Ep 16. The Child Cases

The Child Cases is an episode from season 29 of the investigative journalism series Frontline. In this episode, the team delves into a disturbing trend of child abuse cases that have been mishandled by Child Protective Services (CPS) across the United States.

Through interviews with parents, social workers, and lawyers, Frontline investigates how CPS workers are often overworked and undertrained, leading to critical mistakes in assessments, investigations, and intervention. The episode also highlights how racial and class biases within the system can have devastating effects on marginalized families and children.

The show shines a light on a particular case in Arizona, where a young boy named Sylar Newton was killed by his father, despite multiple reports of abuse to CPS. Through interviews with his mother and her lawyer, viewers will understand how difficult it can be for parents to trust the system, despite their attempts to do the right thing and protect their child.

Additionally, the episode explores alternative solutions to the current system and highlights successful models that prioritize family support and provide better training to CPS workers. This includes programs in Oregon and New York that focus on prevention and early intervention.

The Child Cases is an emotional, eye-opening episode that sheds light on an urgent issue that affects children and families across the United States. It questions the effectiveness of current CPS practices and urges viewers to consider how we can create a better, more equitable system for the future.