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Kidjacked | Jacked Up
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A landmark study of 15,000 typical cases found that children left with their own parents fared better than comparably maltreated children left in foster care. California CPS News Archive
California News Coverage
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Region braces for welfare cuts
by Matt Wrye
Churches, nonprofits, food banks and social agencies across the Inland Empire are bracing for an onslaught of residents needing food, clothes, shelter and money as lawmakers hash over the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids program.
If CalWORKS gets axed, more than 1.4 million recipients statewide would lose temporary assistance for food, shelter, clothing and welfare-to-work support services such as child care, including more than 102,000 people in San Bernardino County.
Contra Costa Times
June 16, 2009
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Sorrow follows Oakland crash that killed three, injured two
by Angela Woodall
A 3-year-old boy is clinging to life after a deadly Memorial Day car crash on Interstate 880 killed his twin brother, mother and uncle. "It doesn't look good for him," said the twins' grandfather, Bill Terra, of Modesto.
Family of the boys' deceased father, Jessie Woodson Jr., said the car wreck was not the first time the twins had been put in danger. Pamela Woodson, the twins' great aunt, said they had tried for years to persuade Child Protective Services to give the grandmother custody of the twins.
Mercury News
May 26, 2009
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Elementary school students suspended for kill list and sexual threats
by Karen Velie
A group of parents allege Santa Margarita Elementary School officials have failed to provide a safe environment and have chosen to keep their children home until their concerns are addressed.
After numerous complaints, two Santa Margarita Elementary students have been suspended in the past few weeks for threats against other students. A fourth grader was sent home for producing a hit list and a third grader was suspended for making sexually violent threats against his classmates.
Cal Coast News
May 25, 2009
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Mother, 3-year-old killed in DUI crash
by Vic Lee
OAKLAND -- High speeds, an arrest for drunk driving, and 3-year-old twins not strapped into car seats. Bad decisions by adults caused a terrible car crash in Oakland Monday morning.
One of the twin boys died from his injuries Monday evening. The other remains on full life support. The boys' mother also died. The driver, Tiffany Reynolds of Richmond, is under arrest after surviving with serious injuries. Reynolds has been charged with a DUI, vehicular manslaughter and driving with a suspended license.
ABC News 7
May 25, 2009
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Man charged with sex crimes against children
by Denise Rockenstein
A Clearlake business owner was arrested Thursday and charged for sex crimes committed against a minor. Steven Wayne Mitchell, 59, of Lower Lake, faces five felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 stemming from two cases.
Mitchell was reportedly the subject of an ongoing investigation for alleged sexual misconduct with an 11-year-old Spring Valley girl, which was reported to the Sheriff's Department in October 2008. The incidents in the case allegedly occurred during Summer 2008.
Lake County Record-Bee
May 23, 2009
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CPS worker charged with forgery
by Rob Young
A Sutter County Child Protective Services employee has been charged with forging a court record and a judge's signature, the Appeal-Democrat has learned.
Sarah J. Powell, 35, will be arraigned June 1 in Sutter County Superior Court, said Assistant District Attorney Fred Schroeder. Powell was not arrested but was sent a letter ordering her to appear in court, Schroeder said.
Appeal-Democrat
May 23, 2009
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Child Protective Services Under Fire For "Baby Angel" Case
The case of a Bakersfield man with an extensive criminal history who is accused of mutilating his son has prompted many to wonder how Child Protective Services could have allowed him to have custody of the boy.
Mendoza also had more than 20 criminal cases filed, most of which were dismissed. CPS said criminal history is considered but convictions are required. Three years ago, Mendoza pled no contest to willful cruelty to a child. But CPS says that too may not be enough.
KERO Bakersfield
May 20, 2009
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CHP shooting victim's kids awarded $30,000 each
by Bob Egelko
A federal jury has concluded that a California Highway Patrol officer had no justification for fatally shooting a woman who led patrol cars on a 40-mile high-speed chase that ended on a dead-end street in San Francisco three years ago.
