Tuesday, February 6, 2024

NCCPR news and commentary round-up, week ending February 6, 2024

● Why do family police agencies so often turn a blind eye to rampant abuse in group homes and institutions.  The head of the family police agency in Rhode Island gave a chilling answer.  I have a column about it in Rhode Island Current 

In 2022 grandparents of an autistic boy in Kentucky couldn’t control his constant running away.  All the grandparents needed was therapy for the child and help to be sure he was never out of someone’s sight. Had they been rich they easily could have purchased both. But they’re not rich. So they had to turn to the state which offered no alternatives except institutions – and took control of where the boy would live.  He ran away from the institution and drowned. 

In 2024, adoptive parents in Kentucky couldn’t handle the behavior problems of their 15-year-old daughter.  Unable to afford the therapy she needed they turned to the state for help.  They offered no help except to take custody of the child take control of where she would live.  They parked her in foster care while waiting to institutionalize her.  She ran away.  Do I really have to tell you what happened next?  Check out the stories form WDRB-TV in Lexington and WLKY in Louisville. 

And now, more about how The Horror Stories go in All Directions:

 Honolulu Civil Beat reports that 

For more than two years, the Department of Human Services has stonewalled in accounting for its actions in the horrific death of Ariel Sellers, the 6-year-old Waimanalo girl whose adoptive parents are accused of murdering her.  This, despite federal law and state regulations that require disclosure of at least minimal information when children die or nearly die as the result of abuse and neglect. 

Now DHS can explain itself to a judge. 

From The Columbian:A Kelso man formerly employed as a Child Protective Services case worker is facing charges of third-degree child molestation and communication with a minor for immoral purposes after he allegedly sexually abused a child under his care.