Opinion ID: 2382556
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Michael's removal and placement in foster care

Text: Michael was born in August 2006. On October 17 of that year, the State of Alaska, Office of Children's Services (OCS) took temporary custody of Michael after receiving a report that Barbara was using crack cocaine, and her mother, Jane, was using crack cocaine with Michael in the room. The investigating social worker visited the home in which Michael, Barbara, and her mother were living and witnessed Leo being removed from the home by officers who had served him a temporary protective order that Barbara had obtained from the court. Barbara verified to the social worker that Leo hit her and threatened her. Although Barbara and Jane initially denied drug use to the social worker when they were interviewed together, Jane admitted separately that she had recently used cocaine, although not around her children or in the home. Prior to this cocaine use, Jane had been sober for ten years, and she attributed her relapse to her fear for her daughter's safety because of Leo. Both Barbara and Jane submitted to drug tests and tested positive for methadone. Based on the positive drug tests, Jane's recent relapse into cocaine use, ongoing domestic violence, and concern about Michael's safety, the social worker assumed custody of Michael and placed him temporarily into foster care. On October 24, 2006, the superior court issued a temporary custody order pending an adjudication hearing committing Michael to the custody of OCS and requiring the development of a case plan for Barbara and Leo.