One has now been placed in another home, and the other is undergoing a medical evaluation and awaiting placement.

Since 1985 there has been a sharp jump in abandoned, neglected or abused children awaiting foster placement.

She said youngsters under 16 stay at the detention center while they await sentencing or placement from a court.

It has also opened a lower-priced unit for patients awaiting placement in a nursing home.

Two others have been accepted and are awaiting placement.

Homeless families sometimes live for days in the city offices as they await placement in the shelter system.

"We're awaiting residential placement, but the state takes forever," said one woman.

About 200 children in the city are awaiting placement by the state, and 31 of them have been waiting more than four years.

Since then, some have moved to private nursing homes, others have ended up in other city long-term care facilities and others still await placement.

After 15 days the girl returned to Hegeman, where she still awaits placement.