Transparency & Accountability
Shrouded courtrooms conceal incompetence, repeated abuse, preventable fatalities, and systemic breakdowns from public view. When proceedings operate in secrecy, there is little external pressure to correct failures. We advocate for presumptively open court proceedings and public reporting of outcomes so agencies must answer—not in theory, but in fact—for the safety of children and families.
April 7, 2025Op-Eds & CommentaryIn The Imprint, reporter Jeremy Loudenback highlighted California’s efforts to change mandatory reporting laws, a movement spurred by advocates who believe the current system unnecessarily pulls innocent families into the child welfare system. Loudenback featured the story of Roger De Leon, Jr., who was investigated for suspected abuse only to be later found innocent, as one traumatic example.
March 27, 2025Research & ReportsIn a searing new memo released today, Lives in the Balance: A Bold Plan to Fix America’s Broken Child Protection System, the Center for the Rights of Abused Children lays bare an unflinching truth:
June 5, 2023Op-Eds & CommentaryState lawmakers promised transparency and accountability when they created the Department of Child Safety, or DCS. But has it lived up to those promises?
April 27, 2022News & Press ReleasesArizona Governor Doug Ducey has signed into law Senate Bills 1076 & 1307, passed unanimously by the Arizona legislature & sponsored by Senator Nancy Barto.
February 11, 2022News & Press ReleasesWarning signs missed by the DCS that could have prevented Chaskah Davis Smith's murder. Scottsdale grandmother served warrant.
February 3, 2022News & Press ReleasesIt is estimated that roughly half of all children abused to death across the country are missed by investigative authorities.
- February 1, 2022News & Press Releases
Grandmother accused of murdering 11-year old Chaskah Davis Smith had history of family issues and abuse.
- February 1, 2022News & Press Releases
Grandmother arrested after being accused of horrific abuse and murder of Chaskah Davis Smith.
November 29, 2020Op-Eds & CommentaryHi friends, A few months ago, I was invited to write a chapter for a reference book on American foster care. I’m thrilled to share this sneak peek with you in advance of [...]
- August 14, 2019Op-Eds & Commentary
This is not an easy read. But to understand just how broken the child welfare system is, I need you to stay with me. In April of this year, police in Wichita, Kansas [...]