Deeper investigation into reports of abuse in Oregon foster homes

Report recommends deeper investigation into reports of abuse in Oregon foster homes
Published: Tuesday, November 23, 2010, 5:36 PM Updated: Tuesday, November 23, 2010, 5:44 PM
Michelle Cole, The Oregonian 
 
Child welfare workers received nine reports about trouble in a state-certified foster home but no one seriously investigated until a 9-year-old boy was hospitalized with a severe burn and broken pelvis.

Results of an internal investigation released Tuesday by the Department of Human Services faults child welfare workers in Lane County for failing to pursue reports pointing to a pattern of abuse in a local foster home. 

It also recommends a new, specialized team to ensure that future calls concerning abuse in an Oregon foster home are promptly and properly investigated.

The 12-page report outlines the state's response to nine calls received about children living with Rodger and Alona Hartwig, who were approved as foster parents in January 2003. Five of those calls were assigned for investigation and later discounted. State workers didn't respond to four others.  FULL STORY

They will hardly scratch the surface of the level of corruption in this system.