LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The state inspector general for child welfare is investigating child sexual abuse and exploitation of children in state-licensed facilities.
Julie Rogers announced Wednesday that her investigation will show whether the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is taking adequate precautions to prevent and respond to children in the state’s care being abused.
The Lincoln Journal Star reports (
http://bit.ly/2hTN9Os ) that Rogers‘ office has received 36 reports since July 2013 of state wards, youth placed in state-licensed facilities and youths adopted from the child welfare system subjected to sexual abuse or exploitation.
“We know that children and youth in the state’s care - both in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems - are particularly vulnerable. Many have already been victims of abuse or neglect, have experienced trauma, or both,” she said.
HHS spokesman Russ Reno said the agency has cooperated with the investigation and will welcome its recommendations.
“The care and well-being of children in our custody is of the utmost importance to this Agency,” Reno said.
The children reporting abuse say they were sexually abused by foster parents, adoptive parents, other youths or staff members at residential care facilities.
Several abuse cases have made headlines in recent years. In one, a 34-year-old Beatrice woman was sentenced to two years in prison after a friend of her boyfriend developed a sexual relationship with her 14-year-old foster child when he stayed at her house.
And in August, a 28-year-old former therapist at Kearney’s Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center was charged with having sexual contact with an 18-year-old at the center.
All of the cases Rogers is aware of have already been investigated by law enforcement and referred to prosecutors, if needed. Rogers said she doesn’t plan to duplicate those efforts.
Rogers‘ investigation will focus on identifying areas for improvement and making recommendations on how the state can better protect children. Her recommendations will be made public in September.
http://www.dailyprogress.com/nebraska-investigating-sex-abuse-of-children-in-its-care/article_aa05aaac-ca81-5e9a-9c14-e1134c8723a1.html