A father hits his 9-year-old daughter in a public park. A bystander calls Child Protective Services (CPS), a division within the Department of Social Services (department), which then begins an investigation into the alleged abuse. During this investigation, the father ...

Judges in termination of parental rights cases must make sure their decisions are not clouded by considerations more appropriate for third-party child-custody disputes, such as the certainty of the youngster’s future with adoptive parents, Maryland’s top court has ruled.

The ever-changing landscape of Baltimore City’s Department of Social Services directly affects the positive work of many community partnerships such as the Family Recovery Program.

Local Departments of Social Services must be allowed to waive their obligations to provide reunification services to people who involuntarily lost their parental rights over other children, the Court of Special Appeals has held.

CINA: Evidentiary ruling: Appeal moot CSA No. 0944, September Term 2011. Unreported. Opinion by Krauser, C.J. Filed April 29, 2013. 4 pages. Appeal from Howard County Circuit Court. Dismissed.

CINA: Dismissal of petition: DSS standing to challenge CSA No. 1504, September Term, 2012. Unreported. Opinion by Opinion by Matricciani, J. Filed April 17, 2013. 8 pages. Appeal from Baltimore City Circuit Court. Affirmed.

CINA: Transfer of venue: Custody to other parent CSA No. 1484, September Term, 2012. Unreported. Opinion by Meredith, J. Filed March 26, 2013. 16 pages. Appeal from Washington County. Affirmed.

CSA No. 1503, Sept. Term 2011. On motion for reconsideration. Reported. Opinion by Eyler, D. J. Filed Sept. 5, 2012. 69 pages. Affirmed. Administrative law: OASDI: DSS’ right to foster child’s survivor benefits