In June 2024, my then 9-year-old daughter disclosed that she had been subjected to serious and disturbing abuse while in kinship care arranged through Luzerne County Children & Youth Services. She reported that abuse occurred over an extended period while she was placed in the care of individuals connected to her family network, including her maternal grandmother’s boyfriend, James Martian O’Kane of Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, and another adult, Ronald Keefe of Plymouth Township, Pennsylvania. She further reported that the abuse included intimidation and threats meant to prevent her from speaking out.

After enduring years of fear and silence, my daughter courageously disclosed what she had experienced and sought protection and justice.

According to investigative findings provided to law enforcement, the Pennsylvania State Police have indicated that her disclosures were found to be credible and consistent with sexual assault allegations. Despite this, the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office has, to date, declined to file criminal charges.

This outcome raises serious concerns about how child sexual abuse allegations are evaluated and pursued within the county’s child protection and justice systems. It also raises broader questions about whether current processes are sufficiently safeguarding vulnerable children in kinship care placements.

This case is not being raised in isolation. It reflects growing public concern about how child abuse allegations are handled, investigated, and acted upon in Luzerne County. Families deserve transparency, accountability, and a system that responds decisively when children come forward with allegations of abuse.

We are calling for:

A formal review of the decision not to pursue charges in this case.
A full and independent examination of how kinship care placements are vetted and monitored in Luzerne County.
A transparent assessment of how child sexual abuse allegations are investigated and prosecuted.
Systemic reforms to ensure child safety is prioritized and protected without delay or bias.

Our request is straightforward: children who come forward with allegations of abuse must be heard, protected, and taken seriously through a fair and thorough legal process.

We are asking the public to stand with us in demanding accountability, transparency, and meaningful reform to ensure that no child is left unprotected and no allegation is ignored.

Sign this petition to support justice for child victims and to strengthen protections for vulnerable children in Luzerne County.