How Could You? Hall of Shame-Jeanette Nicole Hunsberger

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 Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, foster mother Jeanette Nicole Hunsberger, 24, “surrendered to authorities Tuesday morning to face multiple felony counts accusing her of physically abusing a 5-year-old child who was in her temporary care for about a year, state police alleged in court documents.”

She “was arraigned on 11 felony counts of endangering the welfare of a child and 11 misdemeanor counts of simple assault, police said.

“The injuries the child received under Hunsberger’s care are suggestive of child physical abuse” and “caused substantial pain at various times and dates,” court documents stated.

“From the beginning of the foster placement in 2022, the county’s children and youth agency requested that Hunsberger forward to them “any injuries that the child received,” according to an affidavit.

The foster mother “forwarded several photos with several explanations of the child’s injuries, and Hunsberger blamed all the injuries except one on accidents or the girl’s clumsiness,” the affidavit stated. The girl has a disability and is “non-verbal,” police said.

Last fall, Hunsberger sent a photo to the agency of the girl’s thigh.

“The picture captured an adult handprint on the thigh. Hunsberger claimed she ‘usually’ smacks the child’s hand when she touches things she’s not suppose to or can harm herself on. Hunsberger said she meant to smack the girl’s hand, but accidentally missed and smacked her thigh,” the lead investigator said in the affidavit.

“This is the only time ‘we have done anything that left a mark,’” she told the agency.

“The handprint was clearly caused by increased force by Hunsberger,” police alleged.

Police reviewed all the photos Hunsberger had sent to Children and Youth. All the material was also reviewed by two pediatricians who are child abuse experts, police said. The two physicians determined that the girl’s injuries “were highly suggestive of child physical abuse,” police said, adding that “the injuries consisted of large bruising and a finger fracture.”

The girl underwent a blood test to see if she had “a disorder that could cause her to bruise easily. Her blood work was normal,” and there was no evidence that she had the condition, police said.

“Multiple interviews were conducted with people who were in direct care of the child. They related that she is not a clumsy child,” the affidavit stated.

Police said while Hunsberger fostered the child, the girl’s “mother and stepfather raised several concerns that the daughter was being physically abused at Hunsinger’s home in Anthony Township.”

Following her arraignment, Hunsinger was released on $50,000 bail.”

Jersey Shore foster mom faces 11 felony child abuse-related charges
[Williamsport Sun-Gazette 2/28/24 by PHILIP A. HOLMES]

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