Counties Released From Class Action Lawsuit Alleging False Claims of Child Abuse

About 18 months ago, Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley was parading families before both Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners and Northampton County Council. Though Pinsley has no medical degrees, he nevertheless maintained that numerous Lehigh Valley families were the victims of unfounded claims of child abuse. At the very least, he insisted that county child protection agencies should seek second opinions before attempting to separate a child from his family. He even alleged that he, too, was a victim of threatened staffing cuts over a report he was releasing. 

At the time, Pinsley was running for state auditor general. Once he lost that race, his concerns about misdiagnosed child abuse mysteriously vanished. 

While he may have ridden off into the sunset, looking for the next issue he can find to propel himself into higher office, the families he once championed filed a class action lawsuit against Lehigh Valley Health Network ... in Philadelphia County. The grass there may not be greener, but the jury verdicts are. 

Lehigh Valley Health Network, in turn, has attempted to join the Children and Youth Agencies of Montgomery, Lackawanna, Monroe, Lehigh, Pike and Northampton Counties. After an importunate five tries, the Court has said, "Enough Already!" (I'm paraphrasing). Judge Gwen Bright has dismissed the attempted joinder with prejudice, meaning no more swings will be permitted.

Judge Bright issued no opinion, but the counties argued they are immune. 

The class action suit against Lehigh Valley Health Network and a cavalcade of doctors continues, with no end in sight. 

$500,000 Bail Set For Bethlehem Cop Accused of Seducing 14 YO Girl and Taking Upskirt Photo of Middle School Student

Bethlehem police officer Costas Alestas is behind bars. After his arrest yesterday for numerous alleged sexual encounters with a 14 yo East Hills Middle School girl, as well as an upskirt video he shot of another female student, he was preliminarily arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Vivian Zumas. She set bail at $500,000, and Alestas is now off the street.

The criminal complaint, including a very detailed affidavit of probable cause, can be seen below. It is actually somewhat shocking to read. NorCo DA Steve Baratta announced the charges yesterday at a news conference inside Bethlehem's City Hall. I unfortunately was unavailable. 

Yesterday, I received an anonymous comment hurling some serious accusations against other Bethlehem police officers. If you'd like me to publish them, you are going to have to tell me who you are and the basis for your invective. Most cops are decent and honorable people. Unfortunately, an incident like this tarnishes them all. 

Alestas Criminal Complaint by bernieohareiii on Scribd

NorCo DA: East Hills Middle School SRO Being Charged With Sexual Offenses

Northampton County DA Steve Baratta will be conducted a news conference tomorrow "at 2pm in the rotunda at Bethlehem City Hall. Costas Alestas, a school resource officer at East Hills Middle School, [is] being charged with Statutory Sexual Assault, Institutional Sexual Assault, Aggravated Indecent Assault, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, Criminal Use of a Communications Facility, and Invasion of Privacy."

From what I've been told, a teacher has been either suspended or placed on leave as well. It's unclear whether those matters are related.

Officer Alestas had been a Big Brother. The Bethlehem Police Department, on its Facebook page stated in 2017 that he was "mentoring" students at Broughal Middle School. "The officers meet with their little brothers/sisters once a week and play sports, help with schoolwork, read or just chat about things going on in their lives." 

I realize Alestas is presumed innocent, but this is a bad look for Bethlehem's Police Department, especially during law enforcement week. 

Vargo-Heffner Claims Victims of Unfounded Child Abuse "Somewhat Slanderous"

Back in September, a large number of parents who claimed to be victims of unfounded complaints of child abuse shared their concerns with Northampton County Council over three hours of emotional public comments. Most of their complaints were directed at Dr. Debra Ersenio-Jenssen, a child abuse pediatrics specialist who recently retired from Lehigh Valley Health Network. Nobody provided notice to Dr. Ersenio-Jenssen, but even if they had, she would be unable to respond without violating patient confidentiality.  So County Council only heard one side of the story, but it bothered most members of Council. President Kerry Myers said it was the "toughest three hours" he ever had to endure. Council member Ron Heckman said it "all seems so bizarre." Even Executive Lamont McClure, who is far from warm and and fuzzy, said you have to feel empathy for the "pain and real trauma" recounted by parents. But not all Council members felt that empathy.  Council member Lori Vargo Heffner last week claimed these parents were "somewhat slanderous in a way."

