Lack of communication between child welfare and juvenile justice systems hurts foster kids, court monitors say
The court-appointed watchdogs expressed concern after learning that a caretaker accused of exploiting children at a state-licensed facility in Bastrop had been previously fired from a state juvenile justice facility for misconduct.
Donna man sentenced to 15 years for sexual abuse of a child
A Donna man will spend the next 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of a child last week, according to a news release from Hidalgo County. Abraham Aguilar Robledo, 43, appeared before the 206th District Court and entered a guilty plea to aggravated sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child by sexual contact, the release said. Judge Rose Guerra Reyna sentenced Robeldo to 15 years for each count, both sentences will run concurrently, and must register as a sex offender. “No child should have to suffer the physical and emotional trauma of sexual abuse, especially in their home and from someone that they trust,” Hidalgo County District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez Jr. said in the release. “If you suspect child abuse, please reach out to your local law enforcement agency and report it.”The case was handled by the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office and Child Protective Services, which provided the family assistance, the release said.
myrgv.comBastrop shelter caretaker accused of exploiting girls was fired from previous job for misconduct with children
State records show Iesha Greene was fired in 2020 from a state juvenile facility for having inappropriate relationships with children. The Refuge said it was aware of her previous work there, but it never requested her publicly available personnel records.
Over 100 children have died in Texas’ child welfare system since 2020, report says
Most of the deaths were attributed to “preexisting medical conditions” or abuse suffered before the children entered the system, according to the DFPS report. The numbers are on par with those reported in previous years.
Judge loses trust in Texas’ child abuse investigation of foster care facility and calls for federal inquiry
U.S. District Judge Janis Jack said she is seeking a federal criminal investigation into allegations that children were sexually abused and trafficked at The Refuge, a state-licensed foster care shelter for victims of sex trafficking.
State order harms children
Science clearly indicates that transitioning children have a lower suicide rate, depression and/or anxiety issues. Science and religion are two very different areas; however, they both tend to influence the transgender children who are transitioning. Transitioning children under professional guidance with gender conforming behaviors is the best practice for avoiding destructive outcomes. Abbott’s directive concerning transitioning children and the actions against those who support the transition. Josephine Tittsworth is executive director and Maria C. Gonzalez is financial director of Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Scholars, based in Baytown.
myrgv.comOPINION: State order harms children
Science clearly indicates that transitioning children have a lower suicide rate, depression and/or anxiety issues. Science and religion are two very different areas; however, they both tend to influence the transgender children who are transitioning. Transitioning children under professional guidance with gender conforming behaviors is the best practice for avoiding destructive outcomes. Abbott’s directive concerning transitioning children and the actions against those who support the transition. Josephine Tittsworth is executive director and Maria C. Gonzalez is financial director of Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Scholars, based in Baytown.
myrgv.comTexas child welfare official resigns, saying top agency leaders scapegoated employees
The former child care investigations director said there are agency-wide communication issues that led to a breakdown in relaying key information, but two of his staff members are the ones who suffered the consequences.
Texas CPS department’s culture kept worries about now-shuttered foster care facility from being addressed, official says
It was also revealed at a special Texas Senate committee meeting that the Texas foster care worker who allegedly sold nude pictures of girls is also accused of dating a child trafficker.
Texas Rangers confirm investigation into nude photos of children at Bastrop shelter but find “no evidence” of sex abuse
An attorney representing foster care children in a suit against Texas said Department of Public Safety director Steve McCraw’s conclusion that there was no evidence of sexual abuse despite the investigation into the photos was “both surprising and extremely troubling.”
State-licensed shelter where sex trafficking victims were reportedly abused ordered to close
The Refuge, which closed Friday, said it fired an employee accused of coercing the victims to sell nude photos as soon as it found out. The Bastrop-based shelter has not addressed the other eight staff members also accused of causing harm to the girls.
TribCast: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services investigates the families of trans children
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Eleanor and Sneha about Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive to open child abuse investigations into families providing gender-affirming care for their children.
Texas’ child welfare agency ordered to investigate trans kids’ families has been in crisis for years
The Department of Family and Protective Services has been under federal court monitoring for over a decade for violating the civil rights of kids in foster care. Now, the short-staffed agency has to investigate parents who provide their children with gender-affirming care.
