Judge: Beds Gran "Stupid" Over Child Welfare

A 53 year-old Bedfordshire gran, who refused to help social workers trying to find her 3 year-old grandchild has been held in prison for two days.

Alison Moutiq who lives in the Bedford area, was arrested on Sunday and kept in custody - ahead of appearing at the High Court today.

The case centres on social workers who'd become concerned about her granddaughter, who we can't name for legal reasons,  and a judge who said anyone with information about where she was must provide it - and they'd be in contempt of court if not.

More >> Judge: Beds Gran "Stupid" Over Child Welfare   

Norway's Government-Abducted Children, And Ramifications For Europe

The European Court of Human Rights will investigate Norway’s child welfare agency Barnevernet in 2017.

More >> Norway's Government-Abducted Children, And Ramifications For Europe

Study reveals significant inequalities in child welfare across the UK

Children in the poorest areas of the UK are at least 10 times more likely than those in the most affluent to become involved in the child protection system, according to a report by seven British universities. It finds 'strong social gradients' in the rates of intervention across the UK: a step increase in neighbourhood deprivation increases a child's chances of being either taken into care or on a child protection plan by around a third.

More >> Study reveals significant inequalities in child welfare across the UK

Revealed: The full horror suffered by ‘Grace’, the girl the State forgot

A report published today opens the lid on the shocking abuse and neglect of a child and young adult left languishing in a foster care home, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell

More >> Revealed: The full horror suffered by ‘Grace’, the girl the State forgot

• 20 years of horror: Grace returned to foster home after hospital saw her for bruising on thighs and breasts
• Grace files: Child with disabilities was locked in cupboard
• Foster care abuse inquiries say four other cases must be examined

Foster mom arrested in death of boy headed for adoption

A foster mother has been arrested in the death of a 17-month-old boy who suffered apparent head injuries just weeks before he was likely to be adopted.

More >> Foster mom arrested in death of boy headed for adoption

Former Little City worker accused in boy's abuse received DCFS job

A former Little City employee accused of abusing an 11-year-old boy there has been placed on administrative leave from her job at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

More >> Former Little City worker accused in boy's abuse received DCFS job

Judge apologizes to parents for time daughter spent in ‘legal limbo’

A Superior Court judge in Kitchener has apologized to the parents of a 10-year-old girl caught up in Ontario's "broken" child welfare system.

More >> Judge apologizes to parents for time daughter spent in ‘legal limbo’

Charge dropped against former Gulf correctional officer

A former Gulf County correctional officer accused of molesting his underage foster daughter will not be facing charges that he was a familial or custodial figure to the child, according to court records.

More >> Charge dropped against former Gulf correctional officer

California has a responsibility to get foster kids to school

For many of California’s foster children, their school may be the most stable institution in their lives. Yet many of them face special challenges when it comes to attendance that other children don’t face. One of those challenges is the most basic one of all: It’s hard to get to school if you don’t have transportation to get you there.

More >> California has a responsibility to get foster kids to school

Man receives maximum sentence in foster child death: 2-year-old drowned in unattended shower

A Bemidji man whose 2-year-old foster daughter drowned after he left her in the shower received the maximum sentence for second-degree manslaughter Friday.

More >> Man receives maximum sentence in foster child death: 2-year-old drowned in unattended shower

Single black mom battles school over calls to CAS

Mother alleges in human rights case her son's school made baseless calls to CAS and pressured her to place him in a program for suspended students

More >> Single black mom battles school over calls to CAS

Woman fights to be removed from state's child abuse registry

Megan Miller lives in Olathe and has one dream in life: to work with children.

More >> Woman fights to be removed from state's child abuse registry

Man accused of sexually assaulting foster child, fathering her 3 kids arrested

Authorities captured a man accused of sexually assaulting his foster child for more than 15 years, fathering the girl's three kids.

More >> Man accused of sexually assaulting foster child, fathering her 3 kids arrested

Records: Mom accused of scalding child was able to adopt despite abuse warnings

A Tucson woman was allowed to adopt the foster child she is accused of scalding, even though a relative says he warned the adoption agency she was unstable and abusive.

More >> Records: Mom accused of scalding child was able to adopt despite abuse warnings

Feds rip Kentucky child protection system

Kentucky's beleaguered child welfare system was slammed in a review by federal officials, who provide much of the $415 million in funds for the state to protect children from neglect and abuse.

More >> Feds rip Kentucky child protection system

Child Abuse Council Launches Investigation into County Foster Care System Following NBC Bay Area Investigation

High turnover rates and a social worker shortage are at the center of a new investigation by the Santa Clara County Child Abuse Council looking into the Department of Family and Children’s Services which provides support to more than 1,300 children

More >> Child Abuse Council Launches Investigation into County Foster Care System Following NBC Bay Area Investigation

Teen facing charges after foster mother is found dead

A 14-year-old girl is facing criminal charges after her newly assigned foster mother was found dead in a Mesa County home.

More >> Teen facing charges after foster mother is found dead

Child Protective Services Take 80 Million Children Into Custody After Discovering No One In Country Fit To Be Parent

Saying no one in the country is responsible or reliable enough to serve as a legal guardian, child protective services officials from all 50 states confirmed Friday that they had found all of the nation’s adults unfit to be parents and had taken custody of approximately 80 million children.

More >> Child Protective Services Take 80 Million Children Into Custody After Discovering No One In Country Fit To Be Parent

Note: I know this is an Onion story, but given the current state of affairs, I wouldn't put it past them some time in the future.

Nebraska legislators hear testimony on bill aimed at keeping siblings in foster care together

At age 3, Bridget Christensen and David Lathrop’s adopted son had one wish for Santa Claus.

More >> Nebraska legislators hear testimony on bill aimed at keeping siblings in foster care together

Foster care worker pleads guilty to falsifying records

A DCF subcontractor who lied multiple times about an at-risk toddler's whereabouts has pleaded guilty to falsifying and destroying records.

More >> Foster care worker pleads guilty to falsifying records

Teen charged with manslaughter in death of foster mom

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office said a teen girl has been arrested in connection with a Grand Valley death investigation.

More >> Teen charged with manslaughter in death of foster mom

Foster parents concerned companies driving foster kids not safe

A FOX6 investigation finds the state might be allowing dangerous transportation for Milwaukee children in foster care.

More >> Foster parents concerned companies driving foster kids not safe

Child welfare bill heads to Texas Senate

Senate Health and Human Services Committee members voted unanimously Wednesday morning to send a bill aimed at overhauling the state’s child welfare system to the full Senate for a vote.

