whose poverty is considered de facto indication of neglect.
Colonial law officials indentured or apprenticed the children
of the indigent to "such religious families where both body
and soul may be taken good care of."'9 Nineteenth century
child welfare charitable agencies institutionalized these children
in orphanages and reformatories and "placed them out"
in foster homes in the country in order to protect children
from "the perils of want and the contamination of
example."20 Consequently, in 1900 the majority of children in
institutional and foster care were "half orphans", i.e.,
children of one living, destitute parent.