A Quick History of Probation I saw a child brought in … at the sight of which men wept aloud, and I heard the story of little Mary Ellen told … that stirred the soul of a city and roused the conscience of a world that had forgotten, and as I looked, I knew I was where the first chapter of children s rights was being written -- Jacob Riis, reporter, photo-journalist I saw a child brought in … at the sight of which men wept aloud, and I heard the story of little Mary Ellen told … that stirred the soul of a city and roused the conscience of a world that had forgotten, and as I looked, I knew I was where the first chapter of children s rights was being written -- Jacob Riis, reporter, photo-journalist 1875: Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children chartered by Henry Bergh (also ASPCA founder) 1875: Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children chartered by Henry Bergh (also ASPCA founder) 1922: 300+ SPCC chapters 1922: 300+ SPCC chapters Mary Ellen was raised by her rescuer’s sister, married at 24, 2 children who were teachers, died at 92 in 1956.