Probation Statistics Show Sharp Increase in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases:
Mental Illness and Substance Abuse are Leading Factors

(Statewide Statistics and Chart Attached. Please also read Care & Protection article
in Spring 2009 Across the Commonwealth Newsletter)

          The number of Care and Protection cases—when child abuse and neglect are alleged—has more than doubled to a rate of 55 percent across the state in the past decade according to statistics maintained by the Research Department of the Office of the Commissioner of Probation.

          Three of the leading factors are mental illness, substance abuse, and domestic violence, according to Chief and Assistant Chief Probation Officers across the Commonwealth. Some Probation Officers who supervise these cases also attribute the rise in petitions to society’s increased awareness of abuse and neglect of children which has resulted in the filing of substantially more Care and Protection (C&P) petitions.

          The Research Department’s 10-year comparison spans from 1998 to 2008. A C& P case scenario can range from a situation where the parents or guardians are unable to provide for the child such as giving them a proper bed to sleep in, food to eat, or a safe home with operational fire alarms to a more devastating scenario which includes physical or sexual abuse. Petitions are typically filed in the Juvenile Court in Massachusetts.

          Chief Probation Officer Thomas Mitchell of Norfolk County Juvenile Court determined after a review of C&P cases in his court that nearly 70 percent of these cases “boomeranged”—coming back into the system as a Child In Need of Services (CHINS), Delinquency and oftentimes years later as an adult case.

          “We have to pay attention to these cases. I think if we spent more time early on, we could save these children from becoming future victims down the road,” Mitchell said.

          Of the counties featured in the 10-year review of C&P cases, Franklin/Hampshire Counties, which shares a Juvenile Court Department, has the largest increase in filings at 151.6 percent. This is the highest of the 12 counties statewide.

          Peter J. Kotch, Acting Chief Probation Officer at the Franklin/Hampshire Juvenile Court, said of the increase: “It seems that the economic climate is having more of an underlying effect in these cases. It also appears that more of the parents are unemployed which leads to more chronic substance abuse and hence neglect.”

          Kotch added, “This court began in 1996 and we are now seeing our second generation of these families involved in this type of case.”

          The issues have remained the same: substance abuse, domestic violence, neglect and “a spattering of physical child abuse.”

          “There are also the occasional cases in which parents are dealing with either diagnosed or undiagnosed mental health issues,” Kotch said.

          Berkshire County accounts for the second largest increase at 133.3 percent in the number of C& P petitions filed.

          “The number of petitions are definitely through the roof,” said Chief Probation Officer William Gale.

          Worcester County C&P cases jumped 96.2 percent. Worcester County Chief Probation Officer Francyne Lefemine said the responsibility of Probation Officers in these types of cases has also blossomed.

          “Any child subject to a Care and Protection has to be seen in their home or setting by a Probation Officer,” Lefemine said. “We are the eyes and ears of the court.”

          Lefemine also reports that substance and physical abuse are among the key issues. “We see some horrible stuff. If you stop and think about it, we would be in tears all of the time.”

          In Bristol County, C&P cases experienced an 81.5 percent increase. Juvenile Court Probation Officers in the New Bedford and Fall River courts said substance abuse and domestic violence are the underlying reasons for C&P filings.

          “The parents continue to use drugs during and after the birth of the child. Probation Officers find that substance abuse goes hand and hand with child abuse,” said Kevin C. Martin, Bristol County Juvenile Court Acting Chief Probation Officer. “The C&P case is a good barometer to determine if parents know how to raise a child.”

          Barnstable County accounted for a 76.7 percent increase in C&P filings.

          Barnstable County Juvenile Chief Probation Officer John P. Millett said drug and alcohol abuse is “the biggest reason” for C&P petitions.

          “The substance abuse leads to domestic violence and the neglect of the children,” Millett said.

          Middlesex and Suffolk Counties' increases in C&P filings were similar. Middlesex's increase was 64 percent compared to Suffolk's 63 percent increase.

          Stephen Allsopp, First Assistant Chief Probation Officer at Middlesex County Juvenile Court, said domestic violence and substance abuse are reoccurring themes in the C&P cases he sees in Middlesex County. Allsopp said the economy has also played a huge role in the spike in C& P cases.

          “The scenario that I am seeing is the use of heroin and pain pills. There are younger parents (ages 19-24) and some are abusing prescribed meds such as Oxycontin,” said Allsopp. “We are seeing mental health issues and suicide attempts. There is more stress which can be related to the state of the economy.”

          Steven Siciliano, Suffolk County Juvenile Chief Probation Officer, said he is seeing “more serious cases” come before his court such as “shaken babies” and “drug-addicted” infants.

          “Some of the economic situations that are affecting people are also affecting them at home,” Siciliano said. “I am seeing cases that are a lot more serious in nature.”

          Plymouth County had a 38 percent increase; Hampden County 29.6 percent; and Norfolk County 27.7 percent.

          Joel West, Plymouth County Juvenile Chief Probation Officer, said the C&P cases that come before the court have been fairly consistent over the years.

          “We are still seeing the same situations. Domestic violence and substance abuse are common in these cases,” West said.

          In Hampden County, Assistant Chief Probation Officer Karen A. Sullivan had this to say: “Probation Officers are reporting that the stressors in today’s economic climate are creating real problems for the working poor and those receiving assistance. Middle class families are finding themselves in financial difficulties as well. All this stress has affected children and their caretaking.”

          Sullivan commented, “A large number of our cases involve substance abuse by one or both parents/legal guardians. An increasing amount of cases have involved domestic violence. The substance abuse and domestic violence often go hand and hand. These are the two most common circumstances seen in the C&P petitions filed in our court. These often result in poor living conditions, loss of residence, educational neglect, emotional abuse, and physical abuse.”

          The most common issues, according to Sullivan, are neglect and emotional abuse.

          “These are largely the result of children witnessing domestic violence and /or parental supervision diminishing because of the substance abuse. Neglect may be educational and/or lack of basic needs being met. The emotional abuse arises out of the domestic violence situation. Physical abuse is also somewhat common—usually striking a child with some object or pushing/hitting them. Serious physical abuse is less common-usually with much younger children (i.e. shaken baby syndrome),” Sullivan said.

          She also reports an increase in homelessness among children and families in Hampden County.

          Essex County, on the other hand, had the lowest increase in C&P petitions at 4.8 percent. Although Essex County has experienced the lowest increase in C&P filings, Essex County Juvenile Chief Probation Officer Daniel Passacantilli said abuse and neglect of children is “very real.”

          “Families are under a lot more stress. When parents and guardians lose jobs and benefits, unfortunately, the children are the victims. We see this play out in a different way. Some parents are encouraging children not to go to school and to stay at home to watch a younger sibling who is sick. Is it physical abuse? No, but it is certainly neglect.”

          He added, “We discover a lot of abuse and neglect when we visit these children. There is no food. Some of the homes are uninhabitable. The most horrendous physical abuse is sexual abuse.”

Statewide Statistics and Chart