Judge dismisses lawsuit on foster care system

Associated Press

April 30, 2009 / turnto10.com

PROVIDENCE—A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit alleging major abuses in Rhode Island’s foster care system.

The state’s child advocate, Jametta Alston, sued in 2007 on behalf of the roughly 3,000 children in state custody.

The lawsuit sought an overhaul in Rhode Island’s foster care system and alleged that foster children had been abused, neglected and shuttled from home to home with little regard to their well-being.

But Senior U.S. District Judge Ronald Lagueux said in an opinion Wednesday that Alston didn’t have legal authority to pursue the lawsuit.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Don Carcieri, who was among those sued, said he was pleased with the judge’s decision.

Alston said Thursday she would appeal.