I assume you feel that US State would not do atrocity to their own kids?

Given our genocide of the First Nations People and the extra-judicial execution via drone during the Obama administration no I do not assume that the US couldn't but the fact is that they haven't at least not in the manner you are describing.

lower levels seem to act and do what they think they can get away with.

That is a function of power. Look at the #MeToo movement. Every single one of those accused did what they did because they thought they could get away with it.