Foster Child Starves as State Banks Cash

INVESTIGATORS: Foster Child Starves as State Banks Cash
Contributor: Ann Mullen
Email: amullen@wxyz.com
Last Update: 7:00 pm
FOSTER CARE: Investigative producer Ann Mullen explains the story of a child who starved to death
FOSTER CARE: Mother says her son would still be alive if he was kept at home

Slideshow
Johnny's mother tried to get help for her disabled child. Instead, a Michigan agency took him away, collected thousands of dollars to feed him each month... And then he starved to death.

You’ll see the first piece of our Investigation Thursday night at 11 on Channel 7 Action News.
(WXYZ) - All she wanted was help caring for her wheel-chair bound son Johnny. The state’s answer was to put him in a foster care facility. Johnny’s mom would have preferred to have someone help her at home, but the state only offers very limited services. A year after Johnny was in foster care, the 10-year old boy starved to death.

We have all heard the horrendous cases of kids who were abused and some who died in Michigan’s foster care system. Our story exposes the state’s financial incentive to keep kids in the foster care system. Federal law sets it up that way—the more kids in the state system, the more money the federal government gives Michigan.

The foster care facilities contracted with the state cash-in too. In Johnny’s case, the foster care facility got $12,000 a month to care for him. It is a heart-wrenching case that illuminates problems in the system, including how difficult it is to get your children out of foster care. Johnny’s mom fought to get him out of the system, but he died before she succeeded.

For several months, the Action News Investigators dug deep into Michigan's tragically flawed foster care system. Along with Johnny's story, we also met a father who fought all the way to the state Supreme Court to get his boys out of the system. The state’s main reason for terminating his parental rights was his finances. We all know people who are struggling in this economy—and as one attorney said, if it can happen to him, it can happen to anyone.

The state is making some changes as a result of a class action lawsuit. A court-appointed monitor now oversees the Department of Human Services. Progress is underway, but some critics say more needs to be done to help parents keep their children rather than put them in a flawed foster care system.

You’ll see the first piece of our Investigation Thursday night at 11 on Channel 7 Action News. Watch and let us know what you think of state's foster system and it's ability to care for the children of Michigan.

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