[JLMom]

KFVS NEWS

Gotta love my state.

[MommysHeart]

That is so incredibly sad.

[PressingOn]

In TN so far this year there have 31 kids that have died that either had a previous case with DCS that is now closed or an open investigation. 17 had a previous DCS case that was closed 4 were actually instate custody and died of medical issues from abuse or drug exposure and 10 had open investigations with DCS. One of these children was in my hometown and had been returned home. The child was a 1 year old and they left it alone in the bath tub and it drowned. Almost all were neglect type issues lots of unsafe sleeping environments and one fire. It breaks my heart and makes me angry. These kids didn't have to die. I thought DCS was there to protect children. 31 kids are dead and it's only September. We have to do better than this. I would love to know how many of these parents were charged with their children's deaths.

[JLMom]

What bugged me even more than the number (which was totally unacceptable) was the director's response. The deaths were unfortunate, but we just don't have the money. Well, if we would spend a little less money on coddling the bp (the ones who make zero progress for years, but still get housing & transportation & hand holding) & a little more on actually taking care of the kids maybe we'd get better results.

[PressingOn]

I know what you mean. For the person in TN it was more about the fact that they were not reporting the deaths to the law makers like the law requires than about the facts that kids are dying! Hello people wake up.

These are not just numbers these are real kids. We should be protecting the kids instead of waiting on the BP hand and foot. If it takes someone else getting them housing, food, transportation, and anything else they might need then I think that automatically means that they can't parent.

Sorry for the rant. I am not about stealing other peoples kids but some people just can't parent. The sooner the sate wakes up and realizes that the less kids will have to pay the price.

[thepastorswife]

Originally Posted by PressingOn

I know what you mean. For the person in TN it was more about the fact that they were not reporting the deaths to the law makers like the law requires than about the facts that kids are dying! Hello people wake up.

These are not just numbers these are real kids. We should be protecting the kids instead of waiting on the BP hand and foot. If it takes someone else getting them housing, food, transportation, and anything else they might need then I think that automatically means that they can't parent.

Sorry for the rant. I am not about stealing other peoples kids but some people just can't parent. The sooner the sate wakes up and realizes that the less kids will have to pay the price.

Pressing, I couldn't agree with you more.

[Jamie84]

Originally Posted by JLMom

What bugged me even more than the number (which was totally unacceptable) was the director's response. The deaths were unfortunate, but we just don't have the money. Well, if we would spend a little less money on coddling the bp (the ones who make zero progress for years, but still get housing & transportation & hand holding) & a little more on actually taking care of the kids maybe we'd get better results.

This is one place to get some more money, but the truth is even if they cut off all services to bio parents (though that would defeat the point of foster care) and there will still be a shortage of money. At least in my state.
The part that makes me so sad is that the people who CAN do something about this..state officials, policiy makers and others that can put more money into dcfs and create programs that will keep kids safer are simply reading this article, clicking their tongues and saying "see DCFS is useless, they should do their jobs better."
I agree that he sounded calus when he said it, but part of me agrees with where the director was coming from. You do the best you can wth a limited amount of money and abudence of red tape, and sometimes the best you can isnt good enough, but that does not change the fact that its the best they can do with what they have got. Sad all around.

[Katwoman555]

We had a horrible case here in my town. Mom has been involved with DHS for years and years. First started about 13 or so years ago. DHS came in and took kids after brother age 3 or 4 was playing with matches and burned his baby sister a 1 old or less when they were left home alone while she went out. She got them back. Had like 5 more kids after that. Fast forward to like 2010. Just had a baby and people started asking where her 3 year old daughter was. People reported a bad smell in the basement and blood all over a bedroom. Mom lied and said oh, she is with her Grandma in another state. DHS called Grandma who knew nothing about the little girl. Then a "friend" had her cause she couldn't handle her. They put her in jail where she told police that she had an accident and they didn't have a funeral. The older kids were questioned and made statements like Mom put her in the closet and hit her and there was blood. She was in bed and wouldn't wake up. They searched the house and found a small body burned in the firepit with toys and bedding in the back yard. It was the little girl. During her trial the Mom said she fell down stairs and was hurt. She put her in bed where she suffered and died. None of the other kids understood what happened. She was scared DHS would take her kids again. Uh, yeah let one kid die so they wouldn't take the rest again. SMH