For Jeremiah Donier, the 14 months that his child spent in foster care resulted in a bill of nearly $5,000 and led him to file for bankruptcy, he said.
Donier was a first-time parent, living in Spokane, when the family’s pediatrician became alarmed at bruises and a cut lip on the Doniers’ baby girl. Jeremiah, who later pleaded guilty to third-degree child assault, says he had difficulty handling the stresses of new parenthood and controlling his temper. The classes and coaching required by his caseworker helped enormously. But the damage to his finances lingered, long after his daughter returned home.
Donier said he was forced to resign from his $30,000-per-year
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