Foster Care
Independent reporting on CPS, foster care, adoption and family court — the cases the system would rather keep quiet.
Louisiana Foster Child, 6, Dies of Meth Intoxication; Foster Mother Charged
A 6-year-old in Louisiana foster care died of methamphetamine intoxication in August. The foster mother is now charged with negligent homicide, and the state has explaining to do.
$4 Billion, and Still Counting: Inside the Largest Child Sexual-Abuse Settlement in U.S. History
LA County approved a $4 billion settlement for thousands abused as children in its foster shelter and juvenile halls – the largest of its kind in U.S. history.
Marks “Consistent With Compression”: Washington Documented a Foster Child’s Abuse for Years — and Left Her There
Washington social workers documented a foster child’s neck marks, bare room and removed bed – then left her in the home for years, a 2026 lawsuit alleges.
Rescued From Torture, Abused Again.
Six Turpin children were rescued from their parents’ torture, then placed in a county foster home that abused them again. A $13.5M settlement, explained.
Killed at Six, Buried in the Backyard, Unnoticed for Four Years: The Failure That Let Kennedy Schroer Disappear
Six-year-old Kennedy Schroer, born Natalie Garcia, was tortured and killed by her adoptive mother in 2020 and buried in the backyard. No one knew for nearly four years. Inside the collapse of post-adoption oversight. (160 characters)
She Died in the State’s Care. Illinois Still Won’t Say What Happened to Mackenzi Felmlee.
Mackenzi Felmlee, 18, died in her Illinois foster home after four years in state care. One assigned caseworker had eight orders of protection against her — and DCFS hired her anyway.
Mississippi CPS Reform Has a Court Problem
Mississippi seeks to end CPS oversight, but courts still override kinship placement, family preservation, and child welfare policy.
St. Louis County, Minnesota CPS Under Fire After Parent With TBI Says Court Muted Him During Critical Hearing
St. Louis County Minnesota CPS case raises concerns over due process, ADA accommodations, kinship placement, and foster care harm.
Cleveland County, Oklahoma DHS Case Raises Questions About Emergency Removal, ICWA Compliance, and Family Separation
Cleveland County Oklahoma DHS case raises concerns about child removal, ICWA compliance, due process, and family separation.
Stanley, North Dakota Foster Child Murder Case Raises Questions About Foster Care Oversight, Prior Warning Signs, and State Accountability
Stanley North Dakota foster child murder case involving Jamie and Raymond Johnson raises questions about foster care safety and oversight.
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