Vargo-Heffner made these remarks during a Human Services Committee meeting at which Children, Youth and Families (CYF) was asked to explain their process after receiving complaints of abuse. Before that, Vargo-Heffner called a meeting of the Governance Committee to see if there was some way Council could shut down the unwashed masses from saying things that hurt her ears. Her own explanation? "Given that last month's meeting was very long due to public comment, I had questions about whether there was any flexibility, if there were any rules about that, and did we want to take a look at that as well as other matters that I've heard Council address at times about how we conduct our meetings."  Fortunately, no changes were made to council's public comment policy. 

It was actually  Council member Ron Heckman who was so bothered by these allegations that he wanted to hear from CYF, but he unfortunately was sidelined. 

Maria Torres, who administers Northampton County's CYF, did provide some clarification. The number of children who are in placement is 200. That's down from a high of 319 in 2021. Of the 200 children in placement, about 80 of them are in "kinship care," which means that the children are still in the hands of family members. 

The top three referrals of child abuse or neglect come from schools, medical professionals and law enforcement. Once a complaint is received, the child is seen as soon as possible. The parents are seen within 72 hours. 

A committee will decide whether allegations are serious enough to warrant placement, but no child is placed without first getting a court order. The primary concern of CYF is the child's safety.

All parents, regardless of ability to pay, are represented by legal counsel. They can obtain their own or a lawyer will be furnished by the county. All children are represented by a guardian ad litem.

According to Torres, once a child is placed, efforts are made to reunify the child with his or her family within 12-15 months. 

I Really Do Like Children

The cover photo in yesterday's story about Human Services workers evoked pious indignation from some of you.

There was this:

"Totally tasteless photo. If you think it is amusing, you are a sick man."

I think it's amusing.

And this:

"The picture is very clearly child abuse, and your thought that it is "funny" is disturbing. Just reposting it perpetuates the abuse, similar to child pornography. Just because you didn't create the photo, doesn't remove your complicity. I agree with many of your viewpoints, and would like to think that your removal of the photo will be coming quickly. If it doesn't your blog must be reported to Blogger, IWF, and NCMEC.
Please remove immediately."

I'm unclear on what the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has to do with this, but report away.

These outraged people lack something known as a sense of humor.

I better stop now to explain that I really do like children . . . if they are properly cooked.

NorCo Gov't Finally Demonstrates Transparency in Packer Case

I've been highly critical of the way that Executive John Brown and NorCo Council have responded to Sara Packer, the ex-adoption supervisor accused in the rape, murder and dismemberment of her own adopted daughter. Packer at one time worked for a placement agency called the Impact Project, and had also fostered at least 30 children. How many had she abused? What role, if any, did Children Youth and Families (CYF) play? Could this be part of a bigger problem? Did she use her connections in what appears to be a foster child industry to prey upon innocents? Instead of addressing these issues, Northampton County buried its head in the sand. It ignored calls from NBC-10 reporter Deanna Durante, and even actively misled her. HR Director Amy Trapp temporarily cut off Controller Steve Barron's access to computer records because he was the only one willing to speak publicly. Council refused to bring CYF to a Council meeting and answer at least some questions that would both reassure the public and give CYF an opportunity to explain that what happened is an anomaly. Things came to a head when Durante came to a Council meeting and confronted both them and Brown.

It was an amazing display of bad government. Fortunately, there has since been an equally amazingly display of good government. It's what can happen when government actually listens to someone like Durante instead of hiding from her.

Durante has continued digging into this story, speaking to foster children placed with Sarah Packer. She spoke to a foster child who now is herself a caseworker. When she was a child, she had been placed with the Packers, courtesy of the Impact Project. This child,like another child,reported abuse at the Packer household to the Impact Project, and claims she was ignored.

Barron was aware that NorCo is one of several counties using the Impact Project.He knew that the County had just mailed the Impact Project $37,147.92. Here's part of Barron's email to CYF and Brown.

It is important to note that this was Sara Packer's place of employment prior to coming to work for Northampton County, and there is a possibility she continued to moonlight with them after she began working with us. She clearly received foster children from the agency on an ongoing basis until her husband was accused of abuse which led to Ms. Packer's termination from Northampton County.

