Bittersweet Justice-Missouri
Occasionally, there is justice for those negatively affected by the child welfare and adoption systems. Unfortunately, it is usually bittersweet and much too late. This section will serve as REFORM Talk’s justice files.
This story is from Missouri where Kelly finally received a settlement 31 years after her foster-adoptive father began sexually abusing her starting at age 4.
In 1979, she was placed in the foster family at age 3 and adopted at age 5. Her adoptive mother knew of the abuse and reported it to 2 psychologists in 1988 and asked them not to report it to authorities, even though they were legally obliged. Instead she wanted counseling for her husband. In 1989, a social worker in this office heard of the abuse and immediately reported it.
“The father was arrested, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to prison. The psychologist who failed to report the abuse was given immunity from prosecution in exchange for his testimony at the sentencing hearing for the abuser”
Between 1991 and 1999, the system failed Kelly in her pursuit of justice against the psychologists. When she turned 22, she filed her own lawsuit. Unfortunately, one of the psychologists had already died.
After enduring another decade of arbitrations and legal manuevers, she finally received a settlement.
[Examiner.com 2/1/11 by Bob Buckley]
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