Ellis v. Arkansas Department of Human Services

After C.E. was born, the circuit court ordered C.E. to be removed from his mother and placed in the custody of the Arkansas Department of Human Services (ADHS). The court subsequently entered an adjudication order finding C.E. dependent-neglected. The court ordered a home study of C.E.’s paternal uncle and his wife (together, the Ellises). C.E.’s foster parents (together, the Coles) sought to intervene in the dependency-neglect case, stating that they wanted to adopt C.E. C.E.’s father urged the circuit court to consider and approve the home study and place C.E. with the Ellises. The circuit court ordered that C.E. was to remain in his foster home with the Coles and changed the permanency goal to adoption. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that, upon receipt of the satisfactory home study, the circuit court erred by failing to conduct the mandatory review hearing and apply the statutory preference for relative placement to the Ellises. Remanded. View "Ellis v. Arkansas Department of Human Services" on Justia Law