A spike in the number of Texas children dying in foster care has prompted state officials to demand a tougher screening process for foster parents.
Ten foster children died under suspicious circumstances in the fiscal year that ended Aug. 31. Patrick Crimmins with the state Department of Family and Protective Services reports four of the deaths have been ruled the result of abuse and neglect, while the other six remain under investigation.
Two foster children died from abuse and neglect in the prior year.
Family and Protective Services Commissioner John Specia wrote a letter this month to the more than 300 private child-placing agencies and residential treatment centers in Texas, urging them to redouble their efforts to keep foster children safe.
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Information from: The Dallas Morning News, http://www.dallasnews.com
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