Where I live the state typically doesn't step in to help neglected children until there's a dead body. The courts here have called CPS all but flat out criminally incompetent because of this problem.

There are plenty of cases where children are adopted or kept by a parent who then gives them only the bare minimum needed to survive and hides them away from the public while collecting chikd support through the state. Some of the more recent cases of this in my state have been like scenarios out of horror movies.

Take a look at this case: http://www.adn.com/article/20140517/child-abuse-victim-who-received-1m-settlement-nightmarish-path-adulthood

This kid and his siblings were forced to sleep outside anyplace they could find shelter (in junk vehicles or under tarps); they were kept locked in a room without belingings and only a bucket for a toilet; they were forbidden to play outside; they were pulled out of school so their adoptive parents could "home school" them; they were beaten with fists, belts, switches, logs and pipes; etc.

The aunt of the kid tried filing complaints to help the kids, but she was ignored by the state since she didn't have any proof and the adoptive parents cut her off from the kids.

Long story short, the kid in the article is an adult now and with help from his aunt he was able to successfully sue the state for $1 million.


How much money do you think those parents were spending on raising the kids?

Probably not much at all, but if they were required to document and report (and prove) what they were spending on the kids those kids may have been saved much sooner and the aunt would have had the evidence needed to get something done.

Are you kidding? Rent in $1000. Child support $900. Done. You don't even have to get to food or anything else. As for food, a receipt isn't going to prove that that child ate the food.

Don't they have 911 in Alaska? Why didn't the aunt call 911 and wait with the child for help to show up? Or even send a registered letter? The state's got a responsibility to follow up on all concerns. No where is that a requirement of proof. The state's not doing it's job.

If the state isn't willing to even check on the kids, what makes you think that they'll check on receipts?

Seems to me that that would pull even more resources from physically checking on the kids, and more proof of CNS feeling like they'd done something.

While at the same time, giving non custodial parents ammunition to harass custodial parents.

As for home-schooling, my state is ground zero for it. About a quarter of the neighborhood has been homeschooled at one time or another. There's quarterly requirements for the parents, and yearly testing recorded on video, plus portfolios of work that must be submitted.

The aunt sent in numerous complaints, but CPS denied recieving anything (this was used against them in court eventually). She also tried to take the kid strait to the police, but the adoptive parents wouldn't let her take the kid without giving them her own infant to hold onto. Plus since the aunt hadn't witnessed any physical abuse or signs of it she couldn't exactly get the police to step in.

That's the sort of thing CPS has to investigate first, and like I said before, they don't do anything until there is a dead body. That includes if they visit the home for routine checks and witness the neglectful/abusive conditions first hand (which has happened, resulting in CPS here getting in more trouble). The only time anything gets done is if the courts get involved or police get involved due to domestic violence between the parents or because of drugs.

This is why it would have bern helpful if the aunt had had access to records showing how little the parents were actually spending on the kids. Then she would have had enough to take them to court and be heard by a judge.

The only reason these kids were saved is because one of the abusive foster grandparents who lived nearby felt things were getting out of control and tirned themselves and the parents in to the state troopers.

I read the article.

Police can and are supposed to step in where there is criminal behavior, or the child's life is at risk.

I'm not quite sure what her issue was about taking the child. She would have had to return him anyway. If the plan was to take the child to the police, (which would arguably have been kidnapping if it was against the parent's will), taking him anyway, and driving directly to the police station (without leaving her infant) or a hospital was an option (you will basically get away with this ONCE...and there had better be marks or something that would be a high likelihood of abuse).

If you're writing letters or making phone calls and not getting a response, the next step is a registered letter (this is true in almost any situation...trying to collect rent, informing someone of a bill that needs paid, etc)

Next...why would she be allowed access to records? Are you not only suggesting that receipts be required but that they ALSO be open to the public? Are you kidding me??!! So my neighbor can see what I spend??!! Can you think of a bigger invasion of privacy?

You're not thinking this through.

How about a foster care system that in person checks on the welfare of the children? How about yearly required physicals and dental checkups? How about a home school system that requires proof of an acceptable level of progress? How about Skype interviews with the children? And yes, with the last one it would be possible to delay, and clean the kids up. But a video record could easily be established, and so could a pattern of delays.

I can tell you that my kids have gone to the doctor with their own fair shared of bumps and bruises. Every time I let the kid tell the story of whatever dumb thing he did.

Let me put the privacy issue another way.

No one's got cause to know what brand and types of feminine products I'm using OR that I'm buying for my daugher. What over the counter medications I choose to buy. If I'm buying condoms (for me, my daughter or son). And if I bought soap that wasn't on sale (gasp...and that's actually a gasp...I'd be kicking myself and my ex would wonder what was wrong). Same with if I decided to buy something expensive...like the steaks I bought for Christmas dinner. I also buy in bulk, and periodically don't go to the store at all. I went twice over the past summer...and trust me, I didn't starve. Just how is that accounted for??

This amounts to a line item veto...no, No, NO.

Would you want to live like that? Would you want an ex girlfriend of yours to be able to see into your life to that level of detail? Hey, why not put a monitor of the computer screen and on your TV and they can see all that you look up and watch too.. Can't have the kids watching stuff that the other parent doesn't approve of...

I'm going to ask you politely to tone it WAY down. I come here for support, not to be attacked for expressing a belief that there needs to be more done to protect neglected/victimized children.

I come here since I can't afford therapy, and the meds I'm on are barely keeping me together with how hostile your responses are starting to get.


Did you not read where I stated that Child Protective Services in my state DOES check in on the welfare of adopted children in person? That's one of the things they repeatedly get in trouble for here in my state (since they witness these horrors first hand but don't do anything).

I haven't said a thing about you personally. I receive child support and I view the changes you suggest as abusive (and I don't use that word lightly...or probably ever before on DS) for the reasons I've already given. That said, I'm off the thread.

I've read what you said, but I will no longer express my opinion. I wish you the best.