I agree!
It's unfortunate, because for the people who aren't doing anything wrong and mistreating their kids, a more thorough investigation into each case is going to take longer, be more thorough and frustrating, etc. BUT, if it saves the lives of these kids that are continuously hurt, then it's worth it.
I get discouraged when considering the DCS failures. It's worth it to websleuthers and people reading here if added cost saves lives. To politicians who write the laws and fund the agencies? I'm not so sure.
IMO, our society still values parental rights more than children's rights. Children are more or less owned by their parents, and only egregious abuse / neglect cases result in parental rights being permanently removed.
IMO, we also do not have an adequate safety net for children who are victims of neglect and abuse, particularly children who have physical, emotional or developmental issues that predate or are a result of abuse/neglect. Older children with behavioral issues are sometimes warehoused in foster homes where they may or may not receive appropriate care or treatment. Living with responsible relatives can be a great option; unfortunately, I've also seen cases where parental custody was suspended and a grandparent was awarded (temporary) custody ... with the parent whose rights were suspended living with said grandparent. It was just window dressing. Since parental rights are often not severed completely, child victims don't have the option of being adopted if there were adoptive parents available, or the adoptive parents have to be willing to 'foster' the child indefinitely with no guarantee that adoption is forthcoming. A 17-year-old relative of mine wanted desperately to live with me rather than stay with her neglectful, itinerant mother who had repeatedly had interaction with DCS. However, it would have taken longer to challenge for custody or sue for emancipation than it would have been to wait until she turned 18 (she moved out the day after her birthday).
Then, when they turn 18, they are considered adults, regardless of whether they have any coping skills. I've seen where young adults have returned to an abusive / neglectful parent because it was either that or living homeless. Even loving relatives can't simply add dependent adults to insurance coverage or try to see that they receive treatment or therapy or life skills.
I agree that DCS often fails children and needs an overhaul, but I think our society also fails children, or, at the very least, does not place appropriate value on their health, care and welfare. Then, too often, we see the cycle repeated when neglected and abused children become parents themselves. MOO.
It was all over the news media, reporters everywhere, court appearances, everything. But who wanted to listen before her life was over? No one it seems.
