Temporary foster parent denies molesting 2 girls in his care

Temporary foster parent denies molesting 2 girls in his care:

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A 68-year-old Billings man has denied charges of molesting two girls who were in his temporary care as a foster parent.

Forced Removal of Native American Children From Parents Exposed in 13 Minutes

Forced Removal of Native American Children From Parents Exposed in 13 Minutes | WGBH News:

A 13 minute documentary about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), set up in Maine to investigate the forcible removal of Native American children from their homes over many years, debuts today.

Ex-Planned Parenthood Worker of 17 Years Explains Her Problem With 'Webcam Abortions'

California Enacts Legislation To Limit Psychotropic Medications For Children In Foster Care

California Enacts Legislation To Limit Psychotropic Medications For Children In Foster Care - OPEN MINDS:

On October 6, 2015, California Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation to increase state oversight and to limit the amount of psychotropic medications prescribed to children in foster care. The legislation was a package of three bills: Senate Bills (SB) 484, 319, and 238. A provision of SB 484 calls for the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), and stakeholders to establish a methodology to identify group homes that have disproportionately high levels of psychotropic drug medication. About 25% of children in California’s foster care system overall, and about half of those placed in group homes, are prescribed psychotropic medications.

13-year-old Foster boy accused in fatal shooting of Foster girl, 12

13-year-old boy accused in fatal shooting of girl, 12 - StarTribune.com:

JASPER, Mo. — A 13-year-old boy deliberately shot and killed a 12-year-old girl outside a foster home in rural southwest Missouri where they both lived using a gun he had taken from the house, the local sheriff said Friday.

Key official with child protective services placed on paid administrative leave

Key official with child protective services placed on paid administrative leave:

GREAT FALLS, Montana — One of the top officials with the state agency charged with protecting children from abuse and neglect has been placed on paid administrative leave, the Department of Public Health and Human Services confirmed.

Medical error rips yet another family apart forever

Medical error rips yet another family apart forever - Telegraph:

Been There!!!

Family courts have been ignoring the evidence and confiscating children from innocent parents.

Manitoba child welfare system hiding behind privacy law: Nepinak - Manitoba

Manitoba child welfare system hiding behind privacy law: Nepinak - Manitoba - CBC News:

The head of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs says the provincial child welfare system is using privacy laws to avoid dealing with families who want to reunite.

Former Foster Parent Exposes How CPS Kidnaps Kids Away from Good Homes – Puts them on Drugs

Former Foster Parent Exposes How CPS Kidnaps Kids Away from Good Homes – Puts them on Drugs:

By Nehemiah Flynt
author of Legal Discrimination

I became a foster parent with the intentions of putting a roof over the heads of orphaned children. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

By the time I completed the training process, I understood that the majority of the children that would be entering my home were not orphans. I was brainwashed into believing the children had come from abusive and neglectful homes. I was told the state had rescued them from horrible living environments and that I was somewhat of a hero for taking them in.

They were all lies. It took several years for me to truly see what I had become a part of.

Child Protective Services was stealing children from loving biological families. 

Grandparents' bids for child custody imperiled

Grandparents' bids for child custody imperiled | TribLIVE:

State law no longer sides with grandparents who seek visitation rights of their grandchildren in Judge Harry Smail's Westmoreland County courtroom.

California foster care: New laws signed to restrict psychiatric drugs

California foster care: New laws signed to restrict psychiatric drugs - San Jose Mercury News:

SACRAMENTO -- Creating sweeping new protections for tens of thousands of California's most traumatized children, Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday signed the nation's most comprehensive set of laws to curb the overprescribing of psychiatric drugs in foster care.

Babies For Sale, In A Market Near You

Babies For Sale, In A Market Near You:

The black market in baby sales is a predictable shadow enterprise of foreign surrogacy markets. The open question is how long it will remain a back-alley economy. Considering the form and function of the multi-billion-dollar child production industry, and the public shrug at its operation, the wonder may be that direct infant sales are still illegal.

CFS refuses to return kids to 'wonderful' mom, says advocate

CFS refuses to return kids to 'wonderful' mom, says advocate - Manitoba - CBC News:

Mom says she's done everything CFS has asked, and more, but agency refuses to return her children

Our View: Can anyone hold DCS accountable?

