In partial defense of the NC child welfare workers -- the sad truth is that even if they had determined she was in danger, they might not have had a place to take her to. If NC is anything like MA, the foster care spots are full, the group homes are full, even the emergency care is full. Healthy kids have spent the night in hospital wards because it was the only safe bed to be found.
The problem isn't budget. The problem is not enough foster parents. The economy has caused many of the people who used to volunteer to require services themselves, and nobody has replaced them. There are plenty of sanctimonious people ready to scream when something goes wrong, but not so many willing to reach out and help a troubled child and maybe prevent a tragedy.
At the Agency I work with in NY, they MUST find a bed for the child. I have to say that as bad as things are here in many ways, and with the reports of how the system screws up, for the most part the Agency I work for does a good job, as best they can for the kids.
I understand your point, completely, though. Also, having done trainings for Foster Parents, being a FP is rewarding, but can be difficult. The stoires I've heard!:yow: