New York, NY —

New Yorkers have been shocked and horrified by the recent news reports of children who died after allegedly being brutally abused. But in East Harlem, a community group says the intense media coverage has made some parents fearful that their families could get broken up. WNYC’s Cindy Rodriguez reports.

REPORTER: The Child Welfare Organizing Project is based out of the ground floor of a housing project on 110th Street. The group tries to help families maneuver their way through the complicated and vast child welfare system by going out into the community and informing parents of their rights. Most who work there have had dealings with child protective investigators. Parent Organizer Bernadette Blount says her four children were removed from her home six years ago after she was reported for neglect. It took her two years to get them back. She sits in a room that’s used once a week for a parent support group:

BLOUNT: We’re here to provide some type of hope that there are parents that have been through the same thing and it’s been a fight. Who says you’re going to get your children back tomorrow but if you keep fighting. If you keep enduring, eventually you’ll get your children back.

REPORTER: The non-profit serves a community that has the unfortunate distinction of being ranked number one amongst neighborhoods with the highest number of kids in foster care. During the last fiscal year 241 children were removed from their homes in East Harlem. Caseworkers from the Administration for Children’s Services are already feared by the community and Blount says the intense coverage of the recent children that have died has parents worried neighbors will be too eager to call in reports:

BLOUNT: Parents keeping to themselves, you can’t play too loud with your children. Parents they are scared to have their children running around through the house because if the child falls and they have to take the child to the hospital it will be a big thing.

REPORTER: The Administration for Children’s Services has said spikes in reporting are common after a high profile child death. More than 72-hundred complaints alleging abuse and neglect were received last month that’s more than a 60 percent increase over the same period last year. Most of the reports came from people like teachers and doctors who are mandated by law to call the state’s central registry when they suspect a child is being harmed. During the month of January 441 children were also placed into foster care. That’s nearly double what it was during the same period last year. Blount says she tells parents to have the number of a legal agency handy:

BLOUNT:Start learning your rights. It’s best to know and to be prepared before you hear that knock at the door certain documents need to be in place so just in case you get that knock at the door. We are just telling parents to be vigilant now because every little thing could result in a phone call.

REPORTER: Across the city New Yorkers have been stunned by the death’s of children like 7 year old Nixzmary Brown whose parents are now facing murder charges. In East Harlem, the reaction is no different. Outside a public school near 103rd street. Parents gather to pick up their children. Elizabeth Nieves says she’s lived in the neighborhood her whole life. When asked if she would report someone she suspected of harming their children, she is adamant with her answer:

NIEVES: Without a doubt…because I don’t believe in standing back because of what I can lose but I am more concerned about what we can gain.

REPORTER: For a woman who called herself Ms. Garris, calling into report suspected abuse is not new. She reported a neighbor once after she says the mother refused to stop hitting her kids.

GARRIS: If I see you doing something to your child that’s not right. Yes I will. I will intervene but then if that doesn’t work (makes phone ringing sound)…because c’mon he’s a child.

REPORTER: The Administration for Children’s Services has been encouraging people to call in if they suspect abuse. They say some of the children who have died recently could have been saved if a neighbor or relative had intervened. ACS says even if you’re not sure, call and caseworkers will be able to sort out what’s happening.

REPORTER: But for some parents at the Child Welfare Organizing Project, the prospect of having a caseworker inside their home is terrifying. Blount says ACS is seen only as the agency that is there to remove children and that fear has only been heightened:

BLOUNT: It’s not a vendetta of everybody’s coming to get you but they are on their P’s and Q’s now so they are a little nervous but at the same time don’t tear up people’s lives because you’re nervous you know so…

REPORTER: Blount and another colleague say the experience of having a caseworker investigate you is humiliating. They describe being fearful now of loud knocks at the door and say having someone look through your refrigerator and your cabinets to make sure you have enough food is degrading. Both are also convinced that if they lived in a different neighborhood and had more resources they would be treated differently. Blount says all parents want is respect:

BLOUNT: Have respect for me to know I know something about my family.

REPORTER: And empathy.

BLOUNT: It’s about what if it was me on the other side how would I wanted to be treated. How would I want to be talked to. REPORTER: Some child welfare experts call caseworkers first responders for children and compare them to police and firefighters. They say a report is only wrong if it’s done maliciously otherwise the public should not be afraid to call the proper authorities because abuse and neglect can have a devastating impact on children.

REPORTER: The Administration for Children’s Services has said the increase in reports and the heightened awareness is a positive thing. The agency says each case is handled individually and its trying to make decisions that will keep children safe. For WNYC, I’m Cindy Rodriguez