Illinois Foster Care Story Illustrates Botched System

This story is told by a foster care mom who has changed the names of the children to protect their identities. From recounting how one sibling of her foster child died in state care in another home to the dishonesty/omissions in the child’s history disclosures, this is a snapshot of how bad Illinois’ system is.

Excerpts:
Chicken pox at time of placement: “Suddenly Carlos piped up and said, “My twin sister has chicken pox.” Coming back from the bathroom he had a strange look on his face, pulled up his shirt, and sure enough … red spots. I took his temperature and put him to bed.

Hal and I couldn’t imagine how scary it must feel to be dropped off in a strange part of town with people you have never met, taken away from your siblings, and then breaking out with chicken pox.”

Purposeful omissions by DCFS: “The story of Carlos’ mother continued to unfold. Valerie stated, “She’s a little easier to deal with when she’s sober. The two oldest kids are from another father, and the oldest boy is considered to be a slow learner. The father is in prison because he got caught molesting both the older girl and boy.

“Five of the eight children were placed in the Gomez home (also a Copeland placement) and three of them were adopted and live in another city.”

She took a deep breath and added, “Oh, by the way, Carlos does not want anything to do with any of the members of his family.”

Hal and I thought Valerie had told us everything she knew about his family history. As the years went by it became apparent she left out a “few” details. It was only when we asked questions and sought guidance that other bits and pieces of information surfaced. It was the same story when his twin sister Rosa was placed with us a few years later.”

Death of sibling: “One sibling with cerebral palsy died while choking on  a piece of food while in a new foster placement.

The foster parents were not at fault…” [Were they trained on how to take care of this child? It sure doesn’t sound like it. Not at fault?]

Smith: A new foster child and then chickenpox

[Rantoul Press 9/25/12 by Jillian Smith]

 

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