A SICK JOKE

There is a sick joke about what’s the difference between a Rottweiler and a social worker? The answer: You’ll eventually get your child back from a Rottweiler.

And I thought of that today when I read a truly excruciating and heart-aching story on Page One of the Herald Sun about a five-months-old little boy allegedly tortured by a sadistic foster mum.

He had broken bones, cuts, burns and bruises with photos taken at the Royal Children’s Hospital. And yet he was handed back to the woman. Even though a paediatrician’s report recommended against it. How could this be?

And there is another allegation from the baby’s sister that would have sent chills down your spine when you read it over your morning corn flakes.

She claimed she saw the foster mother gouge the little boy’s teeth out with a knife a month after he was returned to her care.

The boy’s natural parents are demanding an inquiry into the Department of Human Services handling of the case. But you have to ask why were their two kids taken away and put into foster care in the first place.

One reason is that the father was found guilty of assaulting his daughter and given a two-year suspended jail sentence. But why was the five-month-old baby taken away from the mother?

The Herald Sun says that hospital photos of the boy they call Ben are too horrific to publish. The newspaper claims that paediatrician, Dr. Catherine Lynch, who examined the child recommended that he not go back to the foster mother.

As I said: How could this be?

How could a children’s hospital and a government depart that is meant to look after kids let such a thing happen?

A spokeswoman for the Community Services Minister. Cheryl Garbutt, issued a mealy-mouthed statement. “Obviously with hindsight, a more cautious approach should have been taken to protect the child.” Hello!!!

He had broken bones, cuts, burns and bruises. And a paediatrician warned the authorities not to return the little boy to the foster mother. That warning was ignored. It is a terribly sad story. And a child has suffered.

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

©Copyright Derryn Hinch 2005