More >> Child welfare bill heads to Texas Senate

Dismayed, DCF head Mike Carroll explains fragments of Facebook Live suicide case

Standing before the members of the Children, Families and Seniors Subcommittee Thursday, Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll admitted Naika Venant had been in out of foster care since 2009.

More >> Dismayed, DCF head Mike Carroll explains fragments of Facebook Live suicide case

Chicago public schools say they will keep ICE agents out

Chicago Public Schools say they will deny federal immigration agents access to district buildings and personnel unless served with a criminal warrant, the latest in a series of steps taken by US school officials to protect undocumented students.

More >> Chicago public schools say they will keep ICE agents out

Senate panel OKs far-ranging privatization of Texas CPS workers’ duties

A Senate panel has endorsed a sweeping child welfare privatization measure that in future years could outsource most of what Child Protective Services does beyond initial investigations of child-maltreatment reports.

More >> Senate panel OKs far-ranging privatization of Texas CPS workers’ duties

Teen Arrested In Foster Mom’s Death Faces Additional Charges

The 14-year-old accused of killing her foster mom is now facing additional charges.

More >> Teen Arrested In Foster Mom’s Death Faces Additional Charges

Mother takes home schooling case to federal investigators

The mother who accuses the Buffalo Public Schools of instigating her arrest for home schooling her children is now taking her case to the federal government.

More >> Mother takes home schooling case to federal investigators

New York to pay $3M to family of disabled boy molested by staffer at group home which perv called ‘a predator’s dream’

New York state is paying $3 million to the family of developmentally disabled boy repeatedly molested by a staffer at a state-run group home who later wrote that lax supervision at the facility made it "a predator's dream."

More >> New York to pay $3M to family of disabled boy molested by staffer at group home which perv called ‘a predator’s dream’ 

Confessions of a Caseworker: We Remove Kids to Protect Ourselves

It’s hard to imagine many jobs more difficult than that of a caseworker for a child protective services agency. The hours are long, the pay is low, the stress is high and the stakes can be, literally, life and death. Most workers have the best of intentions.

More >> Confessions of a Caseworker: We Remove Kids to Protect Ourselves

Bill would increase financial help to families who adopt relatives

A newly proposed Texas law aims to help keep foster care children with their relatives, by providing their families more financial support.

More >> Bill would increase financial help to families who adopt relatives

Third member resigns from Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

Glenn Houston resigned from the panel when he was asked by Lady Smith to consider stepping down from the new roles.

More >> Third member resigns from Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

2 school administrators charged with failing to report suspected child abuse

Tuesday’s charges involve allegations about a former teacher at Prairie View High School in La Cygne. That teacher is accused of having sex with a student. Authorities said there are indications that administrators did not report earlier suspicions.

More >> 2 school administrators charged with failing to report suspected child abuse

Clinginess could be sign of child abuse, says watchdog

Teachers, social workers and police officers should consider the possibility of abuse if they come across an “excessively clingy” child, according to new guidance.

More >> Clinginess could be sign of child abuse, says watchdog

Florida child protection investigator arrested for lying in possible sex abuse case

A former child protection detective in Florida was arrested for lying in an ongoing investigation involving the possible sexual assault of a child, a spokesman for the state’s Department of Children and Families confirmed Monday.

More >> Florida child protection investigator arrested for lying in possible sex abuse case

Parents of rescued toddler upset, confused after son taken into custody

There are so many questions about how a Northeast Portland toddler disappeared from his home over the weekend that the Department of Human Services is now investigating.

More >> Parents of rescued toddler upset, confused after son taken into custody

False report case resurfaces, highlights effect on children

A Westville woman appeared in court last week for violation of probation - but it was her original charges from 2014 that highlighted an issue faced by Florida's historically understaffed and underfunded child services programs.

More >> False report case resurfaces, highlights effect on children

Florida child welfare investigator booked on drug charges

Florida authorities have booked a child protective investigator they say was dealing heroin and cocaine.

More >> Florida child welfare investigator booked on drug charges

The temper police: Parents may be investigated by social services if their kids throw 'intense' tantrums at school

Parents of children who throw temper tantrums in class should be considered potential abusers or guilty of neglect, according to new official guidance.

More >> The temper police: Parents may be investigated by social services if their kids throw 'intense' tantrums at school

Foster mom was never supposed to have young children, fatality inquiry hears

Foster mom Lily Choy was never supposed to end up with a child under the age of five in her care, an Edmonton fatality inquiry heard Tuesday.

More >> Foster mom was never supposed to have young children, fatality inquiry hears

System-Suckology: The High Profile Child Abuse Case and the Simple Minded Sheep

This is an extremely important article that I just came across.  One that almost accurately describes the heard like behavior of the idiot sheep simple minded normal people who watch too much TV News which is currently fixated on on a small number of high profile child abuse cases around the New York City area.

The average caseload was 9.2 per worker earlier this year, below the target of 12 at the city's Administration for Children's Services, according to the Daily News of New York (http://nydn.us/2ll2Y2x ). But after Zymere Perkins' death in September, (a high profile child abuse case) it rose to more than 13.8, largely because of an increase in calls of suspected abuse and neglect. The agency hired 600 new caseworkers last year, but child welfare workers told the newspaper that many are leaving because the job is overwhelming and stressful. 

More >> NYC child welfare worker caseloads increase after deaths 

You see folks, the normal people get their whole education about child welfare from watching TV or reading sensational news stories in the local papers. When the Local News Media takes off with such horrific stories, the normal people tend to have their hearts and minds moved in such a way that they start seeing potential cases of child abuse everywhere.  They become so concerned for the well being of other peoples children that they pick up the phone and call without hesitation.

It's an interesting phenomenon really.  These simple minded normal people become psychologically conditioned to to think of only such horrific cases of child abuse so that when they hear the words "child abuse or neglect" sickening images of only the worst of the worst cases pops into their heads.  Differences in severity, such as the difference between a minor spanking and a sicko who rapes and beats an infant to within an inch of her life become totally non existent to them.  All parents become monsters.  Therefore, oh my god every kid is going to die so everybody needs to call CPS right away.

"We recognize that caseloads rise temporarily following high-profile cases, and averages fluctuate at various times throughout the year, which is why our continued focus remains building on the 600 workers we've recently hired," acting Commissioner Eric Brettschneider said.

It is right that society be disgusted by severe child abuse cases.  We wouldn't be civilized if we allowed these cases to go unpunished.  That said, it is a shame that when it does happen, the number of unwarranted calls to the hotline increase drastically.  As a consequence, Social Workers end up chasing shadows and burying themselves in the paperwork it comes with, while the real child abuse cases just slip through the cracks.