This information is troubling and makes me question whether or not it is a good idea to continue to engage with the Impact Project until the investigation is over. We now have two people who have come forward about abuse that was not follow up on or reported by the Impact Project. While these children were not Northampton County Children, can we continue to roll the dice. I believe that Pinebrook and other agencies provide this service (which is part of a project I am looking at for a larger audit in the future) so I don't think suspending the use of Impact would hurt the county and prevent services from being provided. I just don't think we can take a chance on this agency knowing what we have heard about in news reports.It is important to note that this was Sara Packer's place of employment prior to coming to work for Northampton County, and there is a possibility she continued to moonlight with them after she began working with us. She clearly received foster children from the agency on an ongoing basis until her husband was accused of abuse which led to Ms. Packer's termination from Northampton County.

Instead of cutting off Barron's access again, the County actually listened. Human Services Director Allison Frantz issued a news release. (She failed to send me a copy, but it's the thought that counts). In this news release, Frantz says,

A procedure is in place to investigate allegations of abuse. When foster parents are involved, the Pennsylvania Office of Children, Youth and Families, specifically the Regional Division, is in charge of investigating those allegations.

Northampton County continues to engage in the proper investigatory procedures. The county is taking all necessary steps to ensure that the children placed through Northampton County, including those placed through The Impact Project, are not subject to abuse. Northampton County has used the Impact Project as a foster care provider. However, referrals to The Impact Project have been suspended.

Since that time, several other counties have followed suit.Better safe than sorry.

That's how government should work.It's called transparency. Is that so hard?

Dietz Gets Answers About NorCo CYF Caseworkers

In the wake of the alleged murder of a 15 year-old girl by NorCo's former adoption supervisor, Human Services Chair Seth Vaughn originally vowed he would ask Human Services and Children and Youth to come to a meeting and explain in detail how child protective services works. But he eventually decided to play the same stonewall game that Executive John Brown was playing, and looked like a deer caught in the headlights when he was eventually confronted by NBC10's Deanna Durante last month.

Later, I submitted a series of questions that could be asked, but Vaughn refused to submit them. He toldKenKraft that it was out of animus for me.

Matt Dietz, another member of the Committee, is a person I opposed when he ran for election. But he posed those questions, especially since some of his constituents were asking them, too. He got answers from Allison Frantz, the Director of Human Services. Though she failed to appear at the meeting, he made her remarks part of the record. Here is their exchange.

Northampton County Department of Human Services

Children, Youth and Families - Questions/Answers

February 13, 2017

1.                   1.           How many CYF caseworkers are employed by Northampton County? 

There are 75 Caseworker (CW) positions approved and budgeted by the state and County Council.

Total staff complement is 128.  This includes case-aides, secretaries, and attorneys.

2.             How many positions are vacant and how long have they been vacant?

61 caseworker positions are filled, 16 are vacant.  Three (3) of the 16 are newly created positions attached to a new unit called Family Group Decision Making [FGDM], which was approved by Council in December 2016.

The oldest CW vacancy is from July 2016.  The hiring process was delayed due to the 90 day right of return per PA Civil Service regulation.

3.             What is the turnover rate and do we know what the industry average is?

               

                CYF has a continuous vacancy rate and is always engaged in the hiring process.

In 2015, 22 departed = 29% turnover rate.

In 2016, 16 departed = 21% turnover rate.

On the National level, the caseworker turnover rate is between 30% & 40%.The state rate is not available.

There are a variety of factors that affect turnover.  The typical reasons for turnover in a given entry level position [poor working conditions, salary, potential advancement into management] don’t apply here.

As an entry level position, some employees use the position as an entry point to county employment and transfer to other county agencies.  Some employees are at a mobile stage in their life and not rooted to a geographical area and move based on a variety of factors.  Some employees view the casework position as an entry point in the field of child welfare services.  They may leave county employment to focus on foster care work with a nonprofit organization.  They may find their calling in behavioral therapy or psychological services.  It’s a position that requires a great deal of training and certification after hire, and not all people prefer the intensity of the work or training involved.  

4.             What is their caseload like? 

Caseload size is between 12 and 25.       

The CYF caseload does not exceed the state maximum caseload limit of 30 cases.

Child Welfare League of America recommends 12-15 cases

5.             How many hours do they work daily/weekly? 

Caseworkers put in an eight hour day with a forty hour work week.

Overtime hours average 2 hours per week.

6.             Does this caseload exceed the state recommendation? 

Caseload size is between 12 and 25.       

The CYF caseload does not exceed the state maximum caseload limit of 30 cases.

Child Welfare League of America recommends 12-15 cases.

7.             Do we have safeguards to follow up with families and/or youth when a CYF worker has contact with a child? 

The job description for a caseworker illustrates that a substantial part of their duties requires field work with families and contact with children.

