By The Associated Press
South Carolina’s social services agency has settled allegations that it failed to protect a 6-year-old girl from a teenage foster child with known behavioral problems who was HIV-positive and admitted to sexually assaulting the girl.
The State newspaper reports that court records show the Department of Social Services and private foster parent recruiter S.C. Mentor Inc. agreed this week to pay $515,000 to settle a lawsuit.
Both the company and DSS deny any fault in the case.
The girl’s mother sued DSS last year, saying the agency was negligent in not making sure the boy was properly monitored or got appropriate counseling and therapy.
According to the lawsuit, the boy ultimately admitted that he had assaulted the girl and was charged with criminal sexual conduct.