How Could You? Hall of Shame-Braylen Clark 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 Fort Wayne, Indiana, foster child Braylen Clark, 20-months-old,” was pulled from a pond in Adams County on July 4th. He’s now on life support, and his mother, Brittney Clark, tells our Partners in News at ABC 21 she can’t understand how a foster family vetted by the state could have left him unsupervised.

“They took upon another responsibility to take somebody else’s kids. And to not watch them, especially him not even being two years old yet. Maybe if he would have run into the pond, with it being two seconds they could have got him if they were actually paying attention. But cutting wood, apparently, was more important than watching my son.”

The foster father was outside chopping wood, while the foster mother was inside the house making lunch.

The state Department of Child Services removed Braylen and his brother from Clark’s care this past spring for reasons we are not yet aware of.

The Adams County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the situation.”

Fort Wayne mom outraged after child nearly drowns while in foster care

[WOWO 7/11/19 by Daniel Wright]

“A Fort Wayne mother wants answers after her son nearly drowned while in state custody.

Brittney Clark’s 20-month-old son, Braylen, is now in a coma at Lutheran Children’s Hospital.

“His heart stopped. His brain lost oxygen and all his organs shut down,” Clark said.

Clark’s two sons were placed in foster care in the spring.

A few weeks ago, the Indiana Department of Child Services placed both boys with another family while their foster family went on a trip out of state over the Fourth of July.

Clark said that’s when Braylen ended up in a pond on the property and nearly drowned.

She’s been trying to be by his side ever since.

“They are not allowing anyone on my side come in. No aunt’s, uncles. sisters, brothers, non[sic] of that,” Clark said.

However Clark said the first foster family is allowed to bring everyone into the room.
She said she doesn’t think DCS is treating her fairly in the situation.

“They can sit there and leave children in homes that are being abused and all types of stuff,” said Clark.

Braylen was improving, this video is of him hours before he suffered a seizure that sent him into a coma.

Clark said if he doesn’t wake up in three to six months, she has a choice.

“If he does not wake up, they are going to give me an option to take everything out and let him pass,” said Clark.

And she said her oldest son is trying to help Braylen pull through.

“He was talking to Braylen, He was saying “Hi bubba, I love you bubba. He wanted him to wake up,” said Clark.

Clark said DCS took her kids after one got hurt while playing outside, her ex-boyfriend is accusing her of not paying attention to them.

She said it is frustrating knowing her son is now hospitalized while in DCS’s care.

“I just think DCS is not safe for any kids,” said Clark.

FOX 55 contacted DCS to ask how they handle situations like this but DCS has yet to respond.”
Mother looking for answers after son ends up in coma while in DCS care

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