Our View: Can anyone hold DCS accountable?:

Our View: Arizona's child welfare agency remains mired in failure, while its director continues to shift blame.

DCS: Some workers ill-equipped to properly assess children at risk

DCS: Some workers ill-equipped to properly assess children at risk - ABC15 Arizona:

She never checked medical records. Never checked any police records.” Slava Kostadinova is talking about her Department of Child Safety case worker who she said did little to investigate her claims of neglect against her son.

State settles with family in Bell massacre

State settles with family in Bell massacre:

DCF records show the agency had investigated the Spirit family 18 times for allegations of child abuse and neglect since 2006, including a hotline tip just weeks before the murder-suicide.

Did adoptive mother's neglect lead to child's death?

Did adoptive mother's neglect lead to child's death? | MLive.com:

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Rebecca Cotes adopted her infant niece to save her from abuse and neglect, but now it is the 27-year old who faces prison for alleged neglect that resulted in the toddler's death.

State legislators gather to discuss 'systemic problems' at state

State legislators gather to discuss 'systemic problems' at state - KULR8.com | Local News, Weather & Sports | Billings, MT:
BILLINGS -
Current and former state legislators gathered outside the Yellowstone County Courthouse Tuesday to protest what they call systemic problems at the state's Child Protective Services. 

Family awarded $31 million in case vs. DCS workers

Family awarded $31 million in case vs. DCS workers - TheIndyChannel.com:

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Department of Child Services has been ordered to pay $31 million to a family accused of abuse in the death of their daughter.

Child care worker admits to sex crimes with girl, 15

Child care worker admits to sex crimes with girl, 15:

ZANESVILLE — A 34-year-old man admitted Monday to engaging in sexual conduct with a 15-year-old girl who lived at a center for abused children where he worked for more than five years.

Lithuanian Woman Sentenced to 10 Years for Child SexTrafficking

Lithuanian Woman Sentenced to 10 Years for Child Sex... | Patch:

Giedre Ruseckaite, 24, a Lithuanian citizen who has resided in Nevada, was sentenced on October 2, 2015 to 120 months in prison for sex trafficking of a child, according to an announcement by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Ruseckaite pleaded guilty on June 26, 2015.

A Rising Tide of Foster Care Entries

A Rising Tide of Foster Care Entries:

The federal government issued its new foster care data report on Sept. 18, and the news was startling. Foster care caseloads were up substantially for the first time in a decade. Between 2013 and 2014, the number of children in foster care increased from 400,989 to 415,129, which is an increase of 3.5 percent. This was the second consecutive increase in foster care caseloads.

On CPS: "The progressive case for parents’ rights is worth taking seriously"

On CPS: "The progressive case for parents’ rights is worth taking seriously" - Overlawyered:

The critique of Child Protective Services agencies advanced lately by the free-range kids movement should find a readier echo on the left, writes Michelle Goldberg in The Nation. “Progressives have not, in general, seen CPS as worthy of the same suspicion as other forms of law enforcement,” yet minorities and poor persons are exposed to its scrutiny and pressure if anything more intensely. 

Woman loses lawsuit against DHHS

Woman loses lawsuit against DHHS | New Hampshire:

CONCORD — A federal court judge has ruled against a former state employee in her lawsuit against the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services that alleged her former employer put her in an “untenable position” by forcing her to choose between breast-feeding her child and retaining her job.

Documents Show a Portland Foster Care Provider Wasted $2 Million on “Lavish Expenditures”

Documents Show a Portland Foster Care Provider Wasted $2 Million on “Lavish Expenditures” - Willamette Week:

State regulators are shutting down Give Us This Day, an embattled Portland foster care agency that got $1.5 million a year from the state of Oregon to care for some of the state's most troubled children.

The UK Social Services' Disgusting And Corrupt Abductions - Amount of Children Being Taken Into Care Hugely Rising

The UK Social Services' Disgusting And Corrupt Abductions - Amount of Children Being Taken Into Care Hugely Rising AnonHQ:

Can you imagine your kids being taken away from you due to false allegations? Because you said something wrong? Because someone who lives in your neighbourhood is ‘apparently’ a rapist?