Another consequence is that CPS becomes, perceptually speaking, an utter mess in need of tons of money to hire more workers and provide more training, and bla bla bla and this and that, ie. "600 newly hired workers."  The states legislature typically falls for it and pumps more money into the system to "fix" it.  Therefore CPS is able to use the high profile child abuse case as a growth opportunity when it should be an opportunity to throw them all out and start over.  In fact, the simple minded normal people mentioned above will demand it of them.  

These people who become so quick to call the Child Abuse Hotline following high profile child abuse cases are a major part of the problem that doesn't get nearly enough credit.  Sadly, most of them don't know any better because until you experience a CPS worker crawling up your ass, it is impossible for you to see the light.

I could go on about this subject for hours.  I'm just not going to as I've already given you enough to chew on.

Peace Love and Flowers
LK

Florida child welfare investigator wanted on drug charges

Florida authorities are looking for a child protective investigator they say was dealing heroin and cocaine.

More >> Florida child welfare investigator wanted on drug charges

State Sen. wants parents to have access to investigations into school police

Laura Gutierrez has been trying to get public records from Albuquerque Public Schools for more than a year. In 2014 a school law enforcement officer allegedly used force against her autistic son.

More >> State Sen. wants parents to have access to investigations into school police

CPS takes big step toward goal of hiring 828 new staff members

The state’s Child Protective Services Division may finally be getting a leg up on tackling huge caseloads, according to the agency’s commissioner. Hank Whitman told the House Human Services Committee Monday the agency is hiring more child protective case workers than ever this year.

More >> CPS takes big step toward goal of hiring 828 new staff members

Ninja kids jump out of van to escape social workers

If there’s a will, then there’s a way out.

Street children were caught on cam as they skillfully fled from a rescue van in Quiapo, Manila. The kids were gathered by a social worker, and were supposed to be brought to the main office of the Manila Social Welfare and Development (MSWD).

More >> Ninja kids jump out of van to escape social workers

News Line Report Child of Abuse By Foster Mother In Kogi State

More >> News Line Report Child of Abuse By Foster Mother In Kogi State

Kids in Cuffs: Why Handcuff an 8-Year-Old Student With a Disability?

School isn't usually tough for Kalyb Wiley-Primm, a smart, soft-spoken kid who likes science and robotics.

More >> Kids in Cuffs: Why Handcuff an 8-Year-Old Student With a Disability?

Tiahleigh Palmer death prompts Queensland Government to improve child safety measures

The Queensland Government has pledged $6 million to improve information sharing between agencies when a child goes missing, and promised to set up a register of home-based childcare services.

More >> Tiahleigh Palmer death prompts Queensland Government to improve child safety measures

Priscilla Presley confirms that she is taking care of Lisa Marie's twins amid messy custody battle

Priscilla Presley has broken her silence to thank fans in the midst of daughter Lisa Marie's messy custody battle for eight-year-old daughters Finley and Harper.

More >> Priscilla Presley confirms that she is taking care of Lisa Marie's twins amid messy custody battle

Embattled NYC Children's Services agency caseloads sharply rising following Zymere Perkins death

Last fall, the city’s child welfare agency came under heavy fire for failing to intervene before 6-year-old Zymere Perkins was beaten to death in a squalid Harlem apartment caseworkers had visited many times.

More >> Embattled NYC Children's Services agency caseloads sharply rising following Zymere Perkins death

Europe issues ‘serious warning’ to Norway over child welfare service

The Norwegian Child Welfare Service (Barnevernet) has long been accùsed of overreach in its efforts to protect children from potentially abùsive sitùations.

More >> Europe issues ‘serious warning’ to Norway over child welfare service

Former ACS head didn’t enforce safety program for caseworkers

Mayor de Blasio’s child-welfare commissioner turned her back on a safety program that was a key reform adopted in the wake of the infamous 2006 beating death of little Nixzmary Brown, The Post has learned.

More >> Former ACS head didn’t enforce safety program for caseworkers

Lawsuit highlights problems with Transylvania Child Protective Services

Transylvania County is embroiled in a lawsuit with a former Department of Social Services supervisor whose alleged activities raise doubts about how the county’s child protective services division handled cases under her watch.

More >> Lawsuit highlights problems with Transylvania Child Protective Services

Blake Ross ‘third child in state care to die this year’

Teenager Blake Ross, who died after running away from a foster unit, is the third young person in state care to die since the new year, a leading charity has warned.

More >> Blake Ross ‘third child in state care to die this year’

Father reveals shock at his twins being adopted by Madonna

Madonna has taken my girls for ever? That can’t be true! Pictured for the first time, the twins’ father says he didn’t realise their adoption was permanent

More >> Father reveals shock at his twins being adopted by Madonna

Courts face crisis over 500 'fixed' forensic tests: Thousands may appeal against drink, drug and child custody verdicts after scientists are accused of doctoring samples

Rogue scientists are feared to have doctored the forensic test results of hundreds of innocent people, sparking a massive miscarriage of justice inquiry.

More >> Courts face crisis over 500 'fixed' forensic tests: Thousands may appeal against drink, drug and child custody verdicts after scientists are accused of doctoring samples

Saving our kids: No easy fixes for Ontario's damaged child care system

We’re all born equal, but we’re born into different circumstances. When the circumstances are worse than just unequal, the rest of us are supposed to do something about it. That’s why we have children’s aid societies.

More >> Saving our kids: No easy fixes for Ontario's damaged child care system

Forced adoption: call for public apology to victims of Scotland’s ‘dirty little secret’

A MOTHER forced to give up her baby in the 1960s because she was an unmarried teenager is hoping to use human rights laws to win an inquiry into why 60,000 women in Scotland suffered the same fate.

More >> Forced adoption: call for public apology to victims of Scotland’s ‘dirty little secret’

Former child investigator arrested for falsifying records

A former Florida child protection investigator is being charged with two counts of falsifying records.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested 27-year-old Brittanee Carter on Thursday. Records show she worked for the Department of Children and Families until February 2016.

More >> Former child investigator arrested for falsifying records

EXCLUSIVE: ACS WORKERS SAY CASE LOAD TOO HIGH, BLAME FOR CHILD DEATHS IS UNFAIR

City workers tasked with trying to protect thousands of kids in crisis are speaking out for the first time -- not hidden in the shadows -- on camera in what can only be described as a plea for help.

More >> EXCLUSIVE: ACS WORKERS SAY CASE LOAD TOO HIGH, BLAME FOR CHILD DEATHS IS UNFAIR

State backslides on foster care

Smotherman is executive director of the Family Advocacy Movement in Omaha. Wexler is executive director of the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, in Alexandria, Virginia.

