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WKEF-TV ABC 22 News :: News - Top Stories - SPECIAL REPORT -- Protecting Foster Children
Tuesday, November 6 2012, 02:28 PM EST
SPECIAL REPORT -- Protecting Foster Children
SPECIAL REPORT -- We have brought you horrific stories about parents who starve, beat and sexually abuse their own children.  Many of those victims are, at least temporarily, placed in foster care.  It's a system designed to help, but it’s becoming overwhelmed by children in crisis.

Alton Arrasmith and his younger brother Adriel are former foster children, removed from their biological home because their parents were heroin addicts.

“Walking into the doors of my foster home was just utter depression,” said Alton.

Bounced from home to home, the brothers have seen the ugly side of the foster care system.

“I complained about it being dirty. Me and my brother were only allowed to take showers every two days and we had to share the same towel,” said Adriel.

“It's mostly just being verbally beat down. Foster parents that tell you, you’re good for nothing, you can't do anything right, you're lazy,” Alton said.

While Child Protective Services prohibits any type of verbal, physical, or emotional abuse at foster homes, they can't be there all the time.

“I do remember one time she said, I could put soap in a sock and beat you and it won't leave any marks,” Adriel recalls.

To prevent such incidents, foster parents have to take parenting classes, become certified by the state, and pass a background check.

“The ones who are the best foster parents do it because they have a genuine concern for children and they want to help children,” said Rebecca Combs with Greene County CPS.

“We realized how many kids were out there that were great kids and they just needed a safe place to be,” Greene County foster parent, Melissa said.

Melissa and her husband Jim have been fostering in Greene County for about four years. They believe so-called "bad foster parents" are rare.

“You have to be doing it because it's in your heart.  It can't be for any other reason. It's too difficult otherwise,” Jim said.

“We have some children where we suspect they are sabotaging their placement because they don't want to be there, and we understand that,” Combs said.

Child Protective Services admits problems do arise and sometimes issues slip through the cracks.  But the agency adds that poor living conditions and abusive treatment are always investigated by case workers.

“That's very important to us, that the kids are in a safe environment, not in a cluttered home. Not in a situation where they have no food or clothing because we do provide those things for our kids,” said Geraldine Pegues,

In Montgomery County, case workers are assigned about 16 different cases.  In Greene County, case workers juggle about 10 at a time.  Keep in mind, each case can contain multiple children, and every foster kid must get a monthly home visit.

“I think our case workers do a good job of staying on top of what's going on in each family,” said Pegues.

On average, foster parents, like Jim and Melissa, get about $20 a day per child to cover food, clothing and other living expenses.

“If you're doing it for the money, it’s not worth it.  It's way too much work.  Just get another job,” Melissa said.

Jim and Melissa are one of 36 homes that care for Greene County's 85 foster kids.  In Montgomery County, there are only about 350 foster families for more than 660 children in crisis.  Statewide, CPS is admittedly desperate for more foster parents, but only those who will guarantee a safe environment.

To report child abuse, or if you would like to learn more about becoming a foster parent, call Montgomery County Children Services at 224-KIDS, Greene County Children's Services at 937-562-6600, or contact your local CPS agency.SPECIAL REPORT -- Protecting Foster Children

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