CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — A federal judge is fining Texas $100,000 per day for routinely neglecting to adequately investigate allegations of abuse and neglect raised by children in the state’s struggling foster care system.
U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack in Corpus Christi ruled Monday that the Texas Health and Human Services agency has shown contempt of her orders to fix the way the state investigates complaints by children in its care.
This is the third such contempt finding in a case that began with a 2011 lawsuit over foster care conditions at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the child welfare arm of HHS.
In a 427-page ruling, the judge cited a “continued recalcitrance” by the agency’s Provider Investigations unit to conduct thorough, accurate and timely probes of allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car
The UN's top court didn't call for a ceasefire in Gaza – how does NZ respond now?
How the New Zealand Falcons are tackling stigma against LGBT people in sports
Claw and order after toddler gets stuck in toy machine
Six killed in a 'foiled coup' in Congo, the army says
US launches more strikes against Houthis in Yemen
Watch: Latest police teams graduate from Dog Training Centre
Claw and order after toddler gets stuck in toy machine
Pentagon vows to keep weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces a renewed assault by Russia
Government confirms leaked document was a ministry Treaty Principles bill memo