More >> State backslides on foster care

Cellmate attacks woman jailed for killing foster son

A 22-year-old woman was indicted on assault charges Wednesday, accused of attacking an inmate convicted of killing her foster child.

More >> Cellmate attacks woman jailed for killing foster son

City’s child-welfare agency to fire abusive counselor

The city’s child welfare agency plans to fire a juvenile counselor for choking a detainee and throwing another to the ground while breaking up a fight, according to an agency spokesman.

More >> City’s child-welfare agency to fire abusive counselor

Investigation finds child welfare system errors in child abuse deaths

Action News Investigates has found multiple cases in which authorities said children’s lives could have been spared if someone in the child welfare system had been paying closer attention.

More >> Investigation finds child welfare system errors in child abuse deaths

County Supes Push DCFS To Make Back Payments To Foster Parents by Mid-March

Citing hundreds of missed county payments to foster parents and children since December, the Board of Supervisors pushed child welfare staffers Tuesday to come up with a plan to make all back payments by mid-March.

More >> County Supes Push DCFS To Make Back Payments To Foster Parents by Mid-March

Elvis Presley’s twin granddaughters ‘taken into care after indecent images found on dad’s computer’

The twin granddaughters of Elvis Presley have allegedly been taken into care after their mum found ‘hundreds of indecent photos of children’ on their dad’s computer.

More >> Elvis Presley’s twin granddaughters ‘taken into care after indecent images found on dad’s computer’

Judge apologizes to parents of girl left in ‘limbo’ for years after flawed Motherisk drug test

A 10-year-old girl has been in “legal limbo” for nearly half her life after she was “wrongly apprehended” from her mother who had failed a flawed drug test from the Sick Kids’ Motherisk laboratory.

More >> Judge apologizes to parents of girl left in ‘limbo’ for years after flawed Motherisk drug test

Kirkless council breached parents’ human rights by removing baby

Social workers have been accused of breaching the human rights of a couple after their week-old baby was taken off them in hospital when the father praised “the benefits of formula milk”.

More >> Kirkless council breached parents’ human rights by removing baby

How hollow rhetoric and a broken child welfare system feed Texas' sex-trafficking underworld

How the crusade against sex trafficking in Texas has left child victims behind.

When Mia was 16, she walked out of a Houston children's emergency shelter. She had to go, she told the staff. Her pimp was waiting.

More >> How hollow rhetoric and a broken child welfare system feed Texas' sex-trafficking underworld

DHHS supervisor on the run

A supervisor with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) child protection unit, who has held similar positions in Seymour, is wanted by police for allegedly possessing child pornography.

More >> DHHS supervisor on the run

Why do more L.A. County black children end up in foster care? Experts clash over the reason

Black children account for eight out of 100 Los Angeles County children, yet they make up 28 out of 100 foster children, according to Department of Children and Family Services data.

More >> Why do more L.A. County black children end up in foster care? Experts clash over the reason

Grand Jury Says Foster Care System In New York Endangers Children

A damning report from a grand jury in New York accuses the state's foster care system of endangering children. The jury found that the state's poor regulations and bureaucracy allowed an alleged predator access to disabled boys for nearly 20 years.

More >> Grand Jury Says Foster Care System In New York Endangers Children

• Grand jury report blasts NY foster care system, identifies ‘abysmal’ communication failures

Audit: Fired detective mishandled dozens of child abuse cases

An audit of a former Crimes Against Children detective’s work led to the reinvestigation of more than 1,100 cases and the issuance of 85 arrest warrants.

More >> Audit: Fired detective mishandled dozens of child abuse cases

Inside a mom's months-long fight to get back her children

On an unseasonably warm January afternoon a case worker with the Los Angeles County Department of Child and Family Services approached a mid-century apartment complex in Pomona to perform one of the most emotionally charged tasks in public service.

More >> Inside a mom's months-long fight to get back her children

Youth leaving child welfare, former prisoners and mental patients struggling with homelessness

Adults leaving prison will join young adults leaving the child welfare system and those leaving mental health care in getting additional community support to live in the community.

More >> Youth leaving child welfare, former prisoners and mental patients struggling with homelessness

Can Washington afford to fix its broken foster care system?

Washington state could soon have a new agency devoted to helping at-risk children and families, with the long-term goal of reducing brushes with child protective services and the courts.

More >> Can Washington afford to fix its broken foster care system?

Suffolk grand jury finds failures in foster-care system

A lack of coordination between child welfare agencies in Suffolk County, New York City and the state was so pervasive that it allowed a Ridge foster father to sexually abuse dozens of boys for years, a Suffolk grand jury has found.

More >> Suffolk grand jury finds failures in foster-care system

• Grand jury report: 5 child welfare agencies failed sex abuse victims
• Grand jury report: N.Y. man took in 100 children despite 18 child-abuse investigations

ECHR issues warning to Norway over child welfare service

Eight Norwegian child welfare cases have been heard by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg over the past 15 months in what a long-time human rights lawyer has called "an extremely serious warning to Norway".

More >> ECHR issues warning to Norway over child welfare service

Arizona Department of Child Safety seeks new procedure for child removal

The Arizona Department of Child Safety is working with the judicial system to establish a new procedure for caseworkers.

More >> Arizona Department of Child Safety seeks new procedure for child removal

He's back...

NE man sent to jail for raping foster children

A North­east Phil­adelphia man was sen­tenced on Monday to spend the next 30 to 60 years be­hind bars for rap­ing three of his fam­ily’s foster chil­dren re­peatedly over an 11-year peri­od.

More >> NE man sent to jail for raping foster children

Teenage girl in foster care missing in WA

The Department for Child Protection and Family Support said 15-year-old Kandi Hewitt was last seen in the Hamilton Hill area in September, and it was likely she was now with friends around the Bassendean, Midland and Herne Hill region.

More >> Teenage girl in foster care missing in WA

Woman Poses as Impostor CIA Agent to Become Niece’s Foster Parent

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has filed a criminal complaint against a woman from Southgate. The suspect was charged for allegedly posing as a CIA agent. According to reports, she was trying to become her niece’s foster parent.

More >> Woman Poses as Impostor CIA Agent to Become Niece’s Foster Parent

Casino, tickets, travel among expenditures of Child Abuse Council embezzler

An investigation that started with a casino charge on a company credit card ended in a jail sentence Tuesday in Muskegon County's 14th Circuit Court.

More >> Casino, tickets, travel among expenditures of Child Abuse Council embezzler

Press Release: Child, 4, injured while in DSS custody

Charleston attorney David Aylor today issued the following statement after a four-year-old child, while in DSS custody is injured after being hit by a car.

