From my extensive expertise in ahem armchair amateur psychoanalysis ... I suspect a major mental disorder/abuse component to the story. Their kids ending up in

From my extensive expertise in ahem armchair amateur psychoanalysis ... I suspect a major mental disorder/abuse component to the story. Their kids ending up in foster care may be better for the kids than being raised in a DSM certifiable parenting environment. At least in foster care the expectations of care are darn low, so less chance of being left with a sense of betrayal into adulthood.