Felix Chen ""protected"" to death

Felix Chen
http://www.indiana.edu/~acc/graphics/monroe-lib-sm.jpg

State settles in death of boy taken from mother
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...72/1006/NEWS01
July 13, 2006
State settles in death of boy taken from mother
$350,000 to be paid to parents; child was removed after mom had sought
help
By Tim Evans and Eunice Trotter

The parents of a 6-year-old boy, who was taken from his mother by
Monroe County child protection workers and died three months later in
foster care, will get $350,000 to head off a lawsuit over the death.
The settlement, filed Wednesday in Monroe Circuit Court, will end a
federal wrongful-death suit brought by the parents of Felix Chen. They
contend the boy was wrongly removed in 2004 from his mother, Indiana
University biology Professor Lingling Chen, because social workers did
not understand her Chinese cultural heritage. They also claim the boy
did not receive adequate medical treatment while he was in the state's
care.
"I hope this settlement . . . should help to pressure the system to
make some drastic measures to prevent similar things from happening to
another child and another family," Chen said. The state of Indiana --
on behalf of the Family and Social Services Administration, the Monroe
County Office of Family and Children and several employees -- has
agreed to pay $250,000 to Chen and Felix's father, Xiaohau Huang, La
Jolla, Calif., in exchange for dropping the federal claim and releasing
the state from any future liability. Family Solutions, a Monroe County
nonprofit agency that provides contract services to the state and
triggered the removal of Felix, will pay $100,000 under the same
conditions. The agreement states the payments are "not to be construed
as an admission of liability" by the state or Family Solutions and that
the settlement was reached "merely to avoid litigation and buy their
peace." Chen's attorney, Geoffrey M. Grodner, Bloomington, said that
type of language is standard for pretrial settlements. "It will be up
to the people of the state to reach their own conclusions as to whether
the state acknowledged some potential liability in this matter," he
said. "There was clearly a lack of cultural sensitivity and a failure
on the part of the state and Family Solutions to recognize that some of
what they considered to be a basis for removing Felix was simply a
failure to understand cultural differences." Staci Schneider,
spokeswoman for the attorney general's office, which represented the
state in the legal case, confirmed the settlement but said she could
not discuss details. A spokeswoman for the state Department of Child
Services, which now oversees Child Protective Services, did not return
a call Wednesday, and officials of Family Solutions could not be
reached for comment.
Grodner said Chen, a single mother and busy professional, struggled
with Felix, who suffered from a kidney problem that required Chen to
catheterize him when he had trouble urinating. The pain sometimes
prompted Felix to bite and hit himself and others. At the suggestion
of a counselor, Chen voluntarily sought help from the Monroe County
Office of Family and Children, which referred her to Family Solutions.
After five visits with Chen and Felix during late 2003, a Family
Solutions social worker developed a plan for helping Felix. When she
met with the social worker on Jan. 8, 2004, to learn details of the
plan, Chen casually mentioned she had come up with a way to keep Felix
from hitting himself: She tied his hands with a terry cloth belt from a
bathrobe. "Under difficult situations, I had to resort to some
unharmful restraint before he could hurt himself," Chen said Wednesday.
"Without investigating the complex situation, OFC rushed into
conclusion that I didn't understand American law." Chen said the
social worker never told her tying Felix's hands was wrong or illegal
-- instead, she reported the mother to Child Protective Services. The
following day, a caseworker and two Bloomington police officers came to
her home and took Felix, who was placed in a foster home. "From that
moment on," Grodner said, "the result was a downward spiral in his
health that ultimately resulted in Felix's death." Chen said Felix's
health problems had been improving before he was put in foster care but
rapidly deteriorated. He was hospitalized several times while in state
care in the months before his death.
He died April 1, 2004 -- a day after Chen was told by child protection
officials that he would soon be returned to her. Now that the legal
case has been resolved, Chen said she hopes to use money from the
settlement to try to prevent similar tragedies through a foundation she
and friends established last year. She said caseworkers did not
understand Chinese mother-and-child bonding and forced Felix to consume
American foods he was not used to eating.
The experience basically broke the boy's spirit, said Chen, who added
she believes Felix would be alive if he had been left in her care.
"The lack of extra care he required as a child with special needs,
together with the lack of a nurturing surrounding, caused tremendous
physical and psychological pain to a 6-year-old who was forced to speak
and communicate in a language other than his mother tongue and
ultimately cost him his life," she said.
"The most tragic ending of a human life is from a broken heart, and I,
as his mother, cannot comprehend that my very own son died of a broken
heart."

IU professor whose son died in foster care gets $350,000
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/15025583.htm
Fort Wayne News Sentinel, IN - Jul 12, 2006 The
parents of Felix Chen said their son was wrongly
removed from his mother's care in 2004, and that
the boy did not receive adequate medical
treatment while ...

Dead child's family deserved more from state
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...352/-1/ZONES01
Indianapolis Star, United States - Jul 19, 2006
I cannot imagine the confusion and heartbreak
that Felix Chen felt when he was taken from
his mother. For a 6-year-old child to ...

IU professor whose son died in foster care gets $350,000
http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp...&nav=menu188_2
WTHR, IN - Jul 13, 2006 The parents of Felix
Chen say their son was wrongly removed from
his mother's care in 2004, and that the
boy didn't receive adequate medical treatment
while in ...

Tying a child's hands is not aceptable. This may be a cultural issue.
Culture needs to be respected, but culture doesn't make right --
mine, yours, or hers.

Her child should not have died, but he did. He was removed for
inadequate medical care from his biological family.

LaVonne

Greegor wrote:

Felix Chen
http://www.indiana.edu/~acc/graphics/monroe-lib-sm.jpg

State settles in death of boy taken from mother
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...72/1006/NEWS01
July 13, 2006
State settles in death of boy taken from mother
$350,000 to be paid to parents; child was removed after mom had sought
help
By Tim Evans and Eunice Trotter

The parents of a 6-year-old boy, who was taken from his mother by
Monroe County child protection workers and died three months later in
foster care, will get $350,000 to head off a lawsuit over the death.
The settlement, filed Wednesday in Monroe Circuit Court, will end a
federal wrongful-death suit brought by the parents of Felix Chen. They
contend the boy was wrongly removed in 2004 from his mother, Indiana
University biology Professor Lingling Chen, because social workers did
not understand her Chinese cultural heritage. They also claim the boy
did not receive adequate medical treatment while he was in the state's
care.
"I hope this settlement . . . should help to pressure the system to
make some drastic measures to prevent similar things from happening to
another child and another family," Chen said. The state of Indiana --
on behalf of the Family and Social Services Administration, the Monroe
County Office of Family and Children and several employees -- has
agreed to pay $250,000 to Chen and Felix's father, Xiaohau Huang, La
Jolla, Calif., in exchange for dropping the federal claim and releasing
the state from any future liability. Family Solutions, a Monroe County
nonprofit agency that provides contract services to the state and
triggered the removal of Felix, will pay $100,000 under the same
conditions. The agreement states the payments are "not to be construed
as an admission of liability" by the state or Family Solutions and that
the settlement was reached "merely to avoid litigation and buy their
peace." Chen's attorney, Geoffrey M. Grodner, Bloomington, said that
type of language is standard for pretrial settlements. "It will be up
to the people of the state to reach their own conclusions as to whether
the state acknowledged some potential liability in this matter," he
said. "There was clearly a lack of cultural sensitivity and a failure
on the part of the state and Family Solutions to recognize that some of
what they considered to be a basis for removing Felix was simply a
failure to understand cultural differences." Staci Schneider,
spokeswoman for the attorney general's office, which represented the
state in the legal case, confirmed the settlement but said she could
not discuss details. A spokeswoman for the state Department of Child
Services, which now oversees Child Protective Services, did not return
a call Wednesday, and officials of Family Solutions could not be
reached for comment.
Grodner said Chen, a single mother and busy professional, struggled
with Felix, who suffered from a kidney problem that required Chen to
catheterize him when he had trouble urinating. The pain sometimes
prompted Felix to bite and hit himself and others. At the suggestion
of a counselor, Chen voluntarily sought help from the Monroe County
Office of Family and Children, which referred her to Family Solutions.
After five visits with Chen and Felix during late 2003, a Family
Solutions social worker developed a plan for helping Felix. When she
met with the social worker on Jan. 8, 2004, to learn details of the
plan, Chen casually mentioned she had come up with a way to keep Felix
from hitting himself: She tied his hands with a terry cloth belt from a
bathrobe. "Under difficult situations, I had to resort to some
unharmful restraint before he could hurt himself," Chen said Wednesday.
"Without investigating the complex situation, OFC rushed into
conclusion that I didn't understand American law." Chen said the
social worker never told her tying Felix's hands was wrong or illegal
-- instead, she reported the mother to Child Protective Services. The
following day, a caseworker and two Bloomington police officers came to
her home and took Felix, who was placed in a foster home. "From that
moment on," Grodner said, "the result was a downward spiral in his
health that ultimately resulted in Felix's death." Chen said Felix's
health problems had been improving before he was put in foster care but
rapidly deteriorated. He was hospitalized several times while in state
care in the months before his death.
He died April 1, 2004 -- a day after Chen was told by child protection
officials that he would soon be returned to her. Now that the legal
case has been resolved, Chen said she hopes to use money from the
settlement to try to prevent similar tragedies through a foundation she
and friends established last year. She said caseworkers did not
understand Chinese mother-and-child bonding and forced Felix to consume
American foods he was not used to eating.
The experience basically broke the boy's spirit, said Chen, who added
she believes Felix would be alive if he had been left in her care.
"The lack of extra care he required as a child with special needs,
together with the lack of a nurturing surrounding, caused tremendous
physical and psychological pain to a 6-year-old who was forced to speak
and communicate in a language other than his mother tongue and
ultimately cost him his life," she said.
"The most tragic ending of a human life is from a broken heart, and I,
as his mother, cannot comprehend that my very own son died of a broken
heart."

IU professor whose son died in foster care gets $350,000
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/15025583.htm
Fort Wayne News Sentinel, IN - Jul 12, 2006 The
parents of Felix Chen said their son was wrongly
removed from his mother's care in 2004, and that
the boy did not receive adequate medical
treatment while ...

Dead child's family deserved more from state
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...352/-1/ZONES01
Indianapolis Star, United States - Jul 19, 2006
I cannot imagine the confusion and heartbreak
that Felix Chen felt when he was taken from
his mother. For a 6-year-old child to ...

IU professor whose son died in foster care gets $350,000
http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp...&nav=menu188_2
WTHR, IN - Jul 13, 2006 The parents of Felix
Chen say their son was wrongly removed from
his mother's care in 2004, and that the
boy didn't receive adequate medical treatment
while in ...

LaVonne
Her child should not have died, but he did. He was removed for
inadequate medical care from his biological family.

Yes, inadequate medical care was the EXCUSE used for his removal.
The law suit found that EXCUSE was IN ERROR.

That's why there was a payout.

Greegor wrote:
LaVonne
Her child should not have died, but he did. He was removed for
inadequate medical care from his biological family.

Yes, inadequate medical care was the EXCUSE used for his removal.
The law suit found that EXCUSE was IN ERROR.

That's why there was a payout.

Do you contend the law is about truth more than opinion?

Someone opined the family needed compensation.

The state is believed to have deep pockets.

Emotion was the driving force, not facts.

Here's a fact for you.

Some little girls have their clitoris and parts or all of their inner
labia cut away.

It is legal, and culturally appropriate where it is done.

Do you think it's child abuse and risking the child's life, and is it
murder if the child dies as a result?

Or do you think it's not abuse, and regardless of risk and death of the
child the state should have no say in it?

It is no longer legal in some areas where once it was.

Do you wonder why?

There IS a way to "tie a child's hands" or other body parts legally,
Greg. It's called by Doctor's prescription, or order.

It is often in state statutes stated that way, and every foster parent
gets instructions about it, and the risk they run should they be caught
tying up a child for discipline, or control without a doctor express
order in writing.

0:-


--
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin (or someone else)

Greegor wrote:
LaVonne
Her child should not have died, but he did. He was removed for
inadequate medical care from his biological family.

Yes, inadequate medical care was the EXCUSE used for his removal.
The law suit found that EXCUSE was IN ERROR.

That's why there was a payout.
"....will get $350,000 to head off a lawsuit over the death."

The lawsuit found NO SUCH THING.

There was no finding.

The state differs to the judgment of the AGs office...their "attorney"
in these disputes.

The AGs office calculates what it will cost to pursue the lawsuit and
the chances of losing. The estimate of losing is NOT based solely on the
facts of the case, but how juries tend to respond to various cases they
see.

Hence, "...will get $350,000 to head off a lawsuit over the death."

As in, "The agreement states the payments are 'not to be construed as an
admission of liability" by the state or Family Solutions and that the
settlement was reached "merely to avoid litigation and buy their peace.'"

If the family, and their lawyer believed the state was truly at fault,
why did they settle out of court? Surely they didn't think they'd have
trouble eliciting the emotions of a jury did they?

A lot of "beliefs" about what happened, Greg, in this case, or what
should have but very little proof.

For instance the boy died in state care. The mother believes that being
forced to eat foods he was unaccustomed to "broke his spirit," and
helped to lead to his death.

Tell me, Greg, if we make our children eat their spinach ( or other
unwanted food) will their spirit be broken?

Not the least chance his illness was the primary causal factor, or that
he would not have died in her care just as well. Right?

Had to be CPS, because, Greg it always is, isn't it?

Unless they return the child and the child dies...then it's ... oh wait.
EVEN THEN IT'S CPS FAULT, isn't that correct Greg?

0:-


--
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin (or someone else)

Carlson LaVonne wrote:


Greegor wrote:
LaVonne

Her child should not have died, but he did. He was removed for
inadequate medical care from his biological family.


Yes, inadequate medical care was the EXCUSE used for his removal.
The law suit found that EXCUSE was IN ERROR.

That's why there was a payout.

You seem to understand law even less than you understand child
development and parenting.

A payout means that a settlement was reached. This in no way is an
automatic of indication of error. This is a way to avoid further and
even more costly litigation.

A "settlement" does not denote "error." That can only be determined in
a court of law when a settlement isn't reached, the case either goes to
trial or the trial is completed, and the verdict is returned.

There was no verdict.

Heck, LaVonne, for the Greegors of the world that just, "details, details."

0:-


LaVonne




--
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin (or someone else)

"Carlson LaVonne" wrote in message
...


Greegor wrote:
LaVonne

Her child should not have died, but he did. He was removed for
inadequate medical care from his biological family.


Yes, inadequate medical care was the EXCUSE used for his removal.
The law suit found that EXCUSE was IN ERROR.

That's why there was a payout.

You seem to understand law even less than you understand child development
and parenting.

A payout means that a settlement was reached. This in no way is an
automatic of indication of error. This is a way to avoid further and even
more costly litigation.

A "settlement" does not denote "error." That can only be determined in a
court of law when a settlement isn't reached, the case either goes to
trial or the trial is completed, and the verdict is returned.

Chen's attorney, Geoffrey M. Grodner, Bloomington, said that type of
language is standard for pretrial settlements.

"It will be up to the people of the state to reach their own conclusions as
to whether the state acknowledged some potential liability in this matter,"
he said.

Yes - guilty scum often make quick settlements so the sad truth remains
hidden. The incompetent koo-koo's who destroyed this family should be tried
in criminal court and sent to prison as well as made to pay for their
blubbering incompetence.


There was no verdict.

LaVonne

George Giesler wrote:
"Carlson LaVonne" wrote in message
...

Greegor wrote:
LaVonne

Her child should not have died, but he did. He was removed for
inadequate medical care from his biological family.

Yes, inadequate medical care was the EXCUSE used for his removal.
The law suit found that EXCUSE was IN ERROR.

That's why there was a payout.
You seem to understand law even less than you understand child development
and parenting.

A payout means that a settlement was reached. This in no way is an
automatic of indication of error. This is a way to avoid further and even
more costly litigation.

A "settlement" does not denote "error." That can only be determined in a
court of law when a settlement isn't reached, the case either goes to
trial or the trial is completed, and the verdict is returned.

Chen's attorney, Geoffrey M. Grodner, Bloomington, said that type of
language is standard for pretrial settlements.

That kind of language is standard for post settlement attorneys. One
wouldn't want to think they didn't work for their money.

"It will be up to the people of the state to reach their own conclusions as
to whether the state acknowledged some potential liability in this matter,"
he said.

Yep. Sounds like Greg, if he had half a brain. Or you, Michael.

Trial by innuendo.

Yes - guilty scum often make quick settlements so the sad truth remains
hidden.

So do innocent scum that are required to guard the public treasury and
follow cost control in the risk category.

The incompetent koo-koo's who destroyed this family should be tried
in criminal court and sent to prison as well as made to pay for their
blubbering incompetence.

Of course. That's it. No proof, no trial, but now we want a criminal
trial. Perfect sense, isn't it, Michael?

Payment has already been made.

And one has to show criminal intent even before one can get a DA to go
for a trial.

Got any?

Your high state of emotions makes me think I've not taken sufficient
precautions. Guess I have to up the anti.

You seem determined to lie and place me with the people you have this
compulsive hatred for. Would you say I'm in any danger thereby?

Or the person you think I am? Just how violent are your feelings and do
you have a history of losing control?


There was no verdict.

LaVonne



--
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin (or someone else)

"0:-" wrote in message
news:1oudnROMSdvVRFLZnZ2dnUVZ_oqdnZ2d@scnresearch. com...
George Giesler wrote:
"Carlson LaVonne" wrote in message
...

Greegor wrote:
LaVonne

Her child should not have died, but he did. He was removed for
inadequate medical care from his biological family.

Yes, inadequate medical care was the EXCUSE used for his removal.
The law suit found that EXCUSE was IN ERROR.

That's why there was a payout.
You seem to understand law even less than you understand child
development and parenting.

A payout means that a settlement was reached. This in no way is an
automatic of indication of error. This is a way to avoid further and
even more costly litigation.

A "settlement" does not denote "error." That can only be determined in
a court of law when a settlement isn't reached, the case either goes to
trial or the trial is completed, and the verdict is returned.

Chen's attorney, Geoffrey M. Grodner, Bloomington, said that type of
language is standard for pretrial settlements.

That kind of language is standard for post settlement attorneys. One
wouldn't want to think they didn't work for their money.

"It will be up to the people of the state to reach their own conclusions
as to whether the state acknowledged some potential liability in this
matter," he said.

Yep. Sounds like Greg, if he had half a brain. Or you, Michael.

Trial by innuendo.

Yes - guilty scum often make quick settlements so the sad truth remains
hidden.

So do innocent scum that are required to guard the public treasury and
follow cost control in the risk category.

The incompetent koo-koo's who destroyed this family should be tried in
criminal court and sent to prison as well as made to pay for their
blubbering incompetence.

Of course. That's it. No proof, no trial, but now we want a criminal
trial. Perfect sense, isn't it, Michael?

Payment has already been made.

And one has to show criminal intent even before one can get a DA to go for
a trial.

Got any?

Your high state of emotions makes me think I've not taken sufficient
precautions. Guess I have to up the anti.

You seem determined to lie and place me with the people you have this
compulsive hatred for. Would you say I'm in any danger thereby?

Or the person you think I am? Just how violent are your feelings and do
you have a history of losing control?


Stop whining like a scared rabbit. If you destroyed folks lives, you should
be held responsible. Read your own posts. Folks should be responsible for
their actions. Even you Butch.

So when the time comes for you to pay the piper for the dance you so loved,
take it like a 'man' Butch.

Put on that 'bulldyke packin heat' look and suck it up. lol



There was no verdict.

LaVonne



--
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin (or someone else)

George Giesler wrote:
"0:-" wrote in message
news:1oudnROMSdvVRFLZnZ2dnUVZ_oqdnZ2d@scnresearch. com...
George Giesler wrote:
"Carlson LaVonne" wrote in message
...
Greegor wrote:
LaVonne

Her child should not have died, but he did. He was removed for
inadequate medical care from his biological family.
Yes, inadequate medical care was the EXCUSE used for his removal.
The law suit found that EXCUSE was IN ERROR.

That's why there was a payout.
You seem to understand law even less than you understand child
development and parenting.

A payout means that a settlement was reached. This in no way is an
automatic of indication of error. This is a way to avoid further and
even more costly litigation.

A "settlement" does not denote "error." That can only be determined in
a court of law when a settlement isn't reached, the case either goes to
trial or the trial is completed, and the verdict is returned.
Chen's attorney, Geoffrey M. Grodner, Bloomington, said that type of
language is standard for pretrial settlements.
That kind of language is standard for post settlement attorneys. One
wouldn't want to think they didn't work for their money.

"It will be up to the people of the state to reach their own conclusions
as to whether the state acknowledged some potential liability in this
matter," he said.
Yep. Sounds like Greg, if he had half a brain. Or you, Michael.

Trial by innuendo.

Yes - guilty scum often make quick settlements so the sad truth remains
hidden.
So do innocent scum that are required to guard the public treasury and
follow cost control in the risk category.

The incompetent koo-koo's who destroyed this family should be tried in
criminal court and sent to prison as well as made to pay for their
blubbering incompetence.
Of course. That's it. No proof, no trial, but now we want a criminal
trial. Perfect sense, isn't it, Michael?

Payment has already been made.

And one has to show criminal intent even before one can get a DA to go for
a trial.

Got any?

Your high state of emotions makes me think I've not taken sufficient
precautions. Guess I have to up the anti.

You seem determined to lie and place me with the people you have this
compulsive hatred for. Would you say I'm in any danger thereby?

Or the person you think I am? Just how violent are your feelings and do
you have a history of losing control?


Stop whining like a scared rabbit. If you destroyed folks lives, you should
be held responsible. Read your own posts. Folks should be responsible for
their actions. Even you Butch.

So when the time comes for you to pay the piper for the dance you so loved,
take it like a 'man' Butch.

Put on that 'bulldyke packin heat' look and suck it up. lol

If I had destroyed any families lives I might have something to worry
about.

So far, no complaints. I sure helped keep a lot of families together by
both my lobbying efforts for Open Adoption and for Kinship support from
the state and federal government.

Hey, I used to even turn people on to their own employers willing to
help them out financially.

So much for "destroy."

You really have a thing going about queers, don't you, boy?

You know what they way about people with a fixation on things....most
likely they are harboring some of the same feelings and it scares them
so they overreact against it.

Tsk. But don't worry. I'm not concerned about queers. To me they are
just people.

In fact, later this week I have a visit planned with two ladies that are
remodeling their home with fantastic stone veneer and they are doing it
all themselves.

Neither looks like they are more than delicate flowers, but both could
probably dead lift you, after all that big stone slab moving and hauling.

I did some work on their garden for them. Sort of a paid hobby of mine.
I'll tell them to watch out for you. They have children of their own too.

That makes you double dangerous doesn't it?

The very idea that queers would have kids they could molest?


There was no verdict.

You seemed to miss the point of the thread here, child.
Any particular reason?

ADD, possibly?

I suspect Usenet is full of learning disabled folks, but I'm always here
to help.

0:-




LaVonne


--
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin (or someone else)




--
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin (or someone else)