Former Lee Co. social worker indicted by Bell Co. Grand Jury on meth charge

Former Lee Co. social worker indicted by Bell Co. Grand Jury on meth charge - Middlesboro Daily News - middlesborodailynews.com:

A former Lee County, Virginia social worker has been indicted by the Bell County Grand Jury. Amanda Celeste Szemak, 38, of Middlesboro, was indicted for first-degree trafficking a controlled substance, greater than two grams of methamphetamine.

Adopted woman finds birth family through Facebook and DNA

Adopted woman finds birth family through Facebook and DNA - Olean Times Herald: News - Adopted woman finds birth family through Facebook and DNA: News:

ELLICOTTVILLE — Not every adoptees’ search for their birth parents or family is successful, but for Michelle Sischo it’s come pretty close.

Kinship Foster Care On the Rise

Kinship Foster Care On the Rise - Hartford Courant:

NEW BRITAIN — It boiled down to an emergency.

After the tragic death of her son, Sonia Levy-Reid's twin grandsons, then 3, were on the verge of entering the unpredictable foster-care system. The sister of the children's mother had been taking care of the boys. The sister called Levy-Reid one day in the late winter of 2014 and said she was ending the arrangement.

A Year After Emergency Room Visit, North Carolina Couple Still Fighting for Medically Kidnapped Newborn

A Year After Emergency Room Visit, North Carolina Couple Still Fighting for Medically Kidnapped Newborn:

In what is becoming an all-too-familiar scenario, a young couple living in Fayetteville, North Carolina, took their baby to the emergency room when he was not acting right, only to find themselves almost a year later still battling to try to bring their child home out of Child Protective Services custody. 

Today is the Ten Year Anniversary of Isabella Being Stolen by Nashua, NH DCYF

Ten years ago today, my beautiful Granddaughter Isabella was stolen by Nashua, NH DCYF and handed over to stranger's, because in Nashua, "Relative placement is NOT an option". Hoping one day Isabella will be home to celebrate my birthday with me! I love you Isabella and will never stop fighting for your return.

Governor Hassan Announces State to Initiate Independent Review of DCYF

Governor Hassan Announces State to Initiate Independent Review of DCYF | New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan:

It's about time!

For Immediate Release
October 2, 2015

Contact:
Communications Office
(603)271-2121

Governor Hassan Announces State to Initiate Independent Review of DCYF

CONCORD – In light of concerns raised by law enforcement after the murder of a Manchester toddler – and an initial review by the Department of Justice – Governor Maggie Hassan announced today that the state will initiate a comprehensive, independent review of the child protective services of the Division of Children Youth and Families (DCYF).

“We deeply grieve the loss of any child,” Governor Hassan said. “If as a state we missed any opportunity to save a child’s life, it is a tragedy and a failure – one that we must do everything possible to prevent in the future. Our society rests on the fundamental principle that all children must be able to grow up in a safe environment, and in the rare instances where their families harm them, we must protect them.” “That is why, based on Attorney General Joseph Foster’s initial review and recommendations, I am ordering an independent, top-to-bottom, expert review of New Hampshire’s child protective services.”

After the death of 21-month-old Sadie Willott in Manchester in early September, law enforcement raised concerns about DCYF’s involvement in the case. As a result, the Attorney General began a review, looking at the Willot case and other cases the Attorney General’s office had handled. The Attorney General also reached out to county attorneys to review cases that had been handled at the county level. Based on his initial review, the Attorney General recommended a thorough, independent review of DCYF.

“This independent review will examine DCYF’s handling of the cases of concern, but also their processes, staffing, training, caseloads, and the laws that they operate under,” Governor Hassan said. “And as findings and recommendations come forward, we will implement them as soon as possible.”

The Department of Justice will play an active role in the review and will also make recommendations to the commission headed by Senator David Boutin, which is looking at how to improve state laws to better protect children.

“Our preliminary review of Sadie Willott’s death and other homicide and assault cases involving child victims raised significant concerns about DCYF’s prior contacts with those families,” said Attorney General Foster. “We welcome the assistance of an outside expert to conduct a review and determine what steps can be taken to better assure the safety and security of New Hampshire’s smallest and most vulnerable citizens. We remain committed to assisting the Executive Branch and the Legislature as they continue to address this critical and fundamental issue.” 