Cases are tightly monitored for caseworker professionalism, thoroughness, and respectfulness as well as, regulatory requirements. 

During the probationary period workers go in the field with a seasoned worker.  During the course of a case, a caseworker can be accompanied by a seasoned worker or supervisor.

Every two years, existing employees must successfully obtain the PA State Police, ChildLine and FBI clearances.  At the DHS Director’s discretion, an employee may need to submit to clearance checks during the two year period.

Outline, generally and specifically, of case monitoring which provides for all manner of review of caseworker interaction.

Generally:

Cases are reviewed by a supervisor.  The supervisor reviews cases with the CYF Admin team.  Policy dictates cases are to be staffed /reviewed with CYF administration when direction is needed and if custody of a child is recommended.  Placement reviews occur on an ongoing basis; decisions are made as a team and are not solely resting on any one caseworker's shoulders. 

The Courts also monitor all dependent and Court ordered placement of children.

CYF has an annual licensing review/certification by the PA office of Children, Youth and Families.

Families with a concern call the supervisor and/or program director.  Families can also call the State Office of CYF.

Specifically:

A supervisor must review the cases, initially, every 10 days with the caseworker.  When the case is accepted for services, the identified risk level mandates the frequency of contact ranging from weekly face to face contact to monthly face to face contact.  Risk level determination is a state requirement and the minimum frequency is monthly face to face contact.

Northampton CYF also engages in quarterly reviews whereby every supervisor must submit current details of each case.  The caseworkers provide to the supervisors such details as:  the current status of the situation, paperwork completion status, court proceedings status and verification that all regulatory requirements and timelines are met.

8.             How are complaints against a CYF caseworker handled? 

Complaints are investigated by the administrator, assistant administrator, program director, supervisor or the Regional offices.

If a complaint is verified, discipline of different levels or dismissal may occur.

9.             How many complaints have been made against CYF caseworkers, year by year?

The last complaint against a CYF worker was in 2012.  The individual’s county employment was severed.

In 2016, Northeast Regional OCYF reported 44 duplicated complaints/calls attributed to the Northampton County Children Youth and Families Division.

Majority of complaints are in two categories:  unsatisfied with the outcome, unsatisfied with the issued court order.  There have been no specific caseworker complaints.

The Director of the Northeast Regional Office indicates the number of calls is not high for a 3^rd class county.

In addition, the CYF Administrator receives approximately 35 general complaints a year.  These calls are in the same categories as received by the regional office. There have been no specific caseworker complaints.

10.          What are the ongoing requirements/certifications for a CYF worker?

A candidate must first submit application and complete testing with the PA State Civil Service Commission (SCSC) to be considered for employment.

Prior to employment, references are contacted.  Potential hires must provide PA State Police, ChildLine and FBI clearances prior to date of employment.

When hired, the worker must complete a 6-month probationary period and attain Child Welfare Direct Service Worker Certification inclusive of Human Resources, DHS and CYF orientations and completion of “Charting the Course.”  “Charting the Course” is a 120-hour (10-module) course provided by the PA Child Welfare Resource Center, under the auspices of the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work.

All caseworkers, once certified, are required to have a minimum of 20 hours annual training in Social work related fields.  There are additional annual training requirements for staff that have attained licensure. 

Every two years, existing employees must successfully obtain the PA State Police, ChildLine and FBI clearances.  At the DHS Director’s discretion, an employee may need to submit to clearance checks during the two year period. 

Ex NorCo CYF Staffer on Packer - "She Fooled All of Us!"

Until late December, Mary Beth Jacavage was employed in Northampton County's Children Youth and Families Division (CYF). You can still see her name listed on the County web page as a General Protective Services Intake Supervisor. This Bloomsburg University graduate, with a degree in psychology, spent 22 years on the front lines of child abuse, as well as an additional year in Early Intervention. She believes that CYF is in need of an overhaul. She was also able to share what she knows about Sara Packer, the ex-adoption supervisor charged with murdering and dismembering her own adopted daughter.

Sara Packer: Jacavage was employed by NorCo CYF during the entire time that Packer was there, but never directly supervised her. "She fooled all of us!" is how she summed up Packer. "Nothing was saying to us that she was going too rape and murder a child." But she described her as liking to dress in Goth attire, or dyeing her hair numerous different colors. She indicated that ne fellow supervisor had expressed concerns about Packer. She also said that Packer had told her co-workers that she never wanted to adopt Grace. She only wanted a boy, bit Pennsylvania promotes sibling adoption, and Packer would be unable to adopt the boy unless she also took Grace.

