OUTRAGE: The human condition
Who: The Maryland Department of Human Resources
What: After a mother froze her two dead adopted children, the department says a visit to the house in response to an anonymous complaint found “adequate” conditions for the children. The department also says the mother’s third child (the one who is still alive) will be placed with an “especially nurturing family.” Well that’s OK — but shouldn’t all adoptive parents be “especially nurturing”? The way department Secretary Brenda Donald’s statement is worded makes us worry for the adopted and soon-to-be-adopted children of our state.
Why it’s a bad idea: Adequate? Is that the best we can do? It’s tough to know whom to blame for this tragedy, but two children don’t just die of starvation and beating without a party at fault. And they don’t just end up in a freezer for nine months either. This is especially true (or should be true) for adopted children, who are supposedly monitored closely.
Why they’re doing it: Maybe it’s just that they don’t know what else to do — children need adoption and not too many people are willing to do it. And maybe even an adequate home is better than a group home. But something needs to change — and fast — so this doesn’t ever happen again.
Where to vent:: Visit dhr.state.md.us/ to become an “especially nurturing” foster parent.
Worst ideas from the last week:
