ATLANTA, Ga. (WALB) - A bipartisan investigation led by Jon Ossoff revealed Thursday, April 2, that children across the nation are being locked up not for crimes, but because there is nowhere else for them to go.

The report finds that children, including those with special needs, have been held in juvenile detention facilities simply due to a shortage of foster care placements.

“It is unacceptable that children are being locked up instead of being placed in a home with caregivers that can provide a stable environment. The findings of our bipartisan investigation should concern us all, and I will continue working in the Senate to expose the mistreatment of children.”

The findings are part of a broader bipartisan effort led by Jon Ossoff and Jen Kiggans. Last month, the two lawmakers released an earlier report showing children with special needs are being detained instead of receiving the mental health care they need in their communities.

Key Findings

The investigation highlights several troubling trends:

• At least seven states are detaining children due to foster care shortages.
• Some children are being held without any charges because no foster homes are available.
• In one case, a severely autistic child was detained and later left without placement forced to sleep in a state office after release.

Lawmakers say the findings point to significant gaps in the foster care system and underscore the urgent need for reform to ensure vulnerable children are placed in safe, stable environments—not detention centers.

For more details, read Sen. Ossoff’s full report here:

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