CYF workers: Jacavage indicates that the staff is overworked and underpaid. I know from other sources that twelve hour days are not common, and the starting salary for a Caseworker I is only about $33,000. She indicated that the low salary is "no excuse for an uncaring and inhumane attitude." She indicated that most caseworker are conscientious and work hard, but there are a few "who are cold and power hungry and disrespectful."

CYF Administration: Most of her criticism is focused on Director Kevin Dolan and his Assistant, Patricia Himmelwright, as well as their managing attorney, Valerie Cammarene. In fairness, and this has been my big concern all along, they have been muzzled and are unable to respond. But after speaking with Jacavage, I believe her concerns about Valerie Cammarene. If true, they illustrate a person who is cold and disrespectful.

• At a dependency hearing this summer, a mother was in court who had children with several different fathers. According to Jacavage, Cammarene started singing a song about it, set to the tune of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," ridiculing the mother. We all have opinions about women whose poor choices often lead to multiple fathers, but Cammarene publicly humiliated the mother, displaying a total lack of respect. Kevin Dolan was apprised of this situation, and refused to do anything.
• In another dependency matter involving a father who was extremely nervous, Cammerene taunted him with "Let the games begin!"  
• In a dependency or custody matter in which a judge had requested information from CYF, Cammerene took it upon herself to review the file, gave erroneous information to the court because she failed to read it properly, and the judge awarded custody to the wrong party. The child involved was so devastated by this turn of events that she tried to commit suicide. She was sent to a psychiatric facility, where another patient assaulted her and knocked out a tooth. 

I have focused on the Cammarene allegations because she just happens to be the attorney who is reviewing the cases on which Packer worked.  The state DHS has decided to conduct its own investigation.

I have hesitated to write about Jacavage for two reasons. First, what she tells me is inconsistent with my own interactions with Kevin Dolan. Second, he's unable to respond. But I am disclosing her more pertinent criticisms primarily because this kind of abuse has happened befo CYF.

In 2010, Jose Huertas Aponte, a NorCo CYF caseworker, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 12 year-old boy. Judge Michael Koury sentenced him to 12-24 years in state prison, the maximum he could impose under state law. “You of all people know it was your job to help and protect children,” Judge Koury said.

That's a job we all have.

While NorCo Stonewalls, State DHS to Investigate Former NorCo Adoption Supervisor

While Executive John Brown is enjoying himself in sunny Florida, Northampton County officials have done nothing to reassure the public or defend their own Children and Youth Department after the arrest of a former adoption supervisor over thee drugging rape, murder and dismemberment of her own adopted daughter. This complete lack of accountability and transparency only sews the seeds of distrust in a department that is already often vilified, and unfairly, for saving the lives of children. While the county administration pretends all is well, the State Department of Human Services has thankfully opened its own investigation.

Cathy Utz,  Director of the State Office of Children, Youth and Families (CYF), has been in contact with Controller Steve Barron to confirm the dates of accused murderer Sara Packer's employment with Northampton County. Incredibly, county administrators were unable to give her that information.It's one thing to stonewall the press or the public. It is quite another to play games with the state. Hopefully, this is just some sort of misunderstanding.

Over the years, Sara Packer had 30 foster children living under her roof. They came from Lehigh, Berks and Bucks County. She had no foster children that were from Northampton County, so far as anyone knows. It is my understanding that a NorCo CYF employee is unable to foster children up for placement in Northampton County. According to Barron, after the 2010 child abuse charges against Sara Packer's ex husband, she has been unable to foster children from anywhere.  This is something the County administration could confirm if it spoke publicly.

According to Barron, state officials plan to interview every one of the foster children who lived under Packer's roof. Hopefully, that investigation will also include interviews with the personsin thoseadoption agencies who referred children to Packer.

It is unclear whether the state DHS will investigate the files on which Packer worked for NorCo. It is known that a county CYF lawyer has taken them for review. In my view, this requires an independent investigation, not a whitewash, and an interview with every family she touched.

Another disturbing point. Packer did work for a human services agency in the private sector after being let go by Northampton County. It is unclear whether this agency involved children.

I have also heard from someone calling himself  "Max Quaad." Though county officials have done nothing to inform the public about the standards fora CYF caseworker, he has supplied some details.

