Ward of the State

A Memoir of Foster Care

By: Karlos Dillard

Narrated by: Karlos Dillard

Ward of the State: A Memoir of Foster Care tells what happened to a little Black boy from the inner city of Detroit. This is the story of Karlos Dillard, who was severely neglected by his mother, who often left him and his siblings at home alone for weeks to fend for themselves. Enduring severe neglect and abuse, the boy was removed by the State of Michigan and put into foster care. Karlos was removed from his mother's care just to end up in foster homes that treated him worse.

The book is an emotional roller coaster. Every time Karlos describes the pain he is feeling, you will feel the same pain, whether it be hunger, anger, or being sexually violated. Karlos' use of words makes sure that you aren't just hearing the book; you are actually engaged. What is most enticing are the small victories experienced in the story, because they give you a break from the horrors of some of the foster homes. Karlos was told he was not loved, he was not wanted, and he was nothing but a ward of the state. Karlos had nothing left to look forward to, and that almost ended his life, but his hope to find a family that loved him kept him alive.

©2020 Karlos Dillard (P)2021 Karlos Dillard

Wow

This story made me so angry and anxious for kids in foster care. As a former foster to adopt I cried knowing this could’ve been my story, I also felt and respected the authors since of accomplishment at the end. I might’ve chosen a different narrator but overall it was a good read

A difficult and necessary read.

Karlos does an amazing job retelling his experiences in foster care. I recommend readers go slow and process, but DO read it.

Our children are abused by a broken system

After listening to this book I’m so broken down with emotions. I cried multiple times and at times my heart felt like it was coming out of my chest over the trauma and the turn a blind eye to what is truly happening with foster care and facilities that house children. When do we start holding people and our government accountable to protect our children! This is a mountain and not a little bump in the road kinda thing, this is everywhere and no one is held to a standard before or after. We are destroying every generation going through the system. This book will have you wondering the why, what and when we will get to right to protect our children.

Foster care voice that deserves to be heard

Karlos does a phenomenal job. His story isn’t rare and foster voices are commonly dismissed. I couldn’t stop listening. If you are thinking about fostering, adopting, or you were in the system yourself, listen to this book.

I am angry

I am so angry about what happened to you. It is an awful place we live in. I’m so glad you rose above it all and is continuing to soar. Be blessed. It is a very good read. I enjoyed it tremendously.

Heart Breaking, but important to know.

Karlos' story is so heartbreaking, but it's such an important read. we need know where the system is broken and give it the major overhaul Karlos deserved, and all the kids in foster care current and future that kids deserve too.

Heartbreaking and Eye Opening

This story made me cry many times. it opened my eyes to the horrendous conditions some foster youth endure. This is a must listen/read. The Narration by the Author is excellent.

Phenomenal read for any adoptive parent.

The book gave such a great insight to the need of adoptive parent training, the evil in foster care, and the overhaul that is needed to this system.

A Raw Look into the Abuse of Foster Care

Karlos Dillard faced unthinkable and harrowing experiences in his formative years at a time when he had little agency over his own body or wellbeing. This dangerous situation became exponetially worse as he was routinely put into the care of foster families that viewed him as a commodity and not a vulnerable child with intrinsic value.

He allows the reader to step into the shoes of a child doing their best to survive in a series of impossible situations. There are no heart-warming stories of triumph over adversity. It is written as if we are there with him, watching the horrors inflicted on him with no copacity to step in and help. In his memoirs, we are as powerless as he was. The reader witnesses everything from the most violent terror, to the small injustices where the children are given the clear message that they do not belong there. That they have no value outside of the paycheck the foster family receives.

The American Foster Care System and Adoption Industry needs radical reform, and that reform must be guided by voices like Dillard- especially in a time where adoption is used as a tool to strip Americans of their reproductive rights and privacy to make medical decisions for themselves. As cost of living, community welfare, mental and medical health accessibility exponentially worsens more children will be placed into foster care where the worst nightmares can be inflicted on children who cannot advocate for themselves.

I know how you feel

I went through similar things while in the system. I was never adopted. some empty promises but I am so happy you were and more so that you tell your story. How Brave!!! I want to tell mine too but I've always been scared and I don't know how. You are truly an inspiration.