NEW YORK -- Katie's people could not keep her clean or fed or clothed or in school. They all say they love the girl but seem to have exploited her, to have passed her around like a cold and then blamed each other for her problems.

The disappearance of Katie Beers last month and her rescue last week from her kidnapper's dungeon has focused the media's gaze on the cute 10-year-old's relatives and friends.

The view is not pleasant: a mother who effectively gave Katie up when she was 2 months old; a godmother who kept her out at all hours running errands; two men who allegedly molested her.

Although they seem to have failed Katie no more than they have failed themselves, Katie's people ...