Abuse Charges in Missouri and Kansas Raise Concerns

A foster mother in the US, Brenda Deutsch, has been charged with abusing and neglecting a 16-year-old girl in her care, amid allegations of trading the girl for a monkey. The teenager reported severe physical and emotional abuse and is now in a group home in Texas, where she is 'thriving' according to authorities. Deutsch's history as a foster parent has been scrutinized, with many hotline calls going unreported, highlighting systemic issues in child welfare. In a separate case, Michael Lane Hadden was convicted of molesting three foster children and will serve at least 25 years in prison. Meanwhile, in Kansas, Jacci Marie Hays was charged after her 2-year-old daughter overdosed on methamphetamine, which she allegedly attempted to cover up. These cases underscore ongoing challenges in the foster care system and child protection services in the US.