Losing Track of Children in State Care is National Problem
Orlando Sentinel
By failing to keep data on the number of missing children, keep cases open when children disappear and report missing children to police, government workers in state after state have lost track of the children they’re supposed to be protecting. Sept. 16. www.orlandosentinel.com/news (search for “Robinson Lowry”).
State Loses Track of 302 Abused or Neglected Kids
Detroit Free Press
The scandal over Florida losing track of its foster children prompted the Michigan Family Independence Agency to conduct its own internal investigation. It found that the state can’t find 302 abused and neglected children in its care. Aug. 30. www.freep.com/news (search for “Prentiss Rachal”).
Who Would Abduct a Child? Previous Cases Offer Clues
The New York Times
Although there’s no such thing as a typical child kidnapper, scientists who’ve studied hundreds of cases of adults who abduct children for sexual purposes say there are common traits, personalities and motivations. And in these respects, the kidnappers tend to differ significantly from the more common child molesters who do not abduct their victims. Aug. 27. www.nytimes.com (search for “David Finkelhor”).
Young People Battle to be Heard
Associated Press
When a 12-year-old Canadian girl roused the Rio Earth Summit 10 years ago with a plea to save the world for future generations, she thought, “Wow, I really reached them.” But in Johannesburg last month, serving on an advisory panel for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Severn Cullis-Suzuki says little has changed, and that the voices of young people are being ignored in favor of adult economic and political battles. Sept. 4. www.thestar.com (search for “Cullis-Suzuki).”
Corporate Scandals Tainting Donations
The Washington Post
The recent investigations of some of America’s richest corporate executives have created a moral dilemma for universities, museums, charities and politicians, wondering whether they have been the inadvertent beneficiaries of ill-gotten dollars. Sept. 15. www.washingtonpost.com (search for “Brad Agle”).
Who Are Children’s Heroes?
The Washington Times
Although the events of Sept. 11 prompted young Americans to acknowledge military and rescue workers who dedicate themselves to the well-being of others, surveys and anecdotal evidence suggest that children’s choices of role models remain unchanged. Sept. 8. www.washtimes.com (search for “Amanda Goddard”).
State Child-Welfare Payroll Includes Employees Who Have Criminal Pasts
The Miami Herald
An investigation by the newspaper found that Florida’s child welfare agency employs at least 183 people with criminal convictions, including for felonies such as child molestation, child abuse, sex crimes and drug dealing. Sept. 8. http://www.miami.com/mld/Miami/archives (search for “Arnick Alston”).
Compiled from news reports, the Casey Journalism Center for Children and Families, and Connect for Kids.
