A few years ago, I read a report regarding a large prison that indicated that, at any given time, as many as 80% of their prisoners were former foster care youth. That is a sad indictment of our social systems, IMO. These folks had the misfortune of starting down a path that often leads to prison. They often were identified early in the school career as children who had problems. Their parents may have had substance abuse or mental health problems, or they may have had the misfortune of being a member of a population more likely to be investigated and found guilty of child abuse. Ultimately, the time in foster care leads to even more trauma and behavioral issues.
Since the child welfare system is rife with disparities, minorities are more likely to find themselves trapped in multiple systems with few options for getting out and/or growing up to become successful adults.