All articles tagged with #foster care
A Ugandan street kid named Peter Mutabazi's life was transformed after a stranger, Jacques Masiko, asked him a simple question and showed him kindness, leading him to education, a successful career in child advocacy, and becoming a foster dad in the US. The story highlights the profound impact of compassion and mentorship on vulnerable children.
An Alabama contract worker, Kela Stanford, was charged after a 3-year-old in foster care, Ke’Terrious Starkes Jr., died from being left in a hot car for five hours. Stanford, responsible for transporting the child, was accused of leaving him unattended, leading to his death. She was released on bond and faces potential prison time if convicted.
A foster-care advocacy group disputes allegations that its member, James McIntyre, assaulted Rep. Nancy Mace during a Capitol Hill reception, claiming it was merely an exaggerated handshake. McIntyre, who was arrested and charged with assault, pleaded not guilty. Witnesses, including Elliott Hinkle, described the interaction as non-aggressive, while Mace reported experiencing pain and accused McIntyre of being a 'pro-trans man' who accosted her. The incident has sparked controversy, especially given Mace's stance on transgender rights.
Barry Keoghan, an Oscar-nominated actor, has criticized online trolls for using his relationship with his son as a weapon against him. Speaking on a podcast, Keoghan discussed the impact of online harassment and his challenging upbringing in foster care. He emphasized that despite public perceptions, he is not an absent father and has chosen to keep his son off social media to protect him. Keoghan, who has faced criticism about his appearance and parenting, aims to use his experiences as inspiration rather than a source of pity.
Barry Keoghan opened up about his personal experiences with his mother's heroin addiction and his time in foster care, drawing parallels to the film 'The Basketball Diaries,' which resonated with him due to its portrayal of addiction. Keoghan shared that he discussed the film's impact with Leonardo DiCaprio, highlighting a scene that mirrored his own life experiences.
Scientists at the University of California, Davis are seeking foster cat parents to participate in a survey about trimming kittens' nails. The study aims to understand different methods and reactions to nail trimming in young cats, an area with little existing research. Participants may gain useful skills and have a chance to win a $100 gift card.
A federal judge has fined Texas health and human services officials $100,000 per day for failing to adequately investigate allegations of abuse and neglect in the state's foster care system. This decision comes after years of criticism and court orders to improve the system, with the judge citing "continued recalcitrance" in conducting thorough investigations. The fines will be lifted when the state demonstrates compliance, and a hearing on the matter is set for late June. The ruling sends a strong message about the urgent need to address the shocking evidence of neglect and abuse suffered by innocent children in the state's care.
Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call about a girl in a "mental health crisis" just 15 minutes before she died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a nearby sheriff’s station. The girl, a Hispanic juvenile in foster care, had left her foster parents' home before deputies arrived. She later appeared at the sheriff’s station, where she grabbed a deputy’s gun and fatally shot herself. The incident is under investigation, and further details, including the girl’s age, have not been released.
Christian and Sibi Bale, along with co-founder Eric Esrailian, broke ground on Together California, a foster care community in Palmdale that aims to keep siblings together. The facility will consist of twelve foster homes and a community center, with the goal of providing stability to vulnerable youth. The project, supported by private donors and the city of Palmdale, is expected to be completed in April 2025 and will offer enriching services to both the children and the local community.
Actor Christian Bale breaks ground on a 16-year passion project to build a village community in California for foster children, aiming to keep siblings in the foster care system together. The $22 million project, led by Bale's organization Together California, will feature 12 homes, two studio apartments, and a community center, with completion expected by 2025. Bale's personal commitment to foster care stems from his childhood and intensified after the birth of his daughter, and he emphasized the importance of community involvement and tangible impact.
An Amber Alert was issued for two foster children, ages 5 and 1, who went missing from a home in Lake County, Florida. The authorities suspect that the biological mother, Dixie Williams, may have taken the children. The community is gated, and there were no signs of forced entry, leading investigators to review security footage. The children's father expressed concern for their safety and pleaded for their safe return. The Florida Department of Children and Families had allowed visitation between the girls and their biological parents. Anyone with information about the missing girls or the vehicle of interest is urged to contact the authorities.
An Amber Alert has been issued for two foster children, ages 5 and 1, who went missing from a home in Sorrento, Lake County. The authorities suspect that the biological mother may have taken the kids and are searching for a silver midsized Nissan that entered the neighborhood on the evening of the disappearance. The children were last seen wearing specific clothing, and the Florida Department of Children and Families had allowed visitation between the girls and their biological parents. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Lake County Sheriff's Office or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Four adoptive parents in mid-Michigan are facing numerous child abuse charges after allegedly adopting children for financial gain and subjecting them to secret abuse. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office announced charges against couples Joel and Tammy Brown, as well as Jerry and Tamal Flore, after evidence was obtained relating to the abuse of eight children adopted through their homes since 2007. The charges include varying degrees of child abuse, conspiracy to commit child abuse, and failing to report child abuse. The Flore couple faces the most charges, including several counts of first-degree child abuse, which carries a potential life sentence. The couples allegedly conspired to adopt children for financial gain, with the help of Joel Brown, a former employee of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service's children's services agency.
Attorney General Dana Nessel has charged two Lansing area couples with 36 criminal child abuse charges, alleging that they subjected children to prolonged mental and physical abuse for personal financial gain. The charges include former state employee Joel Brown, his wife Tammy Brown, Jerry Flore, and Tamal Flore. The couples are accused of adopting dozens of children who were removed from abusive homes and collecting over $1 million tax-free through the adoption subsidy program. The charges come months after previous charges against the couples were dismissed. Each of the individuals charged faces at least one count of first-degree child abuse, which carries a penalty of up to life in prison.
A group of Republican attorneys general, led by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, are criticizing the Biden administration for a proposed rule that they argue would effectively exclude Christian families from fostering children and harm the foster care system nationwide. The rule, called Safe and Appropriate Foster Care Placement Requirements, would require foster parents to use a child's chosen pronouns, name, and allow them to dress according to their self-identified gender identity. The attorneys general claim that this rule discriminates against people of the Christian faith and violates the Constitution. They argue that faith-based organizations play a crucial role in the foster care system and that the proposed rule would limit the number of available foster homes, increase costs, and decrease care options. The Biden administration has not yet responded to these concerns.