Kids in foster care who’d been victims of sex trafficking endured fresh abuse at a state shelter, report says
The children were sexually abused and neglected while at The Refuge, a facility located in Bastrop contracted by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, according to a report from a current employee.
State report shows multiple investigations prior to abandoned 8-year-old’s death
A 12-page child fatality report shows Child Protective Services was involved, at multiple points, in the life of a family that included an 8-year-old boy whose corpse was found among his living siblings back in October 2021.
Texas foster care children exposed to sexual abuse, given wrong medication and neglected in unlicensed placements, new report says
The federal judge overseeing the decadelong lawsuit against Texas for conditions in its foster care system cut this week’s hearing short. She proposed all parties involved, including the governor, “cut to the chase” to identify solutions.
Black Children In Harris County Are Seized By CPS 3.5 Times More Often Than White Kids
Renequa Burch still wonders why exactly Child Protective Services took four of her five kids away from her in the summer of 2018, but she’s convinced the fact that she and her children are Black had something to do with it. According to data from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the state...
houstonpress.comParents arrested after 1-year-old daughter found dead in neighbor’s pool in Liberty County, deputies say
DAISETTA, Texas – The parents of a 1-year-old girl who was found dead in a neighbor’s pool in Liberty County have been arrested, according to the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office. It was initially reported that the child was found in the family’s pool but it was later discovered that the child was in the neighbor’s pool. On Wednesday morning, the parents, Londell Laviene and Bonnie Tarrant, were charged with interfering with public duties and also with resisting arrest. Both were placed in the Liberty County jail. AdChild Protective Services and their fatality investigation unit is also investigating the incident because the parents had another child drown in 2015 in Liberty County.
Houston nonprofit in critical need of supplies for Child Protective Services kids
Houston nonprofit in critical need of supplies for Child Protective Services kidsBEAR Be A Resource for CPS Kids BEAR Be A Resource for CPS Kids Photo: Courtesy Photo: Courtesy Image 1 of / 105 Caption Close Houston nonprofit in critical need of supplies for Child Protective Services kids 1 / 105 Back to GalleryHouston nonprofit Be a Resource for Child Protective Services' Kids (BEAR) assists abused and neglected children in care by providing basic necessities. Like many nonprofits, its resources are being stretched thin as it struggles to keep up with an unprecedented demand for its services amid the coronavirus pandemic. HOMESCHOOL HEADACHES: Homeschooling memes let parents vent about quarantinesOur warehouse typically serves 460 kids a month. An unexpected need for school supplies, art kits and educational activities for the kids is also a concern. We likely won't have the resources to get the items we need."
chron.comMom staying at women's shelter accused of slapping 7-month-old baby twice
Vivian Gooden, 25, is accused of slapping her 7-month-old baby multiple times at a shelter in March, 2019. HOUSTON - A 25-year-old woman is accused of slapping her 7-month-old baby multiple times while she was staying at the Houston Area Women's Center in March, according to documents filed in court. Gooden's roommate at the shelter told police that at about 7 p.m. on March 25, the baby became fussy and would not go to sleep. When Gooden found out that Child Protective Services had been called, she took the baby and left the shelter. Child Protective Services also took custody of the child.
UPDATE: HCSO locates father of young boy found walking alone in northwest Harris County
HCSOHOUSTON - UPDATE: Investigators located the father of a young boy found walking alone in northwest Harris county, the Harris County Sheriff's Office said in a Tweet. Investigators with the Harris County Sheriff's Office are asking for the public's help identifying a young child found walking alone in northwest Harris County early Sunday morning. HCSO deputies searched for the boy's family in and around the neighborhood but couldn't locate any of the child's relatives. The boy was transported to Child Protective Services after paramedics cleared him with no injuries. HCSO urges anyone with information on the identity of this child to call the HCSO Child Abuse Unit at 713-221-6000 or Child Protective Services at 713-394-4000.
Maryland CPS puts "free-range" parents on notice
Maryland CPS puts "free-range" parents on notice Child Protective Services is accusing a couple of neglect after allowing their 10- and 6-year-old kids to walk home alone. Now, the family is fighting back and plans to appeal to keep letting their children roam free. CBS News legal analyst Rikki Klieman joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss the family's legal limbo.
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