Child Welfare Scandal in Northern France Leads to Prison Sentences for Caretakers
Between 2010 and 2017, approximately sixty children placed by the Aide Sociale à l’Enfance (ASE) in Northern France experienced serious mistreatment in unlicensed foster homes. Two men, Julien M. and Bruno C., were convicted and received sentences of six and four years in prison, respectively. The court heard testimonies of violence and illegal labor, with additional sentences imposed on the children’s caregivers. The ASE’s role was scrutinized amid calls for accountability in the child welfare system. Appeals to the ruling are forthcoming.