Latest Contributions

• Lack of communication between child welfare and juvenile justice systems hurts foster kids, court monitors say

  By Reese Oxner Updated: May 5, 2022

  The court-appointed watchdogs expressed concern after learning that a caretaker accused of exploiting children at a state-licensed facility in Bastrop had been previously fired from a state juvenile justice facility for misconduct. Full Story 

• 78% of Texas voters think abortion should be allowed in some form, UT poll shows

  By Reese Oxner Updated: May 4, 2022

  Only 15% of respondents to a recent University of Texas at Austin poll said access to the procedure should be completely outlawed. Full Story 

• Bastrop shelter caretaker accused of exploiting girls was fired from previous job for misconduct with children

  By Zach Despart and Reese Oxner April 21, 2022

  State records show Iesha Greene was fired in 2020 from a state juvenile facility for having inappropriate relationships with children. The Refuge said it was aware of her previous work there, but it never requested her publicly available personnel records. Full Story 

• Over 100 children have died in Texas’ child welfare system since 2020, report says

  By Reese Oxner April 4, 2022

  Most of the deaths were attributed to “preexisting medical conditions” or abuse suffered before the children entered the system, according to the DFPS report. The numbers are on par with those reported in previous years. Full Story 

• Judge loses trust in Texas’ child abuse investigation of foster care facility and calls for federal inquiry

  By Reese Oxner Updated: March 30, 2022

  U.S. District Judge Janis Jack said she is seeking a federal criminal investigation into allegations that children were sexually abused and trafficked at The Refuge, a state-licensed foster care shelter for victims of sex trafficking. Full Story 

• Child welfare monitors say there’s “ample evidence” kids were abused at Bastrop foster care facility, disputing Texas Rangers

  By Reese Oxner March 28, 2022

  Watchdogs appointed by a federal court found there is evidence of abuse and exploitation after reviewing thousands of documents and recordings. Full Story 

• After deadly tornadoes tear through Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott declares disaster for 16 counties

  By Reese Oxner March 22, 2022

  At least 20 tornadoes tore through homes and buildings in Texas and Oklahoma on Monday. At least two dozen people were injured and a woman died, authorities said. Full Story 

• Founder of state-contracted child abuse shelter hopes to reopen after employee was accused of exploiting two girls

  By Reese Oxner March 21, 2022

  Brooke Crowder said The Refuge is working to incorporate a deeper employee screening process with the help of a company recommended by the governor’s and attorney general’s offices. Full Story 

• Texas child welfare official resigns, saying top agency leaders scapegoated employees

  By Reese Oxner Updated: March 21, 2022

  The former child care investigations director said there are agency-wide communication issues that led to a breakdown in relaying key information, but two of his staff members are the ones who suffered the consequences. Full Story 

• Texas CPS department’s culture kept worries about now-shuttered foster care facility from being addressed, official says

  By Reese Oxner March 17, 2022

  It was also revealed at a special Texas Senate committee meeting that the Texas foster care worker who allegedly sold nude pictures of girls is also accused of dating a child trafficker. Full Story