How Could You? Hall of Shame-Dee Saint Franc case

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Rhode Island, former foster child Dee Saint Franc learned someone had stolen her identity.

“”When I did move out on my own, I went to open an account for my cable and my Internet, and then I gave my social security number they said we can’t open an account with you because you have an outstanding balance of over $3,000,” she said.

St. Franc learned someone took out an account in her name when she was eight years old [the age when she entered the foster care system.] She said she didn’t know who did it.”

“Despite social services and state aid, foster children don’t have the same network of support to protect them from being victimized. They also don’t have the same resources to help them dig out of fraud and consequent debt should it happen.

“From our personal experience just in the past year at the Foster Parents Association, I can personally think of six or seven cases,” said Lisa Guillette, executive director of the Rhode Island Foster Parents Association.

NBC 10’s I-Team learned that many young adults who have aged out of foster care and have had their identities stolen don’t want to pursue the matter with police because they’ve already been through so much.

U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin is now pushing for a bill to protect the children before someone steals their identities.”

“Saint Franc is in good shape now. She’s been able to clean up her credit report, but recognizes that not everyone is so fortunate.

“I think this bill will help this issue because a foster child has so much on their minds, this should be the last thing they should be scared of,” Saint Franc said.”

Identities stolen from foster children
[NBC 10 news 5/16/11]

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