More info needed in care cases

To the editor:

While I realize there are parents who neglect their children on purpose or with no regard, I can't help but think that one of the instances on your front page was not the case, the one where there were children living in a rented trashy and poorly maintained house on Pearl Street.

I read where the landlord called the child-protection people but didn't offer and explanation as to why he didn't maintain the property with running water and enclosed pipes in the kitchen. How come the landlord wasn't brought up on charges of property neglect and, in turn, child endangerment?

I also saw where there was going to be an effort to get help for the children through area programs. These programs do not have the funding to help a lot of these people. This is what happens with budget cuts. People fall through the cracks.

I don't believe all this has been investigated enough before bringing the parents up on charges and taking their children away. Is this the new way to treat needy people?

VIRGINIA HARRISON, Jackson