabloids pouncing on the Angelina Jolie/Brad Pitt split and cluck our collective tongues.

More >> Why Parents Should Care About Accusations of Child Abuse Against Brad Pitt

Just think of what they'll all be able to get away with while the normal people are distracted with this.

And the drama continues...

WATCH: Chris Brown Addresses Reports He’s Under Investigation by Child Protective Services: ‘I Take Care of My Daughter Fully’

Chris Brown has responded to reports after being arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.

More >> WATCH: Chris Brown Addresses Reports He’s Under Investigation by Child Protective Services: ‘I Take Care of My Daughter Fully’

Chris Brown is proud of being dad to baby Royalty amid probe by Child Protective Services

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Shut out? Homeless could be forced from Woodbridge camp

The action came after one of their neighbors allowed his adult daughter and her two preschool-aged children to stay at his makeshift cabin for several days during the summer, according to local homeless advocates and several campsite residents.

Although all are technically squatting on private land, reports of children living outside were enough to spur action from Prince William County social workers, who visited the campsite in August and called on the fire marshal to declare the structures unfit for habitation.

More >> Shut out? Homeless could be forced from Woodbridge camp

Opposition to Differential Response Dealt Heavy Blow

Actually, the new study is just another in a long line documenting that an approach to child welfare known as “differential response” is, in fact, safe.

More >> Opposition to Differential Response Dealt Heavy Blow

The unfairness of Georgia's welfare system

Many of us have heard stories about a single mom who receives training for a better paying job, but then turns down the job offer because she would lose more in welfare benefits than the pay raise would provide. These stories are often mistakenly disregarded as anecdotal.

More >> The unfairness of Georgia's welfare system

Brad Pitt’s Kids Are Begging To See Him — Is Angelina Jolie Keeping Them Away?

Brad Pitt is going through the wringer. The ‘Allied’ actor hasn’t seen his six kids since Angelina Jolie filed for divorce on Sept. 19, according to a shocking new report. On top of that, his kids are constantly asking to see their daddy. So, does his estranged wife have anything to do with it?

More >> Brad Pitt’s Kids Are Begging To See Him — Is Angelina Jolie Keeping Them Away?

Note: FYI: Due to this particular story and the fact that it has turned into a media circus that has flooded my news feeds with hundreds of repetitive articles, I have had to develop a new method of working with them. I honestly wish I had done this years ago. It is saving me hours of work.

Is Mississippi’s child care system backsliding?

Vital programs for vulnerable Mississippi children in limbo as state rushes to meet new federal rules

More >> Is Mississippi’s child care system backsliding?

Queensland child safety review broadened in wake of Tiahleigh Palmer's death

The Queensland government has offered a promise of "total transparency" to members of an expert panel who will help review child safety systems in the wake of the Tiahleigh Palmer case.

More >> Queensland child safety review broadened in wake of Tiahleigh Palmer's death

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Spotlight remains on county’s child-welfare services system

What began last year with one county supervisor’s legal battle with Yolo County’s child-welfare system — followed by shake-ups at the agency overseeing child welfare and public scrutiny during the recent trial of a mother accused of causing her infant’s death — continues Tuesday with a workshop during the Board of Supervisors meeting.

More >> Spotlight remains on county’s child-welfare services system

Review highlighted in new audit shows DCF fell short on two-thirds of foster care benchmarks

The Kansas Department for Children and Families’ foster care system complied with federal standards for protecting children from abuse and neglect, according to a federal review highlighted in a newly released state audit.

More >> Review highlighted in new audit shows DCF fell short on two-thirds of foster care benchmarks

Louisiana family services caseworkers scrambled to track foster children after flood disaster

The first phone calls from Hannah Gettys' supervisors came in as the foster care caseworker stood in ankle-deep water in her Denham Springs home.

More >> Louisiana family services caseworkers scrambled to track foster children after flood disaster

Parental Alienation and Father’s Rights: A Broken System

Parental alienation is victimizing the lives of countless good families—parents and children—all over the world with devastating repercussions. To the alienated parent, it can be a dizzying feeling of helplessness that grips you while frantically searching for answers to stop what is happening.