"CYF Caseworkers as well as all County Caseworkers are vetted by PA Civil Service regarding initial application credentials. Applicants for CYF ( Since this is the topic) are interviewed by a the Assistant CYF Administrator and a "Committee" of managers and if selected, require FBI, SBI and Child Line clearances before they are offered a position. Once an applicant is hired as a County Caseworker, they are required to complete a basic training program prescribed by the State Office of Children, Youth, and Families through the U of Pitt and other sanctioning organizations to be certified. ALL County Caseworkers are on probation and AT WILL employees for a period of six months and are to be further vetted during that time. County Caseworkers are required to complete at least 20 hours of training each year to hold the certifications.

"After all of that, it's a crap shoot because County Administration has a dubious policy of standing shoulder to shoulder with local managers and supervisors no matter how bad, and that policy is entirely unacceptable. Every administration is briefed by appropriate people and this one was too. The cases that Mr. O'Hare references in his blog ought to be reviewed for the purpose of ensuring that each and every child involved has been accounted for.

"Further, Human Resources should be part of any interviews for promotions and this Executive needs to act on behalf of the Public AND the good people that are trying to perform their duties by the professional standards that important posts require. These County Caseworkers require proper support and have laid down an offer of proof that is irrefutable. We haven't seen any meaningful changes beyond that. No one can predict anything like what happened to these children from walking through those doors. But it's not the only one over the course of a few years. Right? - Max Quadd"

NorCo Needs To Reassure Public In Murder Charges Against Ex-Adoption Supervisor

Sara Packer

Blogger's Note: You may wish to postpone reading this story until later in the day. It's disgusting at parts. 

A fellow used to stand outside the courthouse every morning. He was at the losing end of a custody battle, and carried signs that lambasted several county judges, as well as Children and Youth. Though likable, he was generally regarded with healthy skepticism. The same is true of child abuse awareness groups that occasionally gather outside the courthouse. But now that a former adoption supervisor in Northampton County has been charged with participating in the rape, murder and dismemberment of her own adopted daughter, the public is going to feel far less confident in the caseworkers at the county's Children,Youth and Families (CYF) division. Instead of assuring the public that what happened is an aberration, Executive John Brown has circled the wagons and has directed his staff to clam up. This is a disservice to the public he represents, as well as the many good people in CYF who work under him.

It's a case so bizarre it could be turned into a Netflix movie. Sara Packer was supposed to be the kind of person who looks after children, instead of participating in a scheme to rape and murder them. She had two adopted children herself. Her daughter Grace was adopted in Berks County. She was also, from time to time, a foster parent. She was unable to foster any children in Northampton County once she started working there in 2003, but she did foster about 30 children from other counties. Eventually, she became an adoption supervisor in Northampton County. But all that came to an end in 2010, when she was suspended without pay and terminated.

Shortly thereafter, her husband at that time, David Packer, was charged with sexually abusing an adopted daughter and a foster child in 2010. He and Sara were Grace's adoptive parents, so it's safe to assume he abused Grace when she was about nine. Packer was sentenced to one to five years in jail in Lehigh County, and was classified as a sexually violent predator.

After losing her job, it's unclear what Sara did until September 2015, when she began working for The Results Company, a corporate call center.

Eventually, she had a new boyfriend named Jake Sullivan, who is originally from Wisconsin. According to what Sullivan has now told police, she and he cooked up a plot to drug, rape and then kill 14 year-old Grace. He had sexually abused her before, performing oral sex on her twice. This time, he would rape her as well, while the former adoption supervisor watched and was sexually aroused as he bit the semi-conscious child's breast.

After it was over, they gave her more pills, hoping they would kill her. She threw up instead. So they just left her in the third floor attic, bound and gagged, figuring the heat would do her in. But a few hours later, when she was still alive and conscious, Sullivan wrapped his arm around her face and neck, "and slowly squeezed the life out of her."

Obviously, she suffered horribly.

The child was packed in kitty litter while Sara eventually went to Tractor Supply for a bow saw and two extra blades. She and Sullivan eventually cut up the desiccated remains, which were found by hunters in Luzerne County on Halloween Day 2016.

Though Sara Packer had reported that her daughter was missing, she made no frantic pleas on Facebook about her, something that people usually do if they're even missing a pet. She told police she had notified all her relatives, but they soon discovered that was untrue.

As a result of intense pressure from the police, Packer and Sullivan entered into a new pact. This time it was a suicide pact. They would both overdose on sleeping pills, and took them at the home of another of Sullivan's girlfriends. He left a note."I can't exist with Sara in jail and those fucking lying pigs and the whore media have made it impossible for us to live."

