Reports have revealed that a national children's advocacy group has slapped a federal class action lawsuit against Massachusetts, which alleges that thousands of children under state care end up enduring abuse and neglect.

Children's Rights, the New York based group, shared that it had filed the suit in the U. S. District Court in Massachusetts on Thursday, and it is now looking for some changes on the behalf of nearly 8,500 children who are currently under foster care across the state.

As many as 6 child plaintiffs were named by the lawsuit, who were all identified only by their first name and last initial. Advocates have shared that these children have been "badly harmed" in foster care.

The children's advocacy group is being represented by the Boston law firm of Nutter McClennen & Fish.

It has been mentioned in the lawsuit that the state Department of Children and Families breached the constitutional rights of the children by placing them under situations which were both dangerous and unstable.

"Kids move from home to home to home with incredible frequency. Once kids are in foster care they are not making it back home or into other permanent families with any kind of timeliness", said Sara Bartosz, Senior Staff Attorney for Children's Rights.

The department, however, has been quick to defend itself and is determined to fight to protect its reputation.