Their names are Chantal or Zoe, Bastien or Marina. Time and again, children die in Germany and France as a result of abuse. Often, the families in which such tragedies occur are known to the youth welfare offices. But the social workers, who have a state mandate to protect the children entrusted to them and offer them prospects for the future, seem to be failing. What mistakes are the youth welfare offices in Germany and France making—are they even capable of fulfilling their duties?
