FOSTER CHILD URGES RUNAWAY PROBE.

Byline: Troy Anderson Staff Writer

A 16-year-old foster child from Palmdale asked Los Angeles County supervisors on Tuesday to investigate why hundreds of children are missing from the nation's largest child-protective system.

Krystina Kessler, who ran away from a foster home, said many children are fleeing foster homes because the homes are abusive.

``You are placing kids with no juvenile records with kids who have records or are off the streets from prostitution,'' Kessler said.

``(The Department of Children and Family Services) has placed me with perverts, child molesters, people who think it's OK to lock kids out, lock up the food, refuse to take me to the doctor and a foster parent who barely spoke the same language,'' she said.

A DCFS spokesman said Tuesday he could not comment on Kessler's allegations.

On any given day, 500 to 700 children are listed as having run away from foster care in Los Angeles County.

In a recent report to the supervisors on the issue of runaways, DCFS chief David Sanders wrote, ``Regardless of individual history, this is a significant problem that places the youth in jeopardy of serious physical or sexual abuse, exposure to substance abuse and exploitation.''

Tony Bell, a spokesman for supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, said he intends to call DCFS today to find out what the agency is doing to locate and prevent foster children from running away.

``When a youth in the system runs, tragedy can ensue,'' Bell said. ``We want to ensure the safety of the children and follow up with access to a safe and quality home. So this is something of great concern.''

Kessler, who said she aspires to be director of DCFS, also asked the supervisors to help her get a new social worker outside of the Antelope Valley. Antonovich directed his children's deputy to help her.

Troy Anderson, [phone]

troy.anderson(at)dailynews.com