One of Niagara County's 2018 "foster parents of the year" now faces allegations of child abuse.
Kathleen M. Jackson, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree assault of an individual who is less a seven years old.
District Attorney Caroline Wojtaszek said a one-week investigation was conducted after Niagara County Child Protective Services, a division of the Department of Social Services, received a report on Nov. 30 that a young child was experiencing pain during a visitation session with the child's biological parents.
A criminal complaint filed by two detectives accuses Jackson of inflicting "substantial pain" and bruising a child by "repeatedly striking him in the buttocks and leg area."
When Jackson was named as one of the 2018 foster parents of the year she was lauded by a representative of the social social services department who told the Gazette that Jackson had previously "taken in many children, especially children with special needs."
At the time she was honored, Jackson had multiple children in her care, including two girls, a 10-year-old and a 9-year-old, and two boys, a 12-year-old and an 18-year-old. It is unclear if those children remain with her at this time.
'Foster parent of the year' charged with abuse
NORTH TONAWANDA – One of Niagara County's 2018 "foster parents of the year" now faces allegations of child abuse.
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