Report: Auburn children suffered heat stroke; DCF policies not followed

Report: Auburn children suffered heat stroke; DCF policies not f - 7News Boston WHDH-TV:
AUBURN, Mass. (WHDH) -
According to a Department of Children and Families report released on Thursday, 2-year-old Avalena Conway-Coxon, who died while living at an Auburn foster home, suffered a heat stroke.

Gov cites DCF’s ‘blatant lack of oversight’ in Auburn foster child’s death

Gov cites DCF’s ‘blatant lack of oversight’ in Auburn foster child’s death | Boston Herald:

Child welfare bosses moved to discipline two state workers after an internal investigation revealed multiple agency missteps before the death of a 2-year-old and the hospitalization of a 22-month-old living in an Auburn foster home. Gov. Charlie Baker called the case a “blatant lack of oversight” by the Department of Children and Families at a midday press conference.

Manchester chief: DCYF failed to protect child

Manchester chief: DCYF failed to protect child | New Hampshire:

MANCHESTER — New Hampshire social workers failed to protect Sadie Willott, the 21-month-old child whose mother faces homicide charges in connection with her death over the Labor Day weekend, the city’s police chief said Wednesday.
“In the Willott homicide, DCYF failed to protect Sadie,” Police Chief Nick Willard said during an interview with a New Hampshire Union Leader reporter. He also said DCYF did not initially cooperate in the investigation, unlike in previous investigations into similar child abuse cases.
My comment:
"In the past, DCYF Administrator Lorraine Bartlett has said that family reunification is the first and foremost goal of her agency." Is that a fairly new concept?
“We want to be able to continue to provide the support and services to that family, so whenever possible children can be returned to their parents,” she told the Union Leader last December. Is this also a new concept? Maybe Lorraine Bartlett is much better qualified as DCYF Administrator than her predecessor Maggie Bishop. While Bishop was at the helm, at risk families never received any services or support from DCYF. The norm was to take the child and run. Evidence of innocence wasn't allowed. A false report was all it took to steal a child. Even a "Proven" false report. Does DCYF even look for relatives for placement of the stolen children, or is it still the same? "Relative placement is not an option. The child is going into Foster care, period."
Why in the world was Brielle and her siblings returned to their Mother, while felony child abuse charges were pending? While Bishop was at the helm, parent's whose criminal charges were dropped,(only because evidence of innocence was allowed in Criminal Court), still never got their children back. And the charges were for child endangerment, not mental or physical abuse. And what about the Mother's in NH who have lost children to the State, for prescribed medication while pregnant? Or almost lost the child because DCYF protocol is for Hospital's to report Mother's whose children show symptom's of withdrawl from prescribed medication given to the Mother?What about Medication, given in labor, that spill's into the unborn child? These children are stolen and never returned.
How about the Police taking over like they did in times past? They know REAL abuse when they see it. These children would probably be alive today. If DCYF wasn't so busy railroading innocent parent's AND their families, with frivolous nonsense accusation's, they may have had the time to save these children. This is REAL abuse! REAL abuse that took the lives of these two beautiful children!

Bonds Broken, Lives Shattered

Isabella and Grammie

Grampie and Austin before he was stolen

When the State step's in and takes a child, familial bonds are broken. Not only are the children's lives shattered, but so are all family member's. The trauma takes it's toll on the entire family. The children suffer due to the loss of the family member's they bonded with. Not just their Mother and Father, but their Grandparent's and Aunts, Uncles and Cousin's as well. 

The children are thrust into a whole new world, without their family guiding their way. Wondering what they did wrong to deserve this punishment. Wondering why their family is no longer there for them, feeling unwanted and unloved. I can just imagine the pain these children are going through, day after day, longing for their REAL family. Wondering if they will ever see their REAL family again. The family they grew to love and shared that special bond with.