More >> Parental Alienation and Father’s Rights: A Broken System

Social worker removed wrong girl from school

A FATHER has told how he feared his four-year-old daughter had been kidnapped after Social Services pulled her from school when they mistook her for a different girl.

More >> Social worker removed wrong girl from school

Former foster carer jailed after sexually abusing two children

A former foster carer from Ramsgate who sexually abused two children has been jailed.

Gary Teague, 57, who now lives near Canterbury, pleaded guilty to two counts of making an indecent photo – namely a video – of a child, but pleaded not guilty to two counts of abusing a position of trust by causing or inciting a child to engage in a sexual activity and two counts of recording another person doing a private act for his own sexual gratification.

More >> Former foster carer jailed after sexually abusing two children

Brian Rothery, The Irishman Who Takes In Women & Children Fleeing Forced Adoption In Britain.

More >> Brian Rothery, The Irishman Who Takes In Women & Children Fleeing Forced Adoption In Britain.

Angelina Jolie accused of smear campaign to win full custody of kids

Brad Pitt’s advisers suspect that Angelina Jolie is smearing his reputation so that she can win full custody of their children and move to New York to work for the United Nations, according to US media reports.

More >> Angelina Jolie accused of smear campaign to win full custody of kids

Legislators to review state foster system’s misuse of psychotropic drugs

State Sen. Mike McGuire will head an oversight hearing Monday to publicly discuss the findings of a state audit criticizing county foster care systems, including Sonoma County’s, for not adequately monitoring the use of psychotropic drugs among local foster youth.

More >> Legislators to review state foster system’s misuse of psychotropic drugs

Tiahleigh Palmer may have been pregnant when she died

Tiahleigh Palmer's foster brother was anxious he may have got the 12-year-old pregnant before she was allegedly murdered by his father, a court has been told.

More >> Tiahleigh Palmer may have been pregnant when she died

Arkansas' child welfare system in the spotlight following report

Arkansas’ child welfare system is in the spotlight following the release of a 2015 report.

The report, published in July 2015, showed, in addition to a shortage of foster homes, Arkansas caseworker loads were twice the national average leading to high rates of caseworker turnover.

More >> Arkansas' child welfare system in the spotlight following report

Friday, September 23, 2016

Chris Brown Responds To Rumors of a CPS Investigation

Chris Brown has been in the media for all the wrong reasons lately, however, it is nice to see that there are many people who are taking his side in most of these recent and unfortunate situations.

More >> Chris Brown Responds To Rumors of a CPS Investigation

Protesters say DCF failed to protect child

Police continue to investigate what caused bruises on a one year-old girl's face.

She is the same child we told you early this week has two broken arms and a fractured skull.

More >> Protesters say DCF failed to protect child

With More Than 750 Young Adults Aging Out Of Foster Care Every Year, Where Do They Go?

The number of children in foster care in Arizona grew 86 percent from 2009 to 2015 to more than 19,000 children today. Now, more than 750 young adults leave care every year.

More >> With More Than 750 Young Adults Aging Out Of Foster Care Every Year, Where Do They Go?

Woman attacks CPS officers after children taken into protective custody

Police break out the window of a van to make an arrest in Chico.

It happened outside the Butte County Social Welfare office in Chico on Carmichael Drive a few minutes after 10 a.m. this morning when police took custody of a two-year-old child left unattended at the Motel 6 earlier in the day.

More >> Woman attacks CPS officers after children taken into protective custody

Senator calls for independent investigation of CYFD in Martens' death

A New Mexico state senator is formally requesting the Attorney General commission an independent investigation into any previous allegations of abuse involving 10-year-old Victoria Martens, who police say was drugged, sexually assaulted and brutally killed in August.

More >> Senator calls for independent investigation of CYFD in Martens' death

B.C. woman ordered to pay father $135,000 for false sexual abuse allegation

A woman from the Fraser Valley is being ordered to pay her father $135,000 in damages after she made a post online alleging he had sexually abused her daughter.

