The Real Abuse

Mary jackson is a 40-year-old black woman who has worked for 15 years as a school crossing guard. She has been the primary caretaker of her three grandchildren, aged five, eight, and ten, because her daughter—the children’s mother—has spent much of the time on drugs.

When one of the children was taken to the hospital for pneumonia, Mrs. Jackson was charged by the Child Welfare Administration with “medical neglect,” and all three children were taken away. Most cases involving allegations of neglect end there— with the children in the custody of the CWA. But Mrs. Jackson fought back. She was not guilty of the charge, and she had evidence to prove it.

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Seth Farber

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Mary jackson is a 40-year-old black woman who has worked for 15 years as a school crossing guard. She has been the primary caretaker of her three grandchildren, aged five, eight, and ten, because her daughter—the children’s mother—has spent much of the time on drugs.

When one of the children was taken to the hospital for pneumonia, Mrs. Jackson was charged by the Child Welfare Administration with “medical neglect,” and all three children were taken away. Most cases involving allegations of neglect end there— with the children in the custody of the CWA. But Mrs. Jackson fought back. She was not guilty of the charge, and she had evidence to prove it.