Rip the abuse-enabling, racist rot out of ACS before more kids die

New York Post - May 6th, 2025
Open on New York Post

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) in New York has come under severe scrutiny following the deaths of at least seven minority children since the start of last year. Critics argue that ACS's policies, driven by a progressive ideology that prioritizes keeping families together, have led to tragic outcomes. The recent case of 4-year-old Promise Cotton, who was found trapped with her deceased brother and mother, has intensified the debate. Mayor Eric Adams defended ACS, highlighting its record of saving lives, but the agency's reluctance to remove children from dangerous situations is being questioned. Reports suggest ACS workers are pressured to keep families intact, even when removal might be necessary, leading to dire consequences for the children involved.

The controversy points to a deeper issue within ACS, where decisions are allegedly influenced by a fear of being labeled as racist for separating families, particularly in minority communities. This approach has sparked criticism from various quarters, including whistleblowers within the agency. The failure to act in clear cases of abuse or neglect is being framed as a misguided adherence to social justice ideals, which some argue puts children's lives at risk. The call for action includes demands for leadership changes within ACS and a reevaluation of its policies, with critics urging Mayor Adams to prioritize child safety over identity politics. This situation underscores the ongoing tensions between progressive policies and their real-world implications in child welfare services.

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RATING

3.4
Unfair Story
Approach with caution

The article presents a critical view of the Administration for Children's Services (ACS), focusing on alleged systemic failures and ideological biases that may have contributed to tragic outcomes. While it addresses a topic of significant public interest and has the potential to influence opinion, its effectiveness is limited by a lack of balanced reporting and verifiable evidence. The article's reliance on unnamed sources and anecdotal accounts raises questions about its accuracy and source quality, while its emotionally charged language and one-sided narrative detract from its clarity and engagement potential. To provide a more comprehensive and impactful analysis, the article would benefit from a more balanced perspective, supported by credible sources and detailed evidence. Despite these limitations, the article highlights important issues in child welfare and prompts necessary discussions about accountability and policy effectiveness within child protection services.

RATING DETAILS

4
Accuracy

The article makes several factual claims that require further verification, particularly concerning the number of child deaths and the specific circumstances surrounding each case. For example, the story asserts that seven minority children have died under ACS's watch since the start of last year, but it does not provide specific evidence or data to substantiate this claim. Additionally, the details of individual cases like those of Promise Cotton, Jahmeik Modlin, and Jalayah Eason are presented with dramatic language but lack corroborating evidence from official reports or records. The article also accuses ACS of systemic failures and ideological biases, yet these claims are not supported by direct quotes from whistleblowers or internal documents. Overall, while the article raises serious concerns, its accuracy is undermined by a lack of verifiable evidence and reliance on anecdotal reports.

3
Balance

The article displays a significant imbalance in its presentation, heavily criticizing ACS and its leadership without offering counterarguments or perspectives from the agency itself. The narrative is one-sided, focusing on alleged failures and ideological biases within ACS without acknowledging any potential successes or efforts to address the issues raised. This lack of balance is evident in the absence of quotes or statements from ACS representatives or experts who might provide a different perspective on the agency's policies and practices. The article's tone suggests a strong bias against ACS, which diminishes its credibility and leaves the reader with an incomplete understanding of the situation.

5
Clarity

The article is written in a clear and direct style, making its main arguments and criticisms easy to understand. However, the clarity is somewhat compromised by the use of emotionally charged language and a lack of structured evidence to support its claims. While the article's tone is assertive and engaging, it sometimes sacrifices factual precision for rhetorical impact. The narrative could benefit from a more structured presentation of facts and a clearer distinction between verified information and opinion to enhance its clarity and comprehensibility.

2
Source quality

The article relies on unnamed sources, such as a whistleblower and internal ACS sources, without providing sufficient attribution or evidence of their credibility. The lack of named sources or official documents significantly weakens the article's reliability. Furthermore, the article does not reference any external studies, reports, or data that could support its claims, leaving it largely based on anecdotal evidence and opinion. This reliance on unverified and potentially biased sources raises questions about the impartiality and reliability of the information presented.

3
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in several key areas, particularly regarding the sources of its information and the methodology used to arrive at its conclusions. There is no disclosure of how the information was gathered, nor is there any explanation of potential conflicts of interest or biases that may have influenced the reporting. The article's failure to clarify the basis for its claims and the absence of contextual information about ACS's policies and procedures further obscure its transparency. This lack of openness about the sources and methods used to construct the narrative limits the reader's ability to critically assess the article's validity.

Sources

  1. https://www.nyc.gov/site/acs/index.page
  2. https://www.osc.ny.gov/files/state-agencies/audits/pdf/sga-2025-22n3.pdf
  3. https://www.nyc.gov/site/acs/about/data-analysis.page
  4. https://www.aei.org/op-eds/nycs-child-protection-agency-is-coddling-troubled-parents-leaving-kids-to-die/
  5. https://www.city-journal.org/article/new-york-city-administration-for-childrens-services-safety