What Happens When the Government Goes Too Far Investigating Child Abuse?

N.B.: This post contains descriptions of medical examinations stemming from allegations of sexual abuse of a small child.Over atReason, Robby Soavereports a horrifying story out of Albuquerque. A kindergarten teacher alleged one of her students —pseudonymously “Becca,” age 4— had been sexually abused by both her father, Adam Lowther, and her seven-year-old brother, “Charlie.” With the aid of the police, the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) removed the children from their parents and set off a course of events that traumatized the Lowther family and Becca in particular.After the better part of a year, the prosecutor declined to prosecute Adam and he was reunited with his children —but after his career was derailed and his reputation in tatters after being accused of one of the most detestable crimes against his own child. Becca had been subjected to examinations and photographs of her genitals and anus without her parents present, and her family reports that she is now ter rified of doctors. The Lowthers are suing all the individuals and organizations involved in the separation and investigation.Certainly, government agencies have the responsibility to investigate claims of sexual and other abuse of children. But such investigations must be handled with the utmost care and prudence lest the investigation itself traumatize (or re-traumatize) the children involved.According to theReason report and the lawsuit, the authorities in Albuquerqu...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs