Child Advocates CEO Booth to retire
Cindy Booth, the longtime leader of Child Advocates Inc., will retire next year after 30 years with the nonprofit.
Child welfare
Articles
How and when to remove children from their homes? A federal lawsuit raises thorny questions
A lawsuit filed by the Pacific Legal Foundation is part of a legal strategy to set precedent nationwide “confirming the importance of parental rights and clarifying the need to include a neutral judge in child removal decisions.”
DCS director to resign, chief of staff named successor
Indiana Department of Child Services Director Terry Stigdon will resign from the agency, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Monday. Her last day is Friday. The agency’s current chief of staff, Eric Miller, has been named the new director.
IU Maurer practicum gives experience in direct representation for kids: Students ‘elevate’ clients’ voices
A group of second- and third-year students at Indiana University Maurer School of Law have spent the spring semester representing youth in three counties as part of a practicum through Indianapolis-based Child Advocates.
Bill tightening limits on depositions of alleged child victims reaches governor’s desk
A bill further restricting depositions of alleged victims of child sex abuse has officially made it to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desk.
New family domestic violence court launched in Allen County
The Allen Superior Court has launched a new family domestic violence problem-solving court. The Family Domestic Violence Court is meant to provide support, recovery and services to survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence and their families.
Children’s Commission appoints new executive director
The Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana has appointed a new executive director.
Ex-day care director charged with giving children melatonin
A former suburban Indianapolis day care director is facing multiple charges after being accused of giving melatonin gummies to children without their parents’ consent to get them to sleep.
Bill clarifying limits on child sex abuse victim depositions gets unanimous support from IN Senate
A bill designed to reinforce an existing law strongly limiting a defendant’s ability to take the deposition of an alleged child sex abuse victim unanimously passed the Indiana Senate on Monday.
Youth incarceration continues as advocates pursue reform efforts
A new report from a national sentencing reform nonprofit is highlighting continued concerns about youth offenders housed in adult facilities, rather than juvenile centers.
Indiana man arrested after young boy seen playing with gun
An Indiana man faces criminal charges after a young boy was allegedly seen holding a handgun outside their apartment and pulling the trigger without firing any bullets.
Evansville mom gets 25-year prison term; daughter died from fentanyl
An Evansville woman was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison for the death of her 3-year-old daughter who ingested fentanyl.
Gibson Co. judge facing 4 disciplinary charges for conduct in child welfare cases
A southwestern Indiana judge is facing a slew of judicial disciplinary charges for alleged misconduct in his handling of two child welfare cases.
COA: History of domestic violence in home supports CHINS adjudication
A mother who has been both a “victim and perpetrator” of domestic violence has failed to convince the Court of Appeals of Indiana that her children aren’t CHINS.
2 counties piloting framework focused on child welfare
LaPorte and Tippecanoe counties are piloting a National Center for State Courts project called “Upstream,” a framework which aims to prevent child maltreatment and out-of-home placement, reduce court involvement, and support safe and healthy families.
Abortion doc Bernard takes stand, maintains she followed appropriate steps in reporting abuse in 10-year-old Ohio girl’s case
Tension in the air was palpable as Dr. Caitlin Bernard took the stand Monday to be questioned in an ongoing debate about her role in providing an abortion to a 10-year-old Ohio girl.
Justices seem to favor most of Native child welfare law
The Supreme Court appeared likely Wednesday to leave in place most of a federal law that gives preference to Native American families in foster care and adoption proceedings of Native children.
Native child welfare law faces major Supreme Court challenge
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments Wednesday on the most significant challenge to a law that gives preference to Native American families in foster care and adoption proceedings of Native children.
Indiana woman accused of abandoning autistic son enters plea
An Indiana mother accused of having abandoned her 5-year-old autistic son on an Ohio street earlier this year has pleaded guilty to child endangerment.
Op-ed: Providing legal representation to children in the welfare system
There is one area of law where the state of Indiana may intrude into your life, remove you from your home and place you in a private locked facility, all without providing an opportunity to consult with an attorney: our child welfare system.