Legal Question in Family Law in New York
My nieces and nephews
I have 2 nieces and 2 nephews that has been in foster care for over 5 years. I have actively been trying to get custody of them for over 2 years. They had a foster mother that was trying to adopt all 4 of them. I complained to the agency that there is abuse in that foster home. Well recently the foster mother and family members burned the youngest of the children and kept it hidden from the agency for a couple of months. Now I am trying even harder to get custody of them and they seem to prefer for these children to stay in the system. All of them at split up now. I'm writing to find out if I could sue the agency and the city? I would just sue them for $1. The money if not the point it's what happen to my niece that matters. So would I as the parternal aunt have a case?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: My nieces and nephews
Hi, I am an adoption and family law attorney in New York City. In response to your questions, I would advise you to report the suspected abuse to the police and/or the Administration for Children's Services. ACS is required to investigate suspected abuse and charge the persons responsible with neglect or abuse if there is a basis to support the allegations. If the agency is ignoring you, that is a major problem and I would report it to the police if the children are in real danger. I can assist you or refer you to someone who can assist you with filing for custody. My practice focuses on adoptions, so I would be willing to assist you with this if you wanted to pursue adoption at some point. Please email me at the email address provided below.
Very truly yours,
Maria Bucci-Orozco, Esq.