More >> Press Release: Child, 4, injured while in DSS custody

FBI raids Strongsville-based international adoption agency as part of criminal probe

The Cleveland FBI raided an international adoption agency based in Strongsville Tuesday as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, a spokeswoman confirmed.

More >> FBI raids Strongsville-based international adoption agency as part of criminal probe

Sixties Scoop ruling could cost federal government over $1 billion

A dark chapter in Canada’s past may end up costing present-day taxpayers over $1 billion as the government makes amends for what some have deemed “cultural genocide.”

More >> Sixties Scoop ruling could cost federal government over $1 billion

Increasing numbers of Aboriginal children in state care an 'indictment on families': Credlin

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott's former chief of staff said the increasing numbers of indigenous Australian children in state care was an "indictment on families".

More >> Increasing numbers of Aboriginal children in state care an 'indictment on families': Credlin

Child advocate paints disturbing picture of DCF

About 90 percent of the records entered into the Department of Children and Families database about licensing the Groton foster home in which a New London child nearly starved in 2015 were electronically date-stamped the day after the child was hospitalized, indicating they were entered after the fact, the state child advocate told the state legislative Committee on Children in Hartford on Tuesday.

More >> Child advocate paints disturbing picture of DCF

Sold Out: Texas couldn’t help this sex-trafficked teen. So authorities sent her to jail

17-year-old Lena waits to be released from the Harris County Jail, with a small bag of her possessions. Her mentor gave her a blue jumpsuit to wear over her skimpy clothes.

More >> Sold Out: Texas couldn’t help this sex-trafficked teen. So authorities sent her to jail

Judge sides with '60s Scoop survivors; damages now to be decided

Canada failed to take reasonable steps to prevent thousands of on-reserve children who were placed with non-native families from losing their indigenous heritage during the '60s Scoop, an Ontario judge ruled Tuesday.

More >> Judge sides with '60s Scoop survivors; damages now to be decided

CWC gets plaint of minor being sexually abused by foster father

The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) has received a complaint of a 15-year-old girl being sexually abused by her foster father.

More >> CWC gets plaint of minor being sexually abused by foster father

Indigenous NT kids 'stolen away': MLA

The Northern Territory government is forcibly removing vulnerable Aboriginal children from their families in Arnhem Land without giving priority to kinship carers first, an indigenous MLA says.

More >> Indigenous NT kids 'stolen away': MLA

When foster care couldn't help this 16-year-old, she ran to a pimp

After her father raped her, Jean became one of the roughly 12,000 Texas kids in long-term foster care, a system that often leaves children more damaged than when they arrive. For Jean, selling sex seemed like a safer bet.

More >> When foster care couldn't help this 16-year-old, she ran to a pimp

• Texas' supposed safety net bounces underage girls into pimps' clutches

Scotland Yard facing £3m legal threat over bungled VIP child abuse inquiry

The Metropolitan Police is facing legal action costing as much as £3million from three prominent members of society who claimed their reputations were tarnished over false sexual abuse allegations.

More >> Scotland Yard facing £3m legal threat over bungled VIP child abuse inquiry

Can social work system protect the good name of those facing false allegations?

Does our social work system have sufficient safeguards to protect the good name of those facing false allegations?

More >> Can social work system protect the good name of those facing false allegations?

Former residential care worker blows whistle on system that is 'failing' children

Geelong woman Sara Purtill was a passionate artist, but she says three years as a residential care worker at homes run by MacKillop Family Services has destroyed her creativity.

More >> Former residential care worker blows whistle on system that is 'failing' children

Another Sandusky Accused Of Sex Crimes Against Children

Five years after former Penn State football assistant coach Jerry Sandusky was sentenced to 30 years in prison for multiple counts of child sexual abuse, another Sandusky is the topic of a shocking headline.

More >> Another Sandusky Accused Of Sex Crimes Against Children

Biological father's attorney breaks silence in battle for SC toddler

For weeks, WBTV has been trying to piece together every side of a South Carolina toddler's multi-faceted adoption case. There two sides and countless opinions.

More >> Biological father's attorney breaks silence in battle for SC toddler

Foster mom arrested for assaulting child

Officers of the Easton Police Department arrested a woman on Sunday, Feb. 12, for allegedly assaulting her 17-year-old foster child.

More >> Foster mom arrested for assaulting child

Utah authorities fight judge's order to remove baby from lesbian foster parents

Utah state officials have announced they will fight a judge’s order that a baby girl be taken away from her married lesbian foster parents and placed with a heterosexual couple.

More >> Utah authorities fight judge's order to remove baby from lesbian foster parents

The faulty child welfare system is the real issue behind our youth justice crisis

Somewhere along the way, many vulnerable children in state care turn to crime. How this happens and what can be done about it are two of the most important crime-prevention questions facing society. Evidence indicates that, if the care-to-crime pathway is not acknowledged and addressed, today’s vulnerable kids will become tomorrow’s criminals.

More >> The faulty child welfare system is the real issue behind our youth justice crisis

Texas House Bills Lay Out Some Initial Plans to Overhaul CPS

Texas representatives have filed legislation to start an overhaul of the the state’s Child Protective Services, following a crisis that has left thousands of kids at risk.

More >> Texas House Bills Lay Out Some Initial Plans to Overhaul CPS

From foster care to homelessness, local man shares his troubling story

For around 18 months in his early 20s, Daniel Rupert was homeless in Athens, living out of a large duffel bag, spending his days at Ohio University’s Alden Library and spending his nights in either a tucked-away part of the alley behind Chipotle, on the steps by Glidden Hall, or close to the outside heating vents near Alden.

More >> From foster care to homelessness, local man shares his troubling story

An 8-year-old boy's death has social workers wondering, 'Could I face criminal charges?'

In a case that has sent a chill through the ranks of child protection workers nationwide, a Los Angeles County judge will soon decide if there is sufficient evidence to put four social workers on trial for criminal negligence in the death of an 8-year-old Palmdale boy they were charged with protecting.

More >> An 8-year-old boy's death has social workers wondering, 'Could I face criminal charges?'

Two Arizona bills seek better data on medicated foster children

Two state legislators are pushing for improved transparency about how often Arizona's foster care children are prescribed powerful, mind-altering medications.

More >> Two Arizona bills seek better data on medicated foster children

Soon judges, not Arizona Department of Child Safety alone, could decide when to take children from families

While lawmakers debate whether to require the state's child safety agency to get a warrant before removing a child, the DCS director said he'll start doing that anyway.

