Crime & Safety
Grace Packer's Mother, Charged With Murder, Had 30 Previous Foster Children
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is opening its own investigation into the tragic death of 14-year-old Grace Packer.
The state of Pennsylvania has opened an investigation into the death of 14-year-old Grace Packer, whose mother took care of 30 foster children over a 10 year period, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services confirmed Friday.
The department's Office of Children, Youth and Families said that Sara Packer, 41, has not been allowed to serve as a foster parent since 2010. Packer and her boyfriend, 44-year-old Jacob Sullivan, have been charged with the kidnapping, rape, torture, and murder of Grace.
The news comes the day after an AP report revealed that Grace endured a lifetime of abuse leading up to her death.While it is not yet known why Sara Packer had her foster license taken away, Grace's adoptive father, David Packer, was sent to prison for sexually abusing Grace. He has since been classified as a sexually violent predator, the Megan's Law Database states.
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Grace's birth parents reportedly lost custody of Grace when she was 3 because other adults were sexually abusing her.
According to the Morning Call, a Pennsylvania law entitled Act 33 mandates that the state conduct an investigation when a child 21 and under dies while in foster care or a state program. Child protective services in multiple counties could become involved.
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Grace went missing last July. Authorities said that Sara Packer first came under suspicion when she and Sullivan moved from Abington to Richland in Bucks County without telling police. She also failed to give police a picture of Grace, which they had requested.
Grace's dismembered body was found in the woods in Luzerne County on Oct. 31. She could not be identified until December.
A preliminary hearing for Sara Packer and Sullivan is scheduled for Jan 20.
A memorial service in Grace's honor is planned for Monday, January 16, at 1:30 p.m. in the New Life Church in Glenside. The church is located on 467 N. Easton Road.
To learn more about the memorial fund set up in her name, see the GoFundMe page here.
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