But he didn't die. The other girlfriend found him, and called police. A few hours later, she called again. Sara was in another room, and had taken pills, too, but not as many. Had Jake Sullivan died, the one witness who could clearly inculpate her would be out of the picture. But he lived, and now he's sorry.

The Northampton County connection was first made by NBC10’s Deanna Durante on December 28, but was completely missed by the dailies until yesterday. If they had any real integrity themselves, they would have given Durante credit because they never would have known about this but for her own hard work.

The county stonewalled multiple calls from Durante about Parker, even though Parker was discharged long before John Brown became Executive. I was waiting for Durante to appear before the Council's Human Services Committee later this month, something she was considering in her quest for information.

I understand the unwillingness to discuss someone's employment, even though the rules are different for a public sector employee. We have a right to know when a person was hired and why she was fired. We have the right to know how much she was paid. But there are bigger concerns. A prosecution like this destroys the public's confidence in our child protective services program. It tarnishes every person who works in CYF or Human Services, no matter how dedicated. By refusing to address this crisis, Brown has validated every criticism made of the department.

I understand that he's in Florida. If he can't return, he needs someone who can speak for him and address the public on the following matters:

• The County needs to review every case on which Sara Packer worked, and should be able to either confirm that nothing inappropriate happened,or that corrective action has been taken.
• The County needs to make the public aware of what kind of training CYF workers receive after they are hired.
• The County needs to assure the public that she was never a foster mother for any child in the Northampton County system because that is contrary to county policy. 

DePasquale: One of Every Five Child Abuse Calls Goes Unanswered

Earlier this month, I published a story calling child abuse America's hidden epidemic.It's going to stay that way. According to Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, over 42,000 calls to the state hotline for reporting suspected child abuse (1-800-932-0313), went unanswered last year. According to an ABC27 report, that's roughly one out of every five calls. The reasons cited were lack of staffing in Human Services and lack of funding from the state legislature.

DePasquale states that, in addition to missing over 44,000 calls, the state Department of Human Services failed to track or monitor nearly one-third of the calls received. Supervisors monitored only seven calls in 2015 (0.005%).

In the land of midnight payraises, the state legislature is busy trying to figure out ways to soak more money from the working poor with online gambling. Governor Wolf is promoting six-pack sales at WaWa, turning Pennsy into Jersey.

And 20% of the calls reporting child abuse are being ignored.

America's Hidden Epidemic - Child Abuse

Child abuse is called our hidden epidemic. Every year, over 3.6 million referrals are made to child protection agencies. In 2014, state agencies reported that 1,580 children died as a result of abuse and neglect. This is a problem that county governments face every day.

In Northampton County, Children, Youth and Families (CYF) had 10 caseworkers in 2014 who handled 732 child abuse incidents, and ultimately determined that 65 of them needed action. In 2015, 14 caseworkers fielded 1,076 reports of child abuse in 2015, and took action in 134 of these matters.

Possible signs of child abuse or neglect include the following:

* Behavior changes such as fear, anxiety, depression, aggression or withdrawal, not wanting to go home, or appearing afraid of certain individuals
* Overly sexualized behavior or use of explicit sexual language that's inappropriate for the child's age
* Changes in sleeping patterns including frequent nightmares, difficulty falling asleep. Both may result in the child appearing tired or fatigued
* Changes in school performance and attendance, such as being unable to concentrate in class or frequent absences
* Eating habits that lead to extreme weight gain or loss
* Visible unexplained injuries such as burns, bruises, or broken bones
* Use of drugs or alcohol
* Trouble walking or sitting

If you want to report possible child abuse, you can call 1-800-932-0313.

Bishop Barres Uses Pulpit to Go Easy on Child Predators

I missed Mass this past Sunday, and with it, the latest missive from the Most Reverend John O. Barres, Bishop of the Allentown Diocese, to his brothers and sisters in Christ. I'll have to miss Mass more often, especially after reading what his Majesty has to say.

Reader John is a better Catholic than I. He went to Mass, and provided me with a copy of the Bishop Barres' Bulletin. We're on a Crusade again, folks, so watch out!

We're not going after Islam because Trump is taking care of them. Nor are we going after the Jews because most of Europe is once again stoking the flames of anti-Semitism. We're going after innocent children.

The Holy Order is to urge state legislators to oppose any legislation that would eliminate the statute of limitations for child predators, many of whom wear that Roman collar like a wolf in sheep's clothing. Reason? It might cost money. Holy Mother Church might have to melt down a few golden candlestick holders.

