Total failure of the system. Over and over. Year after year.  Horrific abuse, most often adapted and learned from the older generation, creates havoc in the family and society.  If a parent is incapable of modeling positive behavior toward their children and grandchildren, due to poor education, lack of a good paying job, drugs, the next generation so often follows a downward cycle that results in events like this.    
All children are born perfect.  It's up to us to raise them with love and kind structure. On so many levels, we continue to fail.