Better Conditions Urged at Children’s Center

A grand jury said a Kern County center for abused and neglected children is crowded, depressing, and lacks the proper security and medical care, but officials have not found evidence of abuse there, according to a recent report.

Grand jury members called on the county Department of Human Services to work with other social service agencies to improve conditions at the county-run A. Miriam Jamison Children’s Center and seek funds for a new building.

Shelter officials disagreed with the findings, saying the grand jury may have compared the center with a foster home-like facility.