It doesn't matter how badly abused a child may be, they always prefer to be with their parents. Its hard to say, however, if the trauma of placing a child in foster care is due to the quality of foster care or the trauma of separation or the trauma of prior abuse. Its all takes its toll and that is why separating a child from a parent is usually a last resort.

The article cited by Q was particulary damning but also a bit arrogant if not deceitful. I especially question that, "...they were separated long enough to traumatize some children for life, particularly the youngest, who perceive time as passing far more slowly than do adults."

What??? Young children have absolutely no concept of time, let alone if it goes fast or slow. It isn't until about grade 2 that they begin to estimate the passage of time with any accuracy at all.

That article was sensationalism at its best.