But the same jury awarded only $30,000 each in damages to the woman's two teenage children, who had been in foster care for the previous six years while their mother was in and out of jail on drug and theft charges. Damage awards for the wrongful death of a parent typically run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars...
San Francisco Chronicle
May 20, 2009
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Police seize 285 marijuana plants
A California man who said he was growing marijuana for medicinal use was charged after police say they found almost 300 plants in his home.
Michael Eric Newman, 46, never registered his business with Laguna Beach or the state of California, police Sgt. Jason Kravetz said. After Tuesday night's raid, Newman was charged with marijuana cultivation, possession with intent to sell and conspiracy, The Orange County (Calif.) Register reported.
UPI
May 14, 2009
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State issues final foster care plan
A state commission has released a final report and action plan on how to improve foster care for more than 75,000 California children.
Moreno said nearly half of California's children in foster care have been in care for more than two years and 17 percent more than three years. One recommendation is to have the same judge handle a case from start to end when possible. Other recommendations are for changes in law or better collaboration between courts and child welfare agencies.
ABC News 7
May 13, 2009
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Willits women face child endangerment charges
by Linda Williams
Two Willits women had a court date last Thursday to enter pleas in a child endangerment case involving an infant dropped from a second-floor balcony in January.
The child apparently suffered no significant injuries in the fall and was taken into custody by Child Protective Services. Sonja Elizabeth Olsen, 38, pleaded not guilty to child endangerment, while Lacee Marie Ross, 26, failed to appear and a bench warrant was issued for her arrest.
The Willits News
May 13, 2009
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Mom Arrested After 45 Pot Plants Found
A mother was arrested and her five young children taken into custody by Child Protective Services after Sacramento police found 45 marijuana plants, cocaine and a stolen gun in their residence.
Joy Moore, 25, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of possession of stolen property, possession of drugs and child neglect. The children taken by CPS officials ranged in age from 9 months old to 8 years old.
KCRA Sacramento News
May 8, 2009
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Santa Clara County looking for ways to prevent detention of very young children - San Jose Mercury News
by Karen de Sa
Santa Clara County is exploring new protocols that would prevent whenever possible the detention of very young children in the juvenile hall.
In a meeting Thursday of the Children, Seniors and Families Committee, Supervisor Dave Cortese pushed probation and child welfare officials to come up with a more effective tool for avoiding the circumstances that led to a five-day jail term in February for a group of siblings ages 10, 11 and 12. The children's family is said to have had a lengthy history in the foster care system.
Mercury News
April 30, 2009
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Social workers protest perceived role in children's deaths
by Molly Hennessy-Fiske
Nearly a hundred L.A. County social workers quietly protested in front of the downtown Los Angeles county building at the start of this morning's supervisors' meeting, saying they were being unfairly blamed in the deaths last year of 14 children.
Bravo and other social workers concede that the circumstances of many of the 2008 deaths were shocking, indicative of "systemic problems" in the way the department monitors and protects children. An independent monitor is supposed to identify systemic problems in the department, but supervisors have left the position vacant for more than a year.
Los Angeles Times
April 28, 2009
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With First 5 Under Attack California's Kids Will Lose Out
by Jessica Mihaly
With the state's budget in crisis, legislators are turning to any resource to pay the state's bills. First 5 to lose upwards of $1.6 billion.
First 5 Sacramento supports the Sacramento Crisis Nursery a county program that seeks to prevent child abuse and neglect by providing support, food, shelter and counseling to families in times of crisis. In Santa Clara County, First 5 provided $750,000 in matching money to help the Family Court win a five-year, $3.7 million federal grant to create a program for drug addicted mothers and pregnant women.
Consumer Electronics Net
April 28, 2009
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Melissa Huckaby: Alleged Female Pedophile and Sandra Cantu Murderer » Right Pundits
by JoAnne Thomas
Sunday School teacher Melissa Huckaby has been arrested and stands accused as a female pedophile, charged with the rape and murder of Sandra Cantu.
