Foster Family Agency Child Molestation Claims

Thousands of children require out-of-home foster care for countless reasons. Some children stay in foster care for a few weeks; others stay in foster care for years. Some children return to their biological parents after a stay in foster care, others are adopted, and some transition to independent living.   Regardless of their age or reason for needing foster care, every child in foster care deserves to receive sensitive, nurturing care and supportive guidance. Foster parents have the responsibility of providing a positive impact in a child’s life and a stable living environment, even if only for a short period of time. Unfortunately for some children, however, a foster parent is not a role model, but rather an abuser. Molestation and sexual abuse can leave deep psychological scars.  The attorneys at Estey & Bomberger have the experience and resources to help victims of abuse in foster care settings pursue a civil claim for their injuries against the abuser and others responsible, including the foster care agency.

Molestation in Foster Homes

Molestation of a child is a crime, and victims of child molestation have rights. At Estey & Bomberger, we work to hold child abusers and molesters financially accountable for their actions and injustice. Although there is no “typical” child molester, many times the sexual offender is known to the child, and has a position of authority. This could be a foster parent, a coach, a scout leader, or a family friend. If you or your child were molested while in the care of a foster family, you may have a case against the foster parent, and the agency that placed you with your foster family. Sexual abuse can include a wide range of negative experiences, including:

1. Molestation
2. Child prostitution
3. Sexual assault
4. Indecent exposure
5. Lewd and lascivious behavior
6. Statutory rape
7. The distribution or broadcasting of child pornography.

Also, if you or your child was molested by someone other than a foster parent, and this injustice was reported to the foster parent, and the foster parent failed to take action to stop the abuse, you may also be entitled to compensation.

Preventing Child Abuse in Foster Homes

Foster parents are typically required to go through an application process and be cleared by the Child Abuse Central Index, FBI and Department of Justice. Prospective foster parents must undergo medical and TB screening, submit to a criminal background check, and provide proof of driver’s license and auto insurance, and complete training including First Aid and CPR certification. These requirements are in place to keep children safe. Despite the best intentions, molestation from foster parents and other injuries from a foster parent’s failure to supervise a child still occur. Sexual abuse can cause lifelong consequences, including anxiety, anger, depression, fear, inappropriate sexual behavior later in life, alcohol and substance abuse problems, and difficulty engaging in intimate relationships.

About Estey & Bomberger – Child Molestation Victim Attorneys

Estey & Bomberger has a national reputation for helping molestation victims secure compensation for the injuries and injustice they have suffered due to a child molester. We have recovered millions of dollars in civil claims for victims of child abuse. Compensation for a victim can play a positive role in the sexual abuse recovery process, and ensure victims receive the counseling, therapy, and medical treatment they need for the rest of their life. We have successfully represented victims of child molestation in cases against foster family agencies. For more information or a free consultation and evaluation of your legal rights with one of our attorneys, contact Estey & Bomberger at (800) 667-1558.