More >> B.C. woman ordered to pay father $135,000 for false sexual abuse allegation

Audit cites Kansas foster care system compliance failures

Auditors say the Kansas foster care system isn't meeting many federal requirements, including ones aimed at providing stability for children.

More >> Audit cites Kansas foster care system compliance failures

Agency Blamed for Boy's 'Horrifying' Foster Home

The guardian of a special-needs child claims in a federal lawsuit that the boy was sexually assaulted by his foster care father, forced to eat off the floor, starved and locked in his bedroom for weeks.

More >> Agency Blamed for Boy's 'Horrifying' Foster Home

Foster dad with THREE children in his care is charged with child sex offences and possessing child pornography

A foster father with three children in his care has been charged with child sex offences and possessing child exploitation material.

More >> Foster dad with THREE children in his care is charged with child sex offences and possessing child pornography

B.C.'s child watchdog asks Attorney General to intervene in Metis toddler case

British Columbia’s representative for children and youth is urging the province’s attorney general to intervene in the case of a Metis toddler being adopted to non-aboriginal parents in Ontario.

More >> B.C.'s child watchdog asks Attorney General to intervene in Metis toddler case

One Year Update on Fixing Arkansas' Foster Crisis

A year ago, Governor Asa Hutchinson put the Division of Children and Family Services in the spotlight following an evaluation that found a system in need of a fix. Now we are working to see where DHS says it has made progress and which problems still persist.

More >> One Year Update on Fixing Arkansas' Foster Crisis

Tiahleigh Palmer’s mother Cindy thanks investigators after foster father is charged with murder

TIAHLEIGH Palmer’s mother Cindy said “a piece of my heart is missing” in her first public statement since the arrest of her daughter’s alleged killer.

More >> Tiahleigh Palmer’s mother Cindy thanks investigators after foster father is charged with murder

New Charges for Long Island Foster Father Accused of Abusing Boys

A longtime foster father, already accused of sexually abusing five of his adopted sons and endangering the welfare of two foster children, was charged on Thursday with abusing another boy in his home on Long Island.

More >> New Charges for Long Island Foster Father Accused of Abusing Boys

State housing foster children in a closed youth detention center

State officials are housing 37 foster care children with severe emotional and behavioral issues in a repurposed former juvenile detention center in northeast Texas, a decision a ranking Texas senator said Thursday amounts to the “warehousing” of troubled youths in the state's care.

More >> State housing foster children in a closed youth detention center

Dandridge DCS case manager charged with filing false reports in child abuse investigation

A Tennessee Department of Children’s Services employee is facing charges in both Jefferson and Sevier counties.

More >> Dandridge DCS case manager charged with filing false reports in child abuse investigation

Thursday, September 22, 2016

TN Dept. of Children's Services employee indicted for filing false report in abuse case

TBI agents said a Tennessee Department of Children's Services employee has been indicted on several charges stemming from a child abuse case in which they said a false report was filed.

More >> TN Dept. of Children's Services employee indicted for filing false report in abuse case

Labor criticises $8.5m reform plans for foster care homes after 'Girl X' failures

Questions have been raised about whether a shake-up of the NSW foster care system does enough to help vulnerable children.

More >> Labor criticises $8.5m reform plans for foster care homes after 'Girl X' failures

MP compares sex ed to residential schools

Conservative leadership hopeful Brad Trost raised some eyebrows Wednesday when he compared Ontario's new sex-education curriculum to residential schools.

More >> MP compares sex ed to residential schools

Audit cites Kansas foster care system compliance failures

Auditors say the Kansas foster care system isn’t meeting many federal requirements, including ones aimed at providing stability for children.

More >> Audit cites Kansas foster care system compliance failures

Our Economy Is Booming, So Why Are Kids Still Going to Bed Hungry?

In 2009, when the economic devastation of the Great Recession was most widely felt, one in four American children struggled with hunger, according to a USDA report released at the time that President Obama called “unsettling.” As unemployment shot up after the housing collapse, the number of Americans enrolled in the food stamp program hit record high after record high. The richest nation in the world was facing a hunger crisis—and children were among the most vulnerable.