Sadly, women participating or committing horrific crimes against the most innocent in our society is not an isolated thing anymore. Even if the woman isn't the perpetrator, she is often complicit in that she doesn't protect the child from the man who is the abuser.
Right Pundits
April 16, 2009
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Bighorn sheep's protected habitat to shrink 55%
by Mike Lee
The rebounding but still endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep will lose 55 percent of its federally protected habitat, a development that will likely trigger a lawsuit from environmentalists.
"We do plan to challenge this decision because it fails to provide sufficient habitat for recovery of the species," said Lisa Belenky, an attorney in San Francisco with the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit animal-advocacy group with a history of disputing the government's habitat decisions.
Sign On San Diego
April 14, 2009
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Foster Care Forum
Assemblyman Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch, will host a panel discussion Friday on foster care with the new Select Committee on Schools and Community.
Titled "California Foster Care: Meeting Our Challenges," the public forum will be held from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Nick Rodriguez Community Center, 213 F St. in Antioch.
Contra Costa Times
April 13, 2009
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Mother Of Child Found Eating Out of Trash Arrested
The mother of a child found Friday eating out of the trash in Rotary Park has been arrested.
Madera Police arrested 21-year-old Jessica Zarate Tuesday morning on two counts of felony child abandonment; there was also an outstanding warrant for her arrest. Police say for the time being, Zarate's children will remain in Protective Custody until relatives or a suitable placement can be found.
KMPH Fox 26
March 31, 2009
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Mother Accused Of Killing Her 5-Year-Old Foster Son Update
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- We are learning new details about the alleged beating death of a local 5-year-old boy.
Court records show that after Kevin King died, he was found lying on the bathroom floor of his home. Authorities said they found scars, lacerations to his lips, and a fresh abrasion on his forehead.
KERO Bakersfield
March 27, 2009
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K-8 Community Independent Study Home School Information Night
by Placer County Office of Education News
The Placer County Office of Education K-8 Community Independent Study Home School Serving K-8 families for over 18 years will be hosting a Program Information Night.
For those interested in enrolling in the 2009 - 2010 school year, there will be information on classes, curriculum, teacher support, field trips and more. Information will take place on Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30 - 7:30 pm.
Rocklin & Roseville Today
March 19, 2009
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Report: Benefits Outweigh Costs 2 - 1 In Providing Foster Care Support, Services To California Youth To Age 21
by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass
According to a new report released today, continuing support for older youth in foster care can create substantial cost savings for California while helping build better lives and futures for some of the state's most vulnerable young people.
The report states that the net cost of extending foster care to age 21 in Illinois is approximately $37,948 per youth. Available information suggests that the cost of extending care in California may be less. Under the federal-state partnership created by recent passage of federal legislation, the federal government is expected to pay approximately 50% of these costs.
Yuba Net
March 9, 2009
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Advocates Want Foster Care Extended
Some California officials are pushing a plan to extend foster care for kids until they are 21-years-old. They cite a new study that says it would save the state millions of dollars in the long run.
California isn't exactly flush with money right now, but the federal government passed a law last fall that offers $80 million in matching funds, if the state keeps young adults in foster care after they turn 18.
KCBS
March 9, 2009
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California octuplets mom in Hiding
by Sunshine Simmons
Nadya and her six children have been staying at an undisclosed location since she created her bsite, thenadyasulemanfamily.com/ and started receiving death threats and other hate mail.
Nadya Suleman actually thought that the world would pour out their sympathy and donate money to support her family that she so selfishly created. No diaper companies, clothing companies, or car seat companies have jumped at the chance to donate to Suleman.
Portland Parenting Examiner
February 12, 2009
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Welcoming Schools Guide Teaches Tolerance
by Ellen Kahn
One year ago, 15-year-old Lawrence King was shot in the head by a fellow student at a middle school in Oxnard, CA.
While the motives of 14-year-old Brandon McInerney were complex, the primary motive was profoundly simple: Lawrence was gay, he often preferred girls' clothing and accessories, and he expressed romantic feelings toward Brandon.
The Huffington Post
February 12, 2009
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