Foster Parents Blame Media For Negative Image

Lack Of Foster Families Is Crisis In Kern County

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A foster mother arrested Tuesday on charges stemming from the death of a baby was released Friday from police custody.

Police said they are awaiting toxicology reports on the child's death to decide whether Sabrina Stafford should be charged with willful child neglect. Police do not know when the toxicology reports will be finished, KERO reported.

Police found one of Stafford's foster children dead in her home Sunday morning. Another child was found with a temperature of nearly 105 degrees -- she also appeared to be dehydrated.

Other foster parents said it is extremely rare for substandard parents to be allowed to foster children.

Jennifer Coffman has fostered about 16 children in the last four years. She now has three foster children. Coffman is one of the 408 foster families that support 3,000 foster children in Kern County. She said the problem is not the administration of child welfare services, but the foster family crisis.

"I think they are doing what they can with what they (have)," Coffman said.

Bobbie Rufus, a foster mother for 14 years, said there are several reasons for the shortage of foster parents. She said foster parents are not offered childcare, many of the children have behavorial problems and the media puts negative attention on the foster-care system.

"When something happens, there is an outcry in the community. Where's the community when they need homes?" Rufus said.

There are countless success stories that are never reported, according to KERO.

Henry, a child Rufus raised since he was a baby, had severe emotional problems and was severely malnourished. Today, at the age of 16, Henry is a varsity football play at Liberty High School with a grade-point average of 3.5 and is involved in a host of school activities.

As for Coffman's children, her home is spotless, and her children appear to be happy, playful and well-adjusted.

Foster parents said they are hoping more people in the community will reach out, so there will be more successes stories, and fewer children who currently don't have a chance.

Child welfare officials said they have requested legislation that will provide day care for working foster parents.