More >> Our Economy Is Booming, So Why Are Kids Still Going to Bed Hungry?

Brad Pitt Under Investigation For Child Abuse After Allegedly Flipping Out — Details Here

If Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's divorce isn't already messy enough between rumors of cheating, substance abuse, and the custody battle, it's about to get a WHOLE lot worse now that the LAPD is reportedly investigating Pitt for child abuse!

More >> Brad Pitt Under Investigation For Child Abuse After Allegedly Flipping Out — Details Here

Note: I figured this would get juicy. I will continue to update this post so as not to flood the feed with the media circus.

Hot Car Death: Foster Father Allegedly ‘Forgets’ 3-Month-Old Baby in Car For Nine Hours

Mame Neta Attocknie, a three-month old baby was reported dead, Tuesday after her foster father allegedly left her in the car in Geronimo, Oklahoma, KFOR News is reporting. The three-month-old baby had allegedly been forgotten in the car for nine hours while the foster father was asleep.

More >> Hot Car Death: Foster Father Allegedly ‘Forgets’ 3-Month-Old Baby in Car For Nine Hours

FOUR WAYS TO FIX WASHINGTON’S FOSTER CARE SYSTEM

Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services faces what internal documents reveal is a crisis in finding places to house foster children – kids removed from their parents’ homes as a result of neglect or abuse. Many young people are being shuttled between hotels and emergency housing.

More >> FOUR WAYS TO FIX WASHINGTON’S FOSTER CARE SYSTEM

Metis toddler removed from B.C. foster parents, to be moved to Ontario later

A British Columbia foster mother says there are no words to describe her loss after the provincial government removed a Metis toddler she has raised almost since birth from her care.

More >> Metis toddler removed from B.C. foster parents, to be moved to Ontario later

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Kentucky social workers say system is in crisis, placing children in danger

On a Facebook page called “Kentucky Kids Matter,” state child protection workers say Kentucky’s system is in crisis and children are in danger.

“We have a crisis going on that should be concerning to all people as our children are in serious danger due to the current conditions of child protective services,” said Jeff Culver, a Jefferson County child protection supervisor for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

More >> Kentucky social workers say system is in crisis, placing children in danger

Tiahleigh Palmer: Foster father collapses in watch house after being charged with murdering schoolgirl

Tiahleigh Palmer's foster father Rick Thorburn, who has been charged with murder over the 12-year-old's death, has been taken to hospital after collapsing in the Beenleigh watch house on Tuesday afternoon.

More >> Tiahleigh Palmer: Foster father collapses in watch house after being charged with murdering schoolgirl

Why we should do everything possible to avoid foster care and keep kids with their families

When I read about the crisis in Texas foster care system, all I can think about is my beautiful younger sister Nannette. Nannette got out of foster care, but she didn't survive. She became a statistic, a victim of the consequences of what experts call adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs. Research has shown that ACEs accumulate over time, and the number of these experiences in childhood predicts morbidity and mortality in adulthood. It doesn't say it on her death certificate, but Nannette died from too many ACEs.

More >> Why we should do everything possible to avoid foster care and keep kids with their families

Audit into DCF finds agency not meeting all federal standards

A legislative post audit into the Department for Children and Families found that the agency is not meeting all its state and federal requirements for the foster care program.

More >> Audit into DCF finds agency not meeting all federal standards

Foster care system doesn’t meet two-thirds of requirements, audit finds

Social workers warn of growing risks of job

Ten years after western Kentucky social service aide Boni Frederick was slain on the job, state social workers are asking lawmakers to address what they say is a crisis at the Department for Community Based Services, the agency that investigates child abuse and neglect.

More >> Social workers warn of growing risks of job

State’s foster system sets kids up for failure

When foster children spend the night in a hotel or in a foster home that agrees to keep them for only one night at a time, they typically don’t make it to school the next day. Instead, they sit in a Washington Department of Social and Health Services office. Over-stretched social workers must take turns babysitting them, while also trying to manage dozens of other cases.

More >> State’s foster system sets kids up for failure