The little boy didn’t look good: gaunt features, discolored bruises on his face. He hadn’t been to preschool for many days and was already “delayed” in his learning. His stepmom and dad, who had been reported to the Missouri child welfare hotline for possible abuse and neglect, were in charge of his care. These factors, considered alone, might have led the Children’s Division investigator to recommend that 4-year-old Lucas Barnes Webb be removed from the home and placed in state custody. But since a change in state law in 2004, the investigator had factors to consider on the other side as well: Although Lucas had recently told an adult that his stepmom kicked him in the stomach, he didn’t tell the investigator he was being abused. He and his brother often played rough; the bruises could be a result of that. Police weren’t going to pursue charges. And the house had plenty of food. READ MORE HERE