Grand Jury Report Censures County Shelter

The grouping of abused and neglected children together at Santa Clara County's children's shelter promotes self-destructive behavior instead of providing a safe, nurturing environment, according to a grand jury report.

The shelter, which houses emotionally disturbed children in a group setting, provides "the opportunity for the abused to become an abuser," according to the report.

The county pays more than $19,000 a month for each child to stay there -- almost 24 times the cost of foster care.

The grand jury called for a task force to research safer, less costly ways to care for these children.