Not only does the child experience the pain and suffering at the loss of their family, so does the family member's who bonded with these children. The family member's who in some instances, helped deliver the child at birth. The family member's who aided the Mother's throughout their complicated pregnancies, just to make sure these children were born healthy. The Grandmother's who indeed bonded with these children, as if they were their own. Sang them lullabies, rocked them and made sure everything was prepared for their homecoming. Little did they know, their new grandchild would never come home. The grandchild would be stolen by the State, where relative placement is never considered. Where familial bonds mean nothing as far as the State is concerned. Where innocence means nothing and family member's get dragged in and slandered, though always denied standing in Court. Never allowed to speak. Never allowed to face their accuser's. Never allowed to be a "Party in the case". Never allowed or even considered custody of the child.

So yes, I know exactly what the children must be going through. My family's lives have been shattered along with my grandchildren. The pain is like no other. I go to bed thinking of my stolen grandchildren. I wake up thinking of my stolen grandchildren. I worry about them all the time. They are part of me. My blood runs through their vein's. With death there is closure. When a child is stolen, there is no closure. Our lives are not the same. The memories keep flowing. There's no way of stopping them. The pain is never ending. You can no longer function the way you used to. You can't do the things you used to. You can't bring yourself to do the things you used to do when your grandchildren were by your side. Their favorite toy's make you cry. Their hand prints they gave you stay hung on the wall's. Your wall's become a shrine, filled with their pictures, hoping and praying they will come home where they belong. 

Our lives are definitely not the same. We no longer trust. We watch our backs and protect our family like a lion protects her cubs. 

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that our own Government would let anything so horrendous happen to our families. So yes, our lives are shattered. We are denied the right to raise our own family.

Another DCYF Fail-Nashua mom claims falls killed tot

Nashua mom claims falls killed tot | New Hampshire:



Brielle Gage of Nashua would have turned 4 earlier this year; she died last fall from blunt-force trauma. 

NASHUA — New details are being released about the injuries suffered by 3-year-old Brielle Gage before her murder last fall, including the final moments leading up to her death.

Baker outlines DCF changes in wake of high-profile deaths

Baker outlines DCF changes in wake of high-profile deaths - The Boston Globe:

Buffeted by a series of high-profile child abuse cases, Governor Charlie Baker pledged Monday to replace a patchwork of policies at the state’s Department of Children and Families with a clear, standardized playbook aimed at protecting children from violent crime at the hands of those closest to them.

Lawsuit: Gov. Haley, DSS agree to give more protection to foster children

Lawsuit: Gov. Haley, DSS agree to give more protection to foster children | The State:

COLUMBIA, SC 

Under pressure from a federal class action lawsuit, Gov. Nikki Haley and S.C. Department of Social Services Director Susan Alford have agreed to make major changes in how South Carolina’s foster children are protected by the state’s child-welfare agency.

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/incoming/article36855633.html#storylink=cpy

Foster Care Children Aren't Getting Good Medical Care

Foster Care Children Aren't Getting Good Medical Care : Shots - Health News : NPR:

On any given day, about half a million children are living in foster care. They've been removed from violent or abusive households; many suffer physical and mental health problems that have gone untreated.

Authorities investigating state’s child welfare agency

Authorities investigating state’s child welfare agency | WPRI 12 Eyewitness News:

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — State authorities areinvestigating possible financial mismanagement at Rhode Island’s troubled child welfare agency, officials said Wednesday, weeks after an audit cited problems in department management and financial controls.

3 Oppressive Texas CPS Agents Receive Felony Indictments

3 Oppressive Texas CPS Agents Receive Felony Indictments:


Police mugshots. 
Indictments were handed down last Thursday to 1 of the 3 Child Protective Services (CPS) subordinates who were charged with Oppression, a (misdemeanor), tampering with evidence, and falsifying and forging documents to conduct illegal searches and seizures, which are third degree felonies, punishable upon conviction by a maximum sentence of from two to 10 years in prison and an optional fine of up to $10,000.

Medically Kidnapped Child in LA County DCFS Care Dies – Father Vows to Expose Criminal Social Workers

Medically Kidnapped Child in LA County DCFS Care Dies – Father Vows to Expose Criminal Social Workers:

A report written about LA County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) revealed that during an 18 month period, of the thousands of children who were taken away from their parents and family members, 570 of them died while under the supervision of LA County DCFS. (Source.)