John, who is a sinner like I, is dismayed.

"I found it notable that Bishop Barres would use his authority to send a letter like this, essentially urging parishioners to protect the church from civil lawsuits over past sexual abuse. I found it distasteful that he would put up as a defense that such lawsuits would take away funding from ministries that "feed the hungry and serve those in need". This seems particularly manipulative especially considering that the letter is silent about what the findings of past abuse investigations have turned up.

"As a long-time parishioner, I'd also note that I can hardly remember the last time that the Bishop took the time to send a two page letter urging the faithful to contact our representatives about numerous other important political and social issues."

When I was a kid, we had a summer place down the street from the Bishop's summer retreat at Beach Haven. My Dad, an irreverent and insensitive bastard of the first degree, would rise early in the morning and take Duke for a walk. He was our German Shepherd and a Lutheran who would shit all over the beach right in front of the Bishop's house, to the dismay of nuns and friars, and in violation of numerous laws and ordinances. (My Dad was very bad and is probably burning in Hell right now). His Excellency at that time was Joseph McShea. He caught my Dad one morning, and threatened us all with excommunication.

"Ah, go tend your flock," was my Father's reply.

That's what Barres should do, instead of making the Catholic Church look worse than it already does.

Allentown Bishop Opposes S/L Elimination For Child Predators

Devil Incarnate Disrupts Child Abuse Awareness Rally

There was an important child abuse awareness rally outside the Northampton County Courthouse on Friday afternoon. But it received little attention. Though the message itself is important, and chief messenger Charlies Stecker, Jr is very impressive, most of the small group who joined him consisted of people who have themselves lost siblings and children and are lashing out at everyone instead of dealing with their own issues.

Charlie's message 

Let me tell you about Charlie's message first.

He was just a four year-old toddler when his two year-old brother Eddie died in his arms. His foster mother, upset at a crying baby, let him have it with a toy bowling pin, knocking him out of the crib and onto the floor. As blood oozed out of Eddie's ears and nose, Charles held him until an ambulance arrived. But it was too late.

Shegda hides benind "Gestapo" sign

Ironically, Charles and his siblings had been taken from his biological parents over allegations of abuse. But they went from the frying pan and into the fire. To this day, Stecker is still unable to extend his arm as a result of the abuse that he received from his foster mother.

She never went to trial for Eddie's murder. She apparently died in a mental institution.

But Stecker, who calls himself God's bondservant on his Facebook page, has lots of unanswered questions. How did this mentally unstable woman end up as a foster parent? What happens to abused and neglected kids now? Stecker became a child advocate in Philadelphia, or as he refers to himself, a children's rights warrior. He founded The International Child Abuse Prevention Task Force.Yesterday's rally was supposed to be one of 400 worldwide, though I don't know if it actually happened anywhere else.

Charlie's messengers

I caught Shegda anyway

I saw this group waving their signs while waiting for a news conference later that day. I decided to find out what was happening, but was nearly assaulted by Ron Shegda. It would have happened, too, except that Charlie Stecker interposed himself between Shegda and me.

"It's the Devil Incarnate!" screamed Shegda when he saw me. I admit, I was dressed in red.

Who the Hell is Ron Shegda?

I first wrote about him in 2006, when he hadn't quite made up his mind whether he was running for the U.S.Senate or State Representative Bob Freeman's seat. He ended up going after Bob Freeman's seat three times, losing worse each time. The last time he ran things got so wacky that even the tea party excommunicated him.

Shegda wants Devil
Incarnate arrested

Shegda has a mentally challenged adult sister. She was taken from him, and nobody but human services, the Hellertown police and Shegda know how that happened. He has lashed out at everyone in Northampton County, from caseworkers to John Stoffa. He also befriended other local whack jobs, including the Blog mentor and Tricia Mezzacappa. When you see all the hate comments directed at Stoffa and former Human Services Director Ross Marcus, you know where most of them are coming from.

Naturally, he was a Bobby Gunther Walsh guest on crackpot radio.

Anyhoo, when Shegda saw me, he began screaming that I had no right to take pictures. Never mind that this was a public rally on public property. I recognized several of the people with him, and they have issues themselves. They called for the Sheriff to have me ejected or whatever for taking pictures of their public demonstration.

I have no doubt that Charlie Stecker means well. But he should be more careful about who he attracts to his banner. Instead of hearing the voiceless children, divisive people like Shegda make people run away.