Appellate Court backs DCF decision to fire social worker whose foster child died

Appellate Court backs DCF decision to fire social worker whose foster child died

The state Appellate Court on Monday reinstated a labor arbitrator’s decision that the state Department of Children and Families acted properly in firing social worker Suzanne Listro of Mansfield, whose 7-month-old foster child died as a result of injuries possibly sustained under her care in May 2008.

Canada Recognizes a Problem with Family Courts – Will Maine?

Canada Recognizes a Problem with Family Courts – Will Maine?


Maine is not the only area where there are very real issues surrounding the family court system. In Canada – where there has been ongoing problems within their family court system – the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that an overhaul of the system needs to take place. That the family courts have operated in a dysfunctional way for decades much as they have here in Maine. In Maine though there is a resistance to any kind of much needed reform from our courts and the divorce industry – this is one of the reasons why in Maine there is a push for reform of the broken Guardian ad litem system.

U.S. Supreme Court hears "Baby Veronica" case next week

U.S. Supreme Court hears "Baby Veronica" case next week

16 months ago, a South Carolina court ordered the adoptive parents of a child known to many as “Baby Veronica” to give her to her biological father who lives in Bartlesville. 

Foster Kids' Long Wait for Mental Health Care

Foster Kids' Long Wait for Mental Health Care

Note: Bullshit!  They start drugging them first chance they get.

I first saw "5hadow" (spelled with a 5 instead of an S) from across Granville Street on a bright day in January. His long, strong body bopped around and his unbrushed sandy hair waved, as he rapped into a microphone connected to a speaker in a shopping cart.

Ohio AG Looks To Improve Foster Care System Following Child Deaths

Ohio AG Looks To Improve Foster Care System Following Child Deaths

state's Attorney General wants to see some changes to the Ohio foster care system.

Utah mom accused of having sex with teen foster sons gets probation

Utah mom accused of having sex with teen foster sons gets probation


A Salt Lake County woman accused of having sex with two of her teenage foster sons was sentenced Monday to three years’ probation, during which time she was ordered to stay away from children — including her own.

Cookie Monster Arrested For Endangering The Welfare Of A Child

Cookie Monster Arrested For Endangering The Welfare Of A Child

A Cookie Monster impersonator was arrested for shoving a child after taking a photo with the 2-year-old. On Sunday Osvaldo Quiroz-Lopez was walking around New York City's Times Square dressed as the beloved Sesame Street character Cookie Monster.

Advocates raise concerns about Suffolk child protective services

Advocates raise concerns about Suffolk child protective services

Suffolk County has 15 fewer child protective investigators than last year -- an 8 percent drop -- and social service advocates and union leaders are raising concerns about the potential for hampered child abuse probes.

Haringey council tried to crush our family

Haringey council tried to crush our family

Speaking for the first time since a historic court case, a couple who risked losing their child and their careers describe the 22-month battle to clear their names

Haven't I been telling you these people have mental issues?

Fatigue, Unmet Expectations Tied to Post-Adoption Blues


Exhaustion and unrealistic expectations of parenthood may contribute to post-adoption depression in women, according to research at Purdue University.

MSNBC Host Melissa Harris-Perry » All Your Kids Belong To Us

Note: Say that when the welfare bill comes in.

Actually we need to get to a point where stupid people stop thinking that they have the right to determine what is best for my kid.

Parental Rights Under Attack in NYC

Parental Rights Under Attack in NYC

New York City parents, do you know what your kids have access to in public school without your consent? I’m not talking about candy and ice cream here. I’m talking about all kinds of contraception, including the morning-after pill.

Maine Families Should Not Be Stripped of Parental Rights

Maine Families Should Not Be Stripped of Parental Rights

On Wednesday, Governor Paul R. LePage vetoed a bill that would restrict parental rights by making it illegal for teenagers under 18 to use tanning booths, even with parental consent.

Gay Couple Accused Of Raping Multiple Adopted Children Will Face Trial

Gay Couple Accused Of Raping Multiple Adopted Children Will Face Trial

George Harasz and Douglas Wirt, a married couple living in Connecticut, were arrested in 2011 and accused of sexually assaulting two of their nine adopted boys. The two men had agreed to a plea deal in January, pleading no contest to one felony count each of risk of injury to a minor, a reduction from the much more serious sexual assault charges. But that deal was scuttled on Friday after new allegations of abuse by three more of the nine children came to light. And the couple have decided they want to go to trial to clear their names.

28 children rescued from baby-for-sale racket returned to their foster parents

28 children rescued from baby-for-sale racket returned to their foster parents

It was a sheer relief for 28 foster families of the children who were rescued from the baby-for-sale racket in February when the children were returned to them today.

Sex abuse victims sue CAS, foster parents for $14M

Sex abuse victims sue CAS, foster parents for $14M

Five former foster children are suing the Prince Edward County Children's Aid Society (PECCAS) and four former foster parents for $14 million for sexual abuse while in their care.

Baby P council ‘out to crush parents cleared of abuse’

Baby P council ‘out to crush parents cleared of abuse’


A couple wrongly investigated for child abuse by the council at the centre of the Baby P scandal today told how bosses tried to “crush” them as they fought to clear their names.

CPS Rats Gone Wild - Baby LK Report For April 7th 2013

Foster parent accused of collecting child porn

Foster parent accused of collecting child porn


Police arrested Timothy Johnston after finding pornographic photos on his cell phone.

Federal Funding for Child Welfare

Federal Funding for Child Welfare

Often overlooked in the health care debate is the impact of child abuse and neglect on children, their families and, yes, on already-overstrained government budgets. Despite the provision of billions of dollars a year in federal funding for child welfare, several states still struggle to meet the needs of at-risk children and families, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Poor record-keeping holds back pursuits of justice

Poor record-keeping holds back pursuits of justice

Incompetent record keeping is depriving thousands of Victorians of life-changing information, but the Department of Human Services has ''a profound conflict of interest'' because fixing the problem would allow a rush of lawsuits, a parliamentary inquiry was told on Friday.

Orphanages on list of shame

Orphanages on list of shame

Dozens of orphanages in Cambodia, including some run by Australians, have been accused of abuse, neglect or exploiting children to attract donations.

The lawyer mother who beat the social workers

The lawyer mother who beat the social workers

A barrister who fought for parents trying to keep their children found herself a victim of the same system

Paris Jackson & Mom Debbie Rowe Reconnect; Rowe Gave Away Her Parental Rights 12 Years Ago

Paris Jackson & Mom Debbie Rowe Reconnect; Rowe Gave Away Her Parental Rights 12 Years Ago 


Reunited, and it feels so good!

According to anonymous sources for several tabloid news outlets, Debbie Rowe, mother of Michael Jackson's kids Prince and Paris, is reconnecting with her 15-year-old daughter. The two have spent considerable amounts of time together for Paris' 15th birthday. A source said "the two just hung out. They've really gotten tight."