Foster care often fails kids with disabilities. Consider these cases

Sep 30, 2026 · Joseph Shapiro

Originally published by NPR News Read the original

Foster care often fails kids with disabilities. Consider these cases

Bobbie (left) and DeForrest Williams hold a portrait of their son, Christian Williams, at their home in Buckeye, Ariz. Christian died at age 15 of diabetes complications while in a residential foster care program.

Disabled kids make up the largest group in foster care. They have the worst outcomes. They stay in foster care longest. They're the most likely to die.

(Image credit: Courtney Pedroza for NPR)