More >> Soon judges, not Arizona Department of Child Safety alone, could decide when to take children from families

Traffic - Social Services Want This Film Banned In The UK, Why?

Why does the United States still let 12-year-olds get married?

Michelle DeMello walked into the clerk’s office in Colorado thinking for sure someone would save her.

She was 16 and pregnant. Her Christian community in Green Mountain Falls was pressuring her family to marry her off to her 19-year-old boyfriend. She didn’t think she had the right to say no to the marriage after the mess she felt she’d made. “I could be the example of the shining whore in town, or I could be what everybody wanted me to be at that moment and save my family a lot of honor,” DeMello said. She assumed that the clerk would refuse to approve the marriage. The law wouldn’t allow a minor to marry, right?

More >> Why does the United States still let 12-year-olds get married?

Oklahoma leads nation in abuse, neglect by foster parents

More children were abused or neglected by foster parents in Oklahoma in 2015 than any other state in the nation, according to a new child maltreatment report released by the federal government.

More >> Oklahoma leads nation in abuse, neglect by foster parents

Public School System Exposed for Reporting Parents to CPS for Homeschooling

Homeschooling your child in New York City could earn a visit from Child Protective Services for neglect — even if you’ve followed all procedures required by the public school system to withdraw from its programs.

More >> Public School System Exposed for Reporting Parents to CPS for Homeschooling

Child protective services worker arrested for false reports

An Oregon Department of Human Services employee assigned to Child Protective Services has been arrested for falsifying child abuse reports in at least 15 cases.

More >> Child protective services worker arrested for false reports

Bold changes needed to fix Children Protective Services

For far too long, Child Protective Services has languished as a fetid morass, often endangering our most vulnerable kids.

More >> Bold changes needed to fix Children Protective Services

• Frank files bills on child protection, foster care

Relatives raising foster kids desperate for payments from Kentucky

Sheila Constable didn't hesitate to take in four grandchildren when they were removed from their parents' home because of heroin addiction and other problems.

More >> Relatives raising foster kids desperate for payments from Kentucky

Girls awarded $6.2M over mom's stabbing by foster sister

An Ohio judge has awarded $6.2 million in damages for two girls who saw their mother fatally stabbed by their teenage foster sister, who had a sexual relationship with the victim's husband.

More >> Girls awarded $6.2M over mom's stabbing by foster sister

DHS employee arrested, suspected of falsifying child abuse records

Sheriff’s detectives arrested an Oregon Department of Human Services worker Thursday accused of falsifying child abuse reports, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said.

More >> DHS employee arrested, suspected of falsifying child abuse records

Report: Despite efforts, 35 kids died in state care

As many as 35 children died while in state care or custody last fiscal year — half of them less than a year old, including a dozen substance-exposed newborns, according to a new report that underscores the troubles still facing the state’s child welfare agency despite new funding.

More >> Report: Despite efforts, 35 kids died in state care

Children hurt from system designed to help

It was one of our saddest days. Three young siblings, two girls and a boy who were living at the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches in Safety Harbor, sobbed as they were driven away by a caseworker on their way to be placed in another foster home. The girls, 12 and 4, and the boy, 9, came to our campus a few months earlier after shuffling in and out of multiple foster homes.

More >> Children hurt from system designed to help

Justices say Kanawha judge made clear error in abuse, neglect case

A Kanawha County Circuit judge “committed clear legal error” by authorizing a mother to have unsupervised visitation with her infant child despite her 20-year history of abuse and neglect case proceedings, the West Virginia Supreme Court ruled this week.

More >> Justices say Kanawha judge made clear error in abuse, neglect case

Lack of foster homes spurs rise in costly contract care for province

The province’s use of contractors to provide residential resources for children in its care has edged up over the past four years, even though it’s a far more expensive alternative than foster care, figures from the provincial Children’s Ministry show.

More >> Lack of foster homes spurs rise in costly contract care for province

Attorney General seeks to dismiss claim by New London parents against DCF

The state Office of the Attorney General has filed a motion to dismiss a claim brought by the parents of a New London toddler who suffered broken bones and starved in a Groton foster home.

More >> Attorney General seeks to dismiss claim by New London parents against DCF

State auditors say Idaho's foster care system needs more oversight

The push for reform in Idaho's foster care system continues. The latest development is the results of a study requested by the Legislature.

More >> State auditors say Idaho's foster care system needs more oversight

• Study: Idaho’s child welfare system overwhelmed, overworked

Biological mom speaks out after SC girl ordered to leave adopted family

The blood flowing through 3-year-old Braelynn's veins in not from the ones she calls mom and dad. Erica Smith is the biological mother of the little girl whose custody battle has gained national attention.

More >> Biological mom speaks out after SC girl ordered to leave adopted family

Foster dad found guilty of murder in baby's death

A foster father was found guilty Tuesday on a lesser charge of murder in the 2012 death of an 11-month-old baby left in his care.

More >> Foster dad found guilty of murder in baby's death

AN APPLICATION WAS FILED ON FEBRUARY 6, 2017 FOR PERMISSION TO APPEAL THE ALBERTA CHLD WELFARE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT

AN APPLICATION WAS FILED ON FEBRUARY 6, 2017 FOR PERMISSION TO APPEAL THE ALBERTA CHLD WELFARE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT

A Class Member, initials RT, has filed an Application for permission to Appeal the Alberta Child Welfare Class Action Settlement that was approved in Court on November 13, 2015.

Some of the grounds for the Application include allegations that:

1.  The settlement provides no net benefit to the Class Members, as a group,
2.  That all or almost all of the settlement monies that are paid by Alberta Child Welfare will go to McKenzie Lake Lawyers as legal fees,
3.  The Class Members did not have a reasonable opportunity to obtain the materials that were submitted to the Court and to respond,
4.  The Class Members did not get the opportunity to question Sabrina Lombardi, the lawyer for McKenzie Lake Lawyers who filed an Affidavit in support of the settlement on November 9,
5.  Some of the materials were filed in Court on November 9, some were submitted to the Court on November 10 and some were submitted to the Court after November 10, but not filed with the Court, yet the Class Members had to respond in writing to the materials by November 10, 2015, which RT argues is unreasonable,
6.   The Representative Plaintiffs were not asked if they would agree to give the Class Members more time to respond to the materials,
7.  McKenzie Lake Lawyers claimed that the Class Action was only about making applications to victims of crime, when there were actually 5 Class Action common issues,
7.  A Representative Plaintiff swore her Affidavit in support of the settlement with a lawyer who worked at the Government's law firm, and
8.  The Representative Plaintiffs support the Appeal.
 
