US: Homeless. Jail. Sexually exploited. The Game of Life never talked about this. (Includes video)
Center for Health Journalism (USC Annenberg) – August 30, 2021
It’s been called “trading custody for care” and even a “passport to services” – the decision to turn custody of your child over to the state. It sounds cruel. But listen to the stories of those who have done it, and you’ll quickly realize it is often a heartbreaking act of love. As part of a data fellowship with USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism, 11Alive’s investigative team, The Reveal, wants to show how the challenges of raising children with severe emotional and developmental disabilities can lead to abandonment. This story is part of a larger project led by Rebecca Lindstrom, a 2020 Data Fellow who explored which children are most at risk of abandonment and why.
Also: ‘I just don’t want my child to die’ | Mom explains journey that led to abandoning her daughter with disabilities (Includes video): https://centerforhealthjournalism.org/fellowships/projects/i-just-dont-want-my-child-die-mom-explains-journey-led-abandoning-her-daughter
Also: I was disgusted’: Ga. mother shocked when insurance suggested she abandon her son to get him medical care (Includes video): https://centerforhealthjournalism.org/fellowships/projects/i-was-disgusted-ga-mother-shocked-when-insurance-suggested-she-abandon-her-son
Also: Broken furniture, broken hopes: Georgia mom stuck in loop trying to get help for son with autism (Includes video): https://centerforhealthjournalism.org/fellowships/projects/broken-furniture-broken-hopes-georgia-mom-stuck-loop-trying-get-help-son-autism
Also: Teen finds team to score touchdown in life: How new DFCS program could prevent child abandonment (Includes video): https://centerforhealthjournalism.org/fellowships/projects/teen-finds-team-score-touchdown-life-how-new-dfcs-program-could-prevent-child

https://centerforhealthjournalism.org/fellowships/projects/homeless-jail-sexually-exploited-game-life-never-talked-about