Who\'s watching the children?

Hank Investigates: Who's watching the children?

Baby Emily just 6 months old, could not have told her parents what happened that afternoon.

But what her au pair, from the Netherlands, didn't realize: Emily's dad just that day installed this camera and the tape was rolling.

When Joe Carriere and his wife reviewed their daughter's day they saw some cuddling and some playing. What came next still haunts them.

Joe Carriere, Parent
"I couldn't believe what I saw."

The au pair, who's on the computer and watching tv, ignores the baby. Emily shifts position. She rolls. And then she tumbles to the floor.

Watch again, and see a glass falls on top of her.

Joe Carriere, Parent
"My wife was completely outraged. I was outraged."

They watched the tape again and again. Unbelievably , there was more on that same tape. They saw Emily screaming, unattended, then left alone on the changing table and in obvious danger.

Joe Carriere, Parent
"The first thought that went through my mind was has this been what's happened every day?"

Our investigation found: other parents who trusted au pair agencies to provide responsible childcare say instead they experienced abuse, abandonment, theft and neglect.

Though sixteen thousand au pairs a year enter the US from other countries, no one, not even the State Department, the US agency in charge, could tell us how often things go wrong.

Jessica Vaughan, Center for Immigration Studies
"What we have now is the illusion of regulation without actual regulation and oversight."

Todd Schaeffer proved his au pair was stealing hundreds of dollars as well as house hold belongings.

When he got a new au pair, she totaled the family car

Todd Schaeffer, Parent
"I was furious with them."

Pam Theriault's family had a string of au pairs. She says two left her kids home alone and the other one was abusive.

Pam Theriault, Parent
"I was frustrated, I was mad, I was heartbroken, all of those things together."

How could it happen? Everyone remembers Matthew Eappen and his au pair Louise Woodward, found guilty of killing him.

Because of what happed to Matthew, many vowed to change the system to protect other children. Some new federal rules were created calling for background checks and better training.

But we found now eight years later enforcement is minimal, leaving parents on their own.

Joe wanted to show this tape to his au pair placement agency: they said no.

Joe Carriere, Parent
"They just seemed not to care."

Pam called federal officials:

Pam Theriault, Parent
"The state department did nothing!"

The State Department told us they get "about 50" complaints a year. For months, we've we asked to see them, we're still waiting.

But look what we did get dozens of complaints at consumer agencies across the country: kids in "jeopardy" "unsupervised", "neglected."

Joe Carriere, Parent
"I just don't believe this is right."

What happens to problem au pairs? Emily's just went back to her native country. But others rejected by one family are recycled to another. In fact, that's how the Eappens got Louise Woodward.

Todd was astonished to find his "thief" au pair was sent to a new home.

Todd Schaeffer, Parent
"They should not be putting this girl into another home, they should be putting her on a plane."

So who's watching the kids? Some families get a well trained care giver. Others get an unexpected risk.

Baby Emily is fine now, but her worried father wonders who's on the next plane.

Joe Carriere, Parent
"No one else should have to go through this."

The State department says au pairs are trained, have background checks and insists problems are rare.

We asked for an on camera interview they said no.