Foster Agency Appeals Revocation Following Girl’s Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A foster care placement agency has appealed Minnesota's decision to revoke its license after a 6-year-old girl died in one of its homes last year.

Family Alternatives executive director Joan Riebel said Monday her agency is being made a scapegoat for the death of Kendrea Johnson. The girl was found hanging from a bunk bed in a Brooklyn Park foster home in December. Police have said her death was either an accident or suicide.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services took the unprecedented action against Family Alternatives after finding the agency failed to investigate numerous licensing violations, including ones at the home where Kendrea lived.

Reports say that now that the agency has appealed, Family Alternatives, a Minneapolis nonprofit, can continue to operate for at least 90 days.

The agency oversees foster children in 69 homes.