5 Years After Grace Packer's Murder, Changes Still Needed to Protect Foster Kids

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In 2016, 14-year-old Grace Packer was raped and murdered by her adoptive mother and her mother’s boyfriend. Yet five years later, officials say major changes…

Five years after Grace Packer was raped and murdered by her adoptive mother and her mother's boyfriend, officials say major changes to Pennsylvania's foster care system still haven't been made.It’s been five years since 14-year-old Grace Packer was raped and murdered by her adoptive mother and her mother’s boyfriend. The case sent shockwaves throughout Pennsylvania and shed light on the issues within the state's foster care system.

“I got wrapped up in Jake’s fantasy,” Sara Packer said. “I didn’t think I could tell him no without losing him.”Prosecutors said Sullivan and Packer also gave the teen what they intended to be a lethal dose of over-the-counter medication and left her to die in a sweltering attic. some of her bindings and spit the gag out, but was unable to make it out of the house before Sullivan and Packer returned overnight — some 12 hours later — and Sullivan strangled her as Sara Packer watched.

Sara Packer lost her job as a Northampton County adoptions supervisor in 2010 and was barred from taking in any more foster children. But child welfare authorities did not remove Grace from the home, despite evidence of abuse. "The evaluation identified concerns that Grace may have been molested. However, it was unknown when this happened or who may have abused her," the report said of an incident reported to Berks County Children and Youth.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services launched an investigation after Grace's murder. Its findings have not been made public. Despite the reports, officials say there have been few changes to the foster care system since Grace’s death.

 

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