Legal Question in Family Law in Maryland

Custody and Social Services

we have been having a problem with social services. they have been holding from me and they put my son back with his mother who was put in foster care a year ago. well i started checking into some things and i took my son away from his mother b/c of an abusive husband and drugs, etc. come to find out after social services did a home study on mother and claimed she was ok, they were lying. the land lord spoke with me and told me she was evicted and that there was human and dog solid waste all over the place and smeered on the walls and hardened to carpet as well as food and etc. the land lord stated that she tried to get people involved in getting those kids out and they would not and social services would some visit her in her home in there conditions, anytime i would call DSS and ask about my son they refused to give me info and would lie to court. why would they do this and what can we do about DSS? Can we sue them for withholding info and lying? there are still 2 other children living in this!!


Asked on 4/28/03, 10:25 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

G. Joseph Holthaus III Law Offices of G. Joseph Holthaus

Re: Custody and Social Services

Your question deserves action. Here are a few contacts to address the problems you raise.

STATE COUNCIL ON CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT

Carolyn Billingsley, Chair (chosen by Governor), 2005

Appointed by Governor to 3-year terms: Ellen Mugmon; Charles I. Shubin, M.D. Terms expire 2003.

Lucia F. Biers; Rev. Lisa R. Connors; Melissa M. Lane; James M. Trent. Terms expire 2004.

Bill B. Benton, D.P.A.; Linda L. Davis; Diane DePanfilis, Ph.D.; Howard Dubowitz, M.D.; Gloria Goldfaden; Leslie K. Shedlin, Esq.; Linda S. Spassil; Allen R. Walker, M.D. Terms expire 2005.

Governmental representatives appointed by Governor: Richard D. Scott, State Dept. of Education; Mary Louise Orth, Dept. of Juvenile Justice; Stephen K. Berry, Dept. of Human Resources; Deborah A. Unitus, Judiciary; Joel J. Todd, Esq., State's Attorney, Worcester County.

Designated by Senate President: Jennie M. Forehand

Designated by House Speaker: one vacancy

CHILDREN'S JUSTICE ACT COMMITTEE

Howard Davidson, Co-Chair

Leslie K. Shedlin, Esq., Co-Chair

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

Diane DePanfilis, Ph.D., Co-Chair

Gloria Goldfaden, Co-Chair

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

Ellen Mugmon, Chair

RESEARCH SUBCOMMITTEE

Howard Dubowitz, M.D., Chair

or contact any one of the following individuals:

Donna Hill Staton, Deputy Attorney General

200 St. Paul Place

Baltimore, MD 21202

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION

(C81C0016, formerly 22.03.00.16)

FY2003 appropriation: $1,277,045

FY2003 authorized positions: 16

Carolyn H. Henneman, Chief (410) 576-6380

e-mail: [email protected]

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Latanya McEachin, Chief (410) 767-7799

e-mail: [email protected]

YOU HAVE A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT THAT SHOULD BE PROSECUTED. IF YOUR COMPLAINT IS AS YOU STATE AND NONE OF THE ABOVE INDIVIDUALS ARE ABLE TO BRING CRIMINAL CHARGES TO BEAR, THEN YOU NEED TO CONTACT THE STATE ATTORNEY IN THE COUNTY WHERE THE ACTS AGAINST CHILDREN WERE PERPETRATED.

G. Joseph Holthaus

(410) 799-9002

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Answered on 4/28/03, 10:25 pm


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