On Sunday September 28, 2015 Jason Janbahan appeared on the National Safe Child show to tell his story, and how a corrupt social service agency in LA County was responsible for the kidnapping and death of his 5 year old son.

Reforming Washington courts to mend, not end, family ties

Reforming Washington courts to mend, not end, family ties | Crosscut:

When it comes to families that the state breaks apart, media attention and public awareness tend to fixate on the most horrific side of child welfare — sensational cases of sexual abuse, imprisonment, and torture. But two-thirds of the cases that CPS brings against parents are for neglect, not abuse.

“Terrorism” of Child Welfare System to Families to Be Addressed in Arkansas Legislature

“Terrorism” of Child Welfare System to Families to Be Addressed in Arkansas Legislature:

Families caught up in dealing with Child Protective Services nationwide are frustrated with a system which allows families to be terrorized and destroyed, often based on unproven allegations and even outright lies. Legislators in Arkansas will be hearing from families and attorneys on Thursday, October 1 at 1:00 pm in a Joint Performance Review Committee meeting, who will be explaining why there needs to be an overhaul or even elimination of the current child welfare system. 

Man charged with sexually assaulting girls in foster care

Man charged with sexually assaulting girls in foster care | Missoula Local News - NBCMontana.com:

BILLINGS, Mont. -

A 68-year-old Billings man is charged with sexually assaulting two girls who are in foster care.

A Foster Care Tragedy

A Foster Care Tragedy | The Kansas City Star:

Child protection expert Lori Ross reacts to murder charges against foster child who fell through the cracks.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/article36934674.html#storylink=cpy

News Release:Boutin emphasizes role of Commission to review child abuse fatalities

New Hampshire SenateNews Release

For Immediate Release:September 29, 2015

Boutin emphasizes role of Commission to review child abuse fatalities

Concord, NH - Today, the Commission to review Child Abuse Fatalities met to hear from the Director Lorraine Bartlett and Chief Legal Counsel Byry Kennedy for the Division for Children Youth & Families (DCYF) to learn about the process by which child abuse or neglect is reported and investigated by the state.

“There have been a handful of recent local cases where parents have been found responsible for the death of a child following a period of abuse. This Commission is designed to better understand the course of action by which instances of child abuse or neglect is reported and investigated and how the State of New Hampshire can improve this process to eliminate instances where parental abuse results in the death of a child or infant,” said Senator David Boutin, Chair of the Commission to review child abuse fatalities.

“We have a responsibility to the families and children in the state of New Hampshire to ensure that investigations into a child’s wellbeing are effective and that we are doing everything we can to put a stop to tragic outcomes caused by abuse that we’ve seen in the past.”

###

The Broken Bond: Stolen Babies Stolen Motherhood Viewed Through a Trauma Perspective

The Broken Bond: Stolen Babies Stolen Motherhood Viewed Through a Trauma Perspective | Apology Alliance Australia:

When the sacred bond between mother and infant is broken it is a traumatic event that inflicts life-long physical and emotional pain (Pearce: 1992; Verrier: 1997).  In Australia during most of the 20th century there was a government sanctioned policy of forcibly removing the newborns of unsupported unwed mothers at or soon after birth.  This was not only  unethical and illegal, but violated their civil and human rights (Sherry: 1992; Harper: 1978; MacDermott: 1984). This article will discuss the past removalist policy and its effects on mothers, their now adult children and other family members, who carry the life-long psychological and emotional scars. It will also examine and discuss the underlying neuro-biological processes of birth and the affects of interfering in its completion.

Surveillance Videos Show Foster Children Abuse in Connecticut

Surveillance Videos Show Foster Children Abuse in Connecticut:

Statistics and studies clearly show that children left in families, even troubled families where “abuse” is alleged, than when they enter the foster care system. (See: Foster Care Children are Worse Off than Children in Troubled Homes – The Child Trafficking Business.) These very disturbing videos of foster care children being abused in Connecticut clearly show how ineffective Child Social Services has become all across America.

It is time to abolish this system, by cutting off the federal funding, and allowing communities to work with troubled families and keeping children with their families.

Conn. Child Advocate Releases DCF Surveillance Videos Showing Illegal Restraint, Isolation