SACRAMENTO, Calif. — ABC10 is being recognized with a national investigative award by Investigative Reporters and Editors for investigative reporter Andie Judson's reporting on California's conservatorship system.
"The Price of Care: Taken by the State" is a two-year investigation digging into the legally complex legal tool giving civil rights and liberties of someone unable to care for themselves to another person or entity. In Season Two, Judson and the ABC10 Originals team investigated the state agency responsible for the rights and needs of all Californians with disabilities, including separating families by conserving people with disabilities and cutting all contact and communication with their loved ones.
"Our goal with the Price of Care is to seek the truth and uncover systemic and institutional failures in order to fix them," said Director of Special of Projects and Engagement, Gonzalo Magaña.
In a series of five reports, ABC10 Sacramento focused on abuses and neglect of disabled persons by the California state bureaucracy controlling their lives through conservatorships. Through the stories of victims, reporter Andie Judson detailed a system that ignored their interests and isolated them from their families. The reports were part of a two-year investigation by ABC10 widely credited with ensuing reform legislation.
"IRE is the leader in investigative Journalism, we are honored that our investigation is being recognized among the top investigations in the country," said Judson.
Not only is her award-winning reporting shining a light on the abuse some of the most vulnerable Californians are facing, but it's also leading to legislative changes.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill limiting conservatorships that grant legal guardianship over individuals after the story aired. The new law will give potential conservatees preference for selecting a conservator and make it easier to end probate conservatorship.
The Video Longform award honors and is shared with the ABC10 Originals team of journalists who worked tirelessly on this investigation: Director of Special Projects and Engagement Gonzalo Magaña, Photojournalists Rory Ward and Tyler Horst, Producers Sabrina Sanchez and Mike Bunnell, and Photographer Xavier Uriarte. Without their drive and passion, this reporting would not have been possible.
Start Watching: The Price of Care: Taken by the State | Season 2, Ep. 1 of an ABC10 Originals five-part docuseries
