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Columbia Missourian

The price of parenthood

By Erin Harmeyer
February 8, 2008 | 5:00 p.m. CST

Under-funded foster parents struggle in Missouri

It was just days after Halloween and already the front porch of Linda Wyatt’s house in Hallsville was littered with Christmas decorations. An electronic Santa Claus lying in a miniature bed snored along to favorite Christmas tunes. A large, brightly illuminated Christmas tree filled the living room where some of Wyatt’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren burst in to share stories, solicit advice or ask for Band-Aids.

It’s a chaotic household, and it shows on the faded maroon carpet, worn from the bustling activity of the 101 foster children who have called this house a home.

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