Opinion ID: 2011438
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: events since the july 26, 1994 order

Text: On July 30, 1994, in conformity with the trial judge's order, S.C.M. was returned to the physical custody of her mother. In the days that followed, the GAL initiated a flurry of activity both in the Superior Court and in this court. On or about August 1, 1994, she moved the trial court to stay execution of the July 26 order. She also filed a motion seeking recusal of the trial judge, allegedly for improper ex parte communications. [4] On or about the same date, the GAL filed a notice of appeal, and moved this court for a stay of the order, for summary reversal, for