The Preventionist

What’s the harm of “better safe than sorry” in cases where abuse is ambiguous? One mother’s story is our answer to that question.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.To find out about new shows from Serial Productions, and get a look behind the scenes, sign up for our newsletter at nytimes.com/serialnewsletter.Have a story pitch, a tip, or feedback on our shows? Email us at serialshows@nytimes.com 

Explore the controversial field of child abuse pediatrics through the lens of Dr. Deborah Asernio Jensen's career. Delve into community outrage and legal battles tied to her diagnoses. The episode highlights the delicate balance between medical findings and family welfare, sparking debates over child removal practices. Hear firsthand accounts of families affected by Jensen's determinations and the evolving science of abuse diagnosis. This gripping discussion unveils the complexities and high stakes in child protection and the pressures faced by those in the field.

Mark Pinsley, the elected controller of Lehigh County, dives into a shocking investigation that reveals systemic failures in child welfare and medical practices. He shares how a TikTok led to discovering families wrongly accused of abuse, leading to misdiagnoses and traumatic outcomes. Mark discusses the influence of child abuse pediatricians and highlights alarming data on Munchausen diagnoses. The emotional toll on families is palpable as they recount their experiences at a commissioners' meeting, demanding accountability and reform.

In the summer of 2023, reporter Dyan Neary received a tip about a problematic doctor in Pennsylvania. Families were claiming that when they sought medical care for their children, this pediatrician falsely accused them of abuse, and their children were taken away from them. The Preventionist traces this doctor’s decades-long career across multiple states, and explores the rise of a new and powerful kind of specialist, the “child abuse pediatrician” — whose decisions can be incredibly difficult to challenge.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.To find out about new shows from Serial Productions, and get a look behind the scenes, sign up for our newsletter at nytimes.com/serialnewsletter.Have a story pitch, a tip, or feedback on our shows? Email us at serialshows@nytimes.com