Court: Agency erred when 4 kids ordered into welfare system

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A state appeals court has unanimously ruled that the Indiana Department of Child Services didn’t have the evidence it needed when four children were ordered into the child welfare system.

The Indianapolis Star reports judges on the Indiana Court of Appeals on Monday reversed the juvenile court’s decision regarding the four children. The appeals court determined the Department of Child Services failed to prove the children were seriously endangered, that the parents weren’t able or willing to care for them, and that court intervention was necessary.

According to court records, the department had filed the Child In Need of Services petitions in December 2014 after the youngest child tested positive for marijuana at birth.

Department spokesman James Wide said the agency had gotten the appellate ruling and would meet with legal counsel regarding the case.