State Child Advocate: 'We Have A Long Way To Go'

Reports of abuse and neglect involving children who are already receiving services from the state are on the rise, according to an annual report released Tuesday by the state child advocate.

The report comes as Gail Garinger's office is investigating the recent death of a 2-year-old girl in an Auburn foster home, as well as the starvation and beating of a 7-year-old Hardwick boy, allegedly at the hands of his father who had recently gained custody.

Garinger, who is the state's first child advocate but is stepping down from her post this month after seven years, joined WBUR's All Things Considered to discuss the report. She says the the state has a responsibility to get a handle on abuse of children in its care.