The following documents were filed in Court:

1.  Application
2.  Memorandum Volume 1
3.  Memorandum Volume 2
4.  Memorandum Volume 3
5.  Affidavit #1 of RT (Applicant and Class Member)
6.  Affidavit #2 of RT (Applicant and Class Member)
7.  Affidavit #3 of RT (Applicant and Class Member)
8.  Affidavit of RM (Representative Plaintiff)
9.  Affidavit of JS (Representative Plaintiff)
10.  Affidavit of DVM (Class Member)

The Affidavits that have been filed in Court include materials that show that McKenzie Lake Lawyers warned Mr. RT, that if he loses the Appeal that "we will seek costs".  However, the Affidavit of RM, the Representative Plaintiff, indicates that she does not wish to seek costs against Mr. RT.

None of the allegations in the Court documents have been proven.  The hearing is scheduled for February 22, 2017 at 9:30 AM in the Court of Appeal.

This Appeal will likely decide an important question.  Who decides if the Class Counsel opposes the Appeal?  Do the Representative Plaintiffs, who were victims of Alberta Child Welfare, decide or do the lawyers from Ontario decide?  Earlier in the Class Action, the Representative Plaintiffs were not permitted by the Court to choose their own lawyer and the Court chose the lawyers for the Representative Plaintiffs, against their wishes.

If you are a Class Member and if you support the Appeal or if you would like copies of the Court of Appeal documents, you may wish to contact McKenzie Lake Lawyers, who are the official counsel of record at:

McKenzie Lake Lawyers LLP
140 Fullarton Street, Suite 1800
London, Ontario N6A 5P2
1 800 261 4844
albertachildwelfare@mckenzielake.com

Hialeah Family Goes Missing After DCF Granted Custody Of Children

Hialeah police are searching for a family that went missing on the day three children were supposed to be put in the Department of Children and Family’s custody.

More >> Hialeah Family Goes Missing After DCF Granted Custody Of Children

Proposed Bill Would End ‘Custody For Care’

State officials and parent advocates gave different versions Tuesday of how often, and why, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) takes custody of children with severe behavioral health problems – and whether the practice should continue.

More >> Proposed Bill Would End ‘Custody For Care’

• Proposed Connecticut bill would end DCF ‘custody for care’

Metro Atlanta families upset, in limbo after adoption agency closes

A California-based adoption agency with offices across the country shut down, leaving many heartbroken in metro Atlanta.

More >> Metro Atlanta families upset, in limbo after adoption agency closes

• ADOPTION CENTER BANKRUPTCY SHATTERS DREAMS
• Adoption center's abrupt closing catches prospective parents off-guard

Woman charged with striking children at social worker's request sues police, state agency

 A woman who was charged with child abuse after she allegedly struck a state social worker’s two children with a belt – at the request of the social worker -- has filed a lawsuit against Louisville police and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, claiming malicious prosecution.

More >> Woman charged with striking children at social worker's request sues police, state agency

Washington father gets jail time for trapping CPS case workers

A Washington state father whose battle with Child Protective Services received widespread attention has been sentenced to three months in jail for restraining two state workers in an elevator.

More >> Washington father gets jail time for trapping CPS case workers

WOMAN IN FOSTER CARE COURT CASE WAITING SIX MONTHS FOR WRITTEN RULING

A woman says she has been waiting six months for a copy of a ruling after a family court judge decided her daughter should be taken from her care.

More >> WOMAN IN FOSTER CARE COURT CASE WAITING SIX MONTHS FOR WRITTEN RULING

Métis teen who died in care abandoned by B.C.’s child-welfare system: watchdog

In a damning investigation into the death of Métis teen Alex Gervais, British Columbia’s new children’s representative found serious mistakes by the provincial children’s ministry, including its failure to try to find a permanent home for Mr. Gervais, even though he had family members who were willing to care for him.

More >> Métis teen who died in care abandoned by B.C.’s child-welfare system: watchdog

Nebraska Lawmaker Seeks More Physical Restraint of Students in School — Even by Other Students

The stories from schools around the country were harrowing: Children as young as 5 being tied to chairs with bungee cords and duct tape. A 7-year-old boy dying after school staff held him to the ground, face first, for hours. A school police officer cuffing a disabled boy by the elbows.

More >> Nebraska Lawmaker Seeks More Physical Restraint of Students in School — Even by Other Students

12-year-old girl raped in orphanage

A shocking case of sexual exploitation of a 12-year-old girl at a private orphanage has come to fore after an offence was registered at Bajaj Nagar police station. The survivor, now studying in standard V, claimed that she was being exploited for last three years by a fellow inmate. Four girls, including the rape survivor, were rescued from the orphanage by police and district child welfare office.

More >> 12-year-old girl raped in orphanage

Anonymous Hacks And Takes Down 10,613 Tor Websites On Dark Web

Hacktivist group Anonymous hacks the company servers Freedom Hosting II and lay down some 10,000 web pages based on Tor, representing almost 20% of the web deep. Hackers claim that at least half of the web pages were child pornography.

More >> Anonymous Hacks And Takes Down 10,613 Tor Websites On Dark Web

Child Welfare Officer Accused Of Rape On The Run

The Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) says its attention has been drawn to an alleged act of rape committed by its Child Welfare Officer assigned in Maryland County.

More >> Child Welfare Officer Accused Of Rape On The Run

Judge mocked by Donald Trump for lifting 'Muslim ban' has fostered numerous immigrant children

Judge James Robart emerged from relative obscurity on Saturday as the first justice to come under fire from the president since he took office after his temporary order to lift Donald Trump's immigration ban.

More >> Judge mocked by Donald Trump for lifting 'Muslim ban' has fostered numerous immigrant children

Catholic use of confession to be scrutinised by child abuse royal commission

Whether what is heard in the confessional box should continue to stay there will be considered by the child sexual abuse royal commission as it again turns its focus to widespread offending in the Catholic Church in Australia this week.

More >> Catholic use of confession to be scrutinised by child abuse royal commission

Steller: Scalded girl's case shows removals, too, carry risks

We’re used to seeing how risky it can be for a child to stay with no-good parents.

More >> Steller: Scalded girl's case shows removals, too, carry risks

SC’s child-welfare agency says it needs $18 million more to mend child-safety net

Its caseloads falling but turnover still high, South Carolina’s child-welfare agency says it needs an added $18 million to improve the state’s child-safety net.

More >> SC’s child-welfare agency says it needs $18 million more to mend child-safety net

3-year-old SC girl ordered by judge to leave only family she's ever known

A South Carolina couple is speaking out about their fight to keep the little girl they believe is theirs. Three-year-old Braelynn has lived with the Tammy and Edward Dalsing since she was three weeks old.

