How Could You?Hall of Shame-Kirk and Beth Schield

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 Two Harbors, Minnesota, foster parents Kirk and Beth Schield lost their foster care license on July 6, 2012. They were “were issued a license to care for up to four foster children in their home on Dec. 1, 2010.”

The revocation was announced in a letter to the Schields and is posted on The Minnesota DHS license search website. “No criminal charges were filed.”

As per their right, the Schields told the Lake County News Chronicle that they would appeal.

“Kirk Schield is pastor of Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Two Harbors.”

“Sara Byrns, former track and Nordic ski coach at Two Harbors High School, coached the Schields’ children during her tenure and called the couple “loving and caring.” Byrns said they volunteered in various capacities for her sports teams, including helping out at home competitions and chaperoning trips.”

“They’ve been huge supporters of their kids … and volunteered and helped out in whatever capacity I’ve needed,” Byrns said.”

The report from the public Minnesota DHS website lists the following as violations:

“In May 2012, Lake County Human Services received a report regarding your child foster care home. The report alleged that Ms. Schield used corporal punishment to discipline children in care. Lake County investigated the report and determined that Ms. Schield had failed to follow your child foster care discipline policy and subjected a foster child to corporal punishment when she spanked a foster child on more than on occasion. During the investigation Ms. Schield reported to Lake County that she used corporal punishment as a form of discipline although she knew it was not allowed. Ms. Shield also told Lake County that she could not assure them that she would discontinue using corporal punishment on foster children.

As a result of the investigation, Lake County also determined the following licensing violations:

• Failure to report the foster child’s behavior and other important information to the placing agency and others as indicated in the child’s case plan.

• Failure to nurture children, be mature and demonstrate the ability to comply with the foster child’s care plan, and meet the needs of foster children in your care.

• Failure to work within the agency and state policies.

• Failure to understand the licensing agency’s programs and goals.

• Failure to provide positive and constructive discipline to contribute to the foster child’s well-being.

Following the above investigation, the foster children in your care were removed from your home.

Due to the serious and chronic nature of the above violations; because Ms. Schield subjected a child to corporal punishment; because Ms. Schield failed to follow the discipline policy for your child foster care home; because Ms. Schield failed to provide positive and constructive discipline to a child in care; because you repeatedly failed to work within agency and state policies; because Ms. Schield repeatedly failed to understand the licensing agency programs and goals; because each of you failed to report the child’s behavior and other important information to the placing agency and others indicated in the case plan; and in order to protect the health, safety, and rights of children receiving services in DHS-licensed programs, your license to provide child foster care is revoked.”

 

Two Harbors foster parents lose license after spanking

[Duluth News Tribune 7/12/12 by John Lundy ]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

 Though the article tried to emphasize spanking and went into illogical interviews with people about non-fostered children and spanking, there were MANY serious violations of policies. Not only did Beth knowingly ignore policies, but she indicated that she would NOT follow policy in the future! Why was this couple approved if they refuse to follow the policies?