What did these kids do wrong?

Another instance of the chonic abuse of authority in America

Two British teenage holidaymakers have suffered a horrific ordeal after being taken to an orphanage by New York social workers when their mother was struck down by pneumonia. Yvonne Bray said she was too ill to wave goodbye to daughters Gemma, 15 and Katie, 13 who were told by the American authorities they could not stay with their mother at the Queens Medical Centre hospital in Harlem, as they were minors.

Instead the two were taken to an orphanage and, after being searched, were questioned about whether they had been abused, if they were members of gangs or had suicidal tendencies. They were stripped and issued with a uniform of one-size plain white T-shirts and elasticated jeans before being spilt up and given a medical examination. They then posed for a mug-shot and were told they were not allowed to leave the orphanage before being shown to a glass-walled room for 12 to 15-year-old girls.

Katie said the frightening experience was "like being in a cage". She said: "It was a bit scary as the staff were constantly looking in at us. "I tried to go to sleep, but every time I opened my eyes, someone was looking right at me."

After Ms Bray - from Appledore, north Devon - was in hospital for two days, she was told she would have to remain there for a further three but was so worried about her children she discharged herself to try and get them back. The 39-year-old was forced to walkk through the streets of New York's notorious Queens district in her pyjamas before she was able to find a taxi.

"I was so cross," she said. "I didn't sign anything saying they could be examined or interrogated - they even asked them if they had been raped. "They had to shower in front of strangers, what they went through would be a breach of anyone's human rights, let alone two girls on holiday."

Ms Bray returned to the hotel and after making a number of phone calls spoke to a woman who said that she had the kids and was about half-an-hour from the hotel. "I was so relieved. We'd only been apart for a matter of days but it seemed like forever." Now Ms Bray said she will be writing to the authorities to complain and to add insult to injury she has received a letter saying she is now "under investigation". "I am so angry they have had to be put through this ordeal," she said. "And then they have the cheek to send out this letter. "It seems like a standard letter because the children have been entered into the child care system. It says I am now under investigation, they can't have even known who they were."

Report here



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