More >> 3-year-old SC girl ordered by judge to leave only family she's ever known

Norma Bell murder: Gareth Dack sentenced to 33 years in prison

A drug dealer who killed a foster mother and torched her home to destroy the evidence has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 33 years.

More >> Norma Bell murder: Gareth Dack sentenced to 33 years in prison

Families Sue NYC For Reporting Them To Child Services When They Homeschool

New York City mother Tanya Acevedo received a home visit from Child Protective Services at 7 p.m. this winter. They were investigating her for “educational neglect” because she had legally withdrawn her child from the public system to homeschool.

More >> Families Sue NYC For Reporting Them To Child Services When They Homeschool

Privatizing Foster Care May Hurt Kids More Than it Helps

On Thursday, members of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services heard five hours of testimony from judges, family advocates, foster parents, and social workers on a sweeping bill to reform the state's Child Protective Services program. While most embraced the state's interest in revamping CPS — an overburdened system found guilty of ignoring thousands of at-risk foster kids — many raised concerns about one of the bill's promises: Handing over a foster child's rights to a private contractor, instead of a state caseworker.

More >> Privatizing Foster Care May Hurt Kids More Than it Helps

How Kentucky’s child-protective agency abandoned an 8-year-old girl in hell

Doctors suspected child abuse as soon as the girl was wheeled into Kentucky Children’s Hospital at the University of Kentucky in October 2014, three days before her ninth birthday.

More >> How Kentucky’s child-protective agency abandoned an 8-year-old girl in hell

Court Rules Kentucky Must Pay Relatives Who Care for Foster Children

A federal appeals court has ruled that Kentucky must pay relatives who foster a child just like it pays adults who are licensed foster parents.

More >> Court Rules Kentucky Must Pay Relatives Who Care for Foster Children

Scalded Arizona girl faced horrors; including living with sex offender

Before being submerged in scalding water, allegedly by the woman who recently adopted her, a Tucson 5-year-old lived with a foster father now imprisoned for sex crimes against children.

More >> Scalded Arizona girl faced horrors; including living with sex offender

Foster mom of 4-year-old dropped off at wrong house says she alerted child welfare

Patricia Hunter has opened her home to children for more than 20 years.

More >> Foster mom of 4-year-old dropped off at wrong house says she alerted child welfare

Woman convicted of sex with foster child is back in jail

A former family support worker on probation for having sex with a 16-year-old foster child has been arrested for an alleged probation violation.

More >> Woman convicted of sex with foster child is back in jail

Arizona foster care worker busted on child porn charges

A Tucson man has been charged with peddling nude pictures of children online, while he was caring for foster children removed from their homes by the state.

More >> Arizona foster care worker busted on child porn charges

Exclusive: Mom outraged after six-year-old daughter handcuffed by police in school

A mother says she’s devastated after her six-year-old daughter was handcuffed by two Peel police officers inside her school. But the force is defending the move, saying it was done to protect the child from self harm.


More >> Exclusive: Mom outraged after six-year-old daughter handcuffed by police in school

Federal ruling aims to keep Kentucky foster children in relative's care

A federal appeals court ruling aims to keep foster children in the care of their loved ones in Kentucky.

More >> Federal ruling aims to keep Kentucky foster children in relative's care

Federal government seeking cross-Canada settlement over ''60s Scoop'

Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett says the federal government wants to settle legal action around the so-called '60s Scoop — a period when indigenous children were removed from their homes and placed in care.


More >> Federal government seeking cross-Canada settlement over ''60s Scoop'

Child welfare workers held in contempt after refusing to attend hearing into the death of a teenager who livestreamed her own suicide in foster home on Facebook

A judge investigating the death of a 14-year-old girl who killed herself live on Facebook has threatened to hold child welfare workers in contempt after they failed to turn up to the hearing.

More >> Child welfare workers held in contempt after refusing to attend hearing into the death of a teenager who livestreamed her own suicide in foster home on Facebook

Teacher Gives Testimony Saying She'd Contacted Social Workers Numerous Times In Fatal Child Abuse Case

In 2013, 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez died after L.A. County Fire Department personnel found him unresponsive at his Palmdale home. Reports say that he'd exhibited signs of abuse, including burn marks and a fractured skull. Gabriel's mother Pearl Fernandez, 29 at the time, and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre, then 32, were arrested and later charged with murder. The County District Attorney's office intends to seek the death penalty for both Fernandez and Aguirre, according to City News Service.

More >> Teacher Gives Testimony Saying She'd Contacted Social Workers Numerous Times In Fatal Child Abuse Case

• Teacher Testifies Against LA Social Worker Charged with Abuse in Child's Death

What Led to the ‘Broken’ Foster Care System in Texas

This story is part of a Texas Station Collaborative series examining Texas foster care. It looks at who's involved and affected by what has been deemed a "broken" system.

More >> What Led to the ‘Broken’ Foster Care System in Texas

JURY OUT IN TRIAL OF MAN ACCUSED OF MURDERING FOSTER CARER IN ARSON ATTACK

The jury has been sent out to consider its verdicts in the trial of a small-time cocaine dealer accused of murdering a widow who had fostered more than 50 children.

More >> JURY OUT IN TRIAL OF MAN ACCUSED OF MURDERING FOSTER CARER IN ARSON ATTACK

Madison Woman Accused of Physically Abusing 3-Year-Old Foster Son

A Madison woman was arrested for allegedly physically abusing her 3-year-old foster son.

More >> Madison Woman Accused of Physically Abusing 3-Year-Old Foster Son

• Woman admits to slamming 3-year-old foster child to floor, police say
• Bond set for foster mom charged with child abuse

Tucson foster-home worker is facing federal child-porn charges

A Tucson group foster home worker has been arrested on federal charges of distributing child pornography, records show.

More >> Tucson foster-home worker is facing federal child-porn charges

Child welfare workers in Facebook Live hanging threatened with contempt

A Miami child welfare judge threatened to hold child welfare workers in contempt of court for failing to appear before her Tuesday morning to help explain “what went wrong” before a 14-year-old hanged herself while live-streaming the tragedy on Facebook.

More >> Child welfare workers in Facebook Live hanging threatened with contempt

Stolen at Birth: The Painful Legacy of Australia's Forced Adoption Policy

The institutionalized theft of babies from unwed mothers-to-be began in the aftermath of WWII, when it was considered the ideal solution to two pressing social issues: married couples unable to conceive, and the unpalatable number of single women giving birth to "illegitimate" babies.

More >> Stolen at Birth: The Painful Legacy of Australia's Forced Adoption Policy