Sumner County CASA was assigned to work with a teenage girl who was a part of a family system that came to be involved with DCS and the court because of extensive sexual abuse, perpetrated by several adults on her and others within their family unit, as well as possible abuse between children as well. At the outset of the case, the girl was very withdrawn, denying that anything had happened and feeling upset about being moved into foster care. In her initial forensic interview, she did not disclose anything and was in denial about what had happened, though there was ample evidence to the contrary through photographs, email records and other disclosures. Through extensive therapy, an amazingly stable and supportive foster family, and through her hard trauma work, she was able to later disclose what she had experienced and to come through it in a positive way. The adults have since been charged criminally for their actions and her parents eventually surrendered their parental rights.
During the time of the abuse, she was primarily homeschooled. In her foster home, she enrolled in high school for the first time. She earned good grades, participated in the school chorus, went to prom and got a part-time job. She was able to go to the beach for her first vacation ever with her foster family and enjoyed typical things that teen girls are interested in, like having her nails done, spending too much money on Starbucks, and wanting the latest shoes. She was able to grow a strong bond with her foster mother and plans are in place for adoption in the coming months. She plans to attend college and wants to be a teacher.