Children placed in foster care depend on adults and agencies to provide a safe living environment. When sexual abuse in Allentown foster care homes occurs, fault for the resulting harm can involve not only the person who committed the abuse but also those responsible for failures in screening, supervision, reporting, or response. A sexual abuse lawyer could review what happened and identify records that may show how the agency approved and monitored the placement.
At Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., we represent survivors of sexual abuse and families seeking answers after abuse occurs in trusted settings. Our skilled sexual abuse and assault attorneys have handled these types of matters for more than 20 years. We could examine the evidence while explaining the civil claims that may be available.
State law requires foster family care agencies to obtain criminal history and child abuse information for prospective foster parents and certain adult household members. Under 23 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 6344, agencies must review this information before approving a foster placement and must consider additional information about the household and applicant.
These requirements can matter when a child suffers sexual abuse while living in an Allentown foster care home. An attorney could review who approved the placement, whether they completed the required checks, and whether the available records showed warning signs of abuse. Our team could assess whether the agency had information that should have prompted further investigation or protective action.
Civil claims often depend on records that show whether an agency or caregiver had notice of a risk and how they responded.
Useful evidence may include:
State regulations require county agencies to investigate suspected child abuse and take steps to protect children during an investigation. Under 55 Pa. Code § 3490.55, an investigation must begin within 24 hours, with immediate action required in certain emergencies. Records from this process may help show how the Allentown foster care agency responded after receiving reports of sexual abuse at the home and whether earlier intervention could have reduced the risk of further harm.
Liability depends on the facts and on each person’s or organization’s contribution. The individual who committed the abuse may face direct civil liability. A foster care agency or another responsible entity may also face a claim if failures in screening or supervision contributed to the harm.
Our attorneys could examine how the agency handled the placement and obtain any records that may clarify what happened. This review may show whether someone reported concerns about the Allentown foster home’s care before the sexual abuse occurred or whether the agency had information that should have prompted a different response. Evidence could help distinguish the abuser’s conduct from institutional decisions that may have increased the risk.
A civil claim could help address failures that contributed to abuse in a foster placement. For survivors of sexual abuse in Allentown foster care homes, a legal review could focus on how the agency approved the placement and whether they responded appropriately once concerns arose. The available records may also help show whether another party bears responsibility.
If you are ready to discuss what happened, our attorneys at Soloff & Zervanos, P.C. could review the circumstances surrounding the abuse and help protect evidence that may support your claim. We could explain the legal path forward based on the facts of your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
