Mental Health Experts: Ripping A Child From Families Can Cause Long-Term Trauma

CHARLOTTE, NC.– New information about the five migrant children who were brought to South Carolina. WCCB Charlotte has learned they are expected to be in foster care for more than a month. Experts say young children being separated from their parents is traumatic and can affect a child’s mental health.

The director of Lutheran Services Carolinas tells WCCB the children don’t understand what’s happening to them or why they’ve been taken from their parents. It’s the type of trauma experts say can last a lifetime.

Kelly Carter is an experienced social worker. She says ripping the children away from their source of comfort and protection is bad enough, and the longer they are kept apart from loved ones, the more damage is done.

“You’re really going to create so many anxiety issues,  attachment disorders. Things that will be present for a lifetime and will effect generations beyond just now,” says Carter.

As for the five migrant children in South Carolina, Lutheran Services Carolinas tells WCCB:

“We are awaiting direction from the office of refugee resettlement on how to proceed with the reunification of detained parents and children.”

On Wednesday, President Trump signed an executive order stopping the family separations. The administration hasn’t publicly put out a plan for reuniting families. Thousands of children are still waiting.