Free Republic

A recently-introduced bill in the state of Illinois would change the definition of “abused child” to include minors whose parents object to their children receiving puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, transgender surgeries, and abortions. House Bill 4876, which was introduced in early February, also shields doctors from liability if they prescribe such treatments to minors who do not have parental consent — and empowers the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to step in and, if they deem it necessary, remove children from their biological parents based on the new definition of an “abused child.” According to the legislation,...

The science-deniers are running the LGBTQ show over at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and dissenters will not be tolerated. The department’s new “enhanced” policies promoting the “well-being of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) children and youth in the Department’s care” ratchet in one direction only: encouraging children towards LGBTQ identities. DCFS has drawn a rainbow-colored line in the sand, announcing it “will not tolerate exposing LGBTQ children and youth to staff/providers who are not supportive of children and youths’ right to self-determination of sexual/gender identity.”

Louisiana spent about $1.3 million on food stamps for people who were already dead between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2013, according to a report issued by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor Monday (July 7). In all, state benefits went out to 3,938 deceased people over the four-year period examined by the auditor. The Louisiana auditor only reviewed records concerning single people who had died. The total amount of money spent on food stamps for single people in Louisiana during this time was $1.08 billion.

A little over a year ago, I wrote a column regarding the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services' (DCFS) supposed confidential hotline. The DCFS hotline itself was a means by which Illinois citizens could report cases of child abuse and/or neglect. I had a personal experience regarding the use of the confidential hotline which was disturbing, to say the least. I was aware of a family who lived near me in which children were exposed to an unhealthy environment according to anyone's standards. During a visit to the home, three children (all under the age of ten) were found...

IFI Media Watch A little over a year ago, I wrote a column regarding the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services' (DCFS) supposed confidential hotline. The DCFS hotline itself was a means by which Illinois citizens could report cases of child abuse and/or neglect. I had a personal experience regarding the use of the confidential hotline which was disturbing, to say the least. I was aware of a family who lived near me in which children were exposed to an unhealthy environment according to anyone's standards. During a visit to the home, three children (all under the age of...

It was one of those phone calls no parent wants to receive. In fact, it was the beginning of a nightmare for Jean Cohoon. Cohoon's daughter, MeLisa Cleary, 30, a mother of three, was missing. It's a story which, tragically, is repeated all too often in America today. A woman's car is found, her purse and cell phone are left behind, but she is nowhere to be found. During the first three days after MeLisa's disappearance, a frantic search for the young mother took place. Family, friends, neighbors, and good people who simply wanted to help began the search for...

State officials are worried a 12-year-old Sandy boy will die from a rare form of bone cancer if he does not receive chemotherapy soon. But his parents apparently are more concerned that the chemotherapy will leave their son sterile. Barbara and Daren Jensen have fled Utah with their son, against the advice of their attorney and in violation of a juvenile court judge's Aug. 8 order placing the boy into state Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) custody, according to charges filed Friday in 3rd District Court. The Jensens face one count of child kidnapping, a first-degree felony punishable...

The search for 12-year-old Nicolas Zavala--who disappeared after falling through the cracks of Illinois' child welfare system--ended Friday when skeletal remains found in a Downstate field were identified as his. Authorities in Iroquois County did not say whether Nicolas was murdered, but officials have been saying for several weeks that some family members were uncooperative when interviewed about his disappearance last year. Chicago Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed reported this week that the boy's remains were found badly burned and scattered. Iroquois County sheriff's police declined to comment about burns but did confirm another Sneed report that dental records were used...