In 1993, kinship providers cared for 33% of the foster children in New York, 40% of foster children in California and 50% of foster children in Illinois.

Investigation Request

The husband of Licensing Consultant, for the Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing with the Michigan Department of Human Services accused of molestation.

Annette M. Patrick - age 22

Thirty-four years ago I was living in foster care as a ward of the state. It has been due to my own personal experience within the foster care system that I became involved in foster care reform and various parental rights issues. My involvement led to the creation of Kidjacked.com, a parental networking and resource organization.

It was during my research for the site that I became painfully aware that my last foster mother Janet L. Brundage is currently working for the State of Michigan as a Licensing Consultant for the Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing with the Department of Human Services.

My heart sank. All these years I have tried to forget what happened to me while living with Rodney and Janet Brundage. The thought never occurred to me those many years ago that I had a duty to be sure that what happened to me, did not occur to another teenager because I was in survival mode.

The Brundages' took me with them on a camping trip during the summer of 1974, while I was living in foster care with their family. I woke up one night to Rodney standing over me, touching me intimately. I was frightened and scared. I don't recall exactly what I did or said, just that when we arrived home, I wrote a letter to my boyfriend asking for his advise on the matter. Before I had a chance to mail the letter, Janet discovered the letter in my belongings.

Janet Brundage called me a liar to my face, accused me of making things up against her husband and trying to destroy her family. She proceeded to call my caseworker, to come pick me up immediately. As my caseworker was coming in the front door, I left out the back door and never looked back.

At the tender age of 14, I was out on my own, to fend for myself. I recall sleeping in the forest, eating out of garbage cans, bathing in gas station restrooms. I finally found a job washing dishes, which allowed me to get off the street. At the age of 14, I had a job, my own apartment and a very heavy burden to carry. I recall eating corn flakes and water for Thanksgiving dinner that year.

I am coming forward now, after all these years because I am terrified that I was not his only victim and that I might be responsible for the hurt and abuse of other teenagers. I am ashamed of not coming forward sooner but at the time, I was only trying to survive.

I am requesting an investigation into their previous case load and while I understand the statute of limitations has run out on my case, it is my hope that no other children be placed with this family and thereby exposed to sexual abuse by Rodney Brundage.

Regards,
~Annette M. Hall
Formerly Annette M. Patrick
Editor Kidjacked.com

E-mail dated August 4, 2008

Congressman Tim Walberg - 7th District - Michigan Responds

Dear Annette,

I received your letter describing the problems you are encountering with the State of Michigan.

The issues that you cite fall under state programming guidelines. Please understand that my office cannot intervene in matters under the jurisdiction of local or state government.

In order be of service to you, I have referred your case to the office of your state legislator, Martin J. Griffin. I trust that you shall hear from that office shortly.

Thank you for taking the time to write to me. Should you have further questions or concerns regarding a federal legislative issue, you are welcome to contact me again.

Respectfully yours,
Tim Walberg

Letter dated August 7, 2008

Congress of the United States House of Representatives
325 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515-2207
Telephone: (202) 225-6276

Editor Note: This is an exact representation of the original letter on file.

Michigan Department of Human Services Response

Dear Ms. Hall,

I am replying to your email sent to me on August 4, 2008, as well as a similar complaint that was sent to Governor Granholm's office.

A complaint of abuse or neglect against a licensed foster parent(s) would be jointly investigated by the supervising foster care agency and children's protective services. In this case, the foster care agency is no longer licensed. The Brundages are not currently licensed foster parents. Their foster home license was closed in 1981. The foster care angency's records and those of the Brundages are many years beyond the required record retention schedule. The Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing has no records on the Brundage foster home or the children who were placed in their home.

Give the timeline of your complaint, it is not possible to conduct an investigation.

Sincerely,
James B. Gale
Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing

cc: Tim Kovacik, Director
Constituent's Services, Governor's Office
Ron Hicks, Legislative Liaison

Letter dated August 8, 2008

State of Michigan Department of Human Services Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing
7109 W. Saginaw St., 2nd Floor, P.O. Box 30650 Lansing, MI 48909-8150
Telephone: (517) 335-6124

Editor Note: This is an exact representation of the original letter on file.

Michigan Department of Attorney General Response

Dear Ms. Hall,

I am writing to respond to your e-mail dated August 12, 2008, in which you report an experience you had 34 years ago as a child in foster care.

My primary responsiblity as the Attorney General is to act as legal counsel for Sate of Michigan departments, agencies and employees. My authority as Attorney General is set out in law. In general, the Attorney General may provide legal advice, opinions, or representation to governmental entities and designated public officers. The law does not permit the Attorney General to provide legal services or opinions to private individuals. For this reason, this office has a long-standing policy not to comment on private or local legal matters, such as your report of your experience as child in foster care.

The Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) is the agency that would normally investigate the abuse of a child. MCL 722.621. DHS also oversees the licensing of child care organizations. When I referred your letter to DHS to determine whether it was appropriate for that agency to act on the information you sent me. I learned that it had responded to a similar inquiry on August 8, 2008.

I am sorry that I cannot provide any additional assistance with your concern.

Sincerely yours,
Mike Cox
Attorney General

Letter dated August 28, 2008

State of Michigan Department of Attorney General
P.O. Box 30212, Lansing, MI 48909

Editor Note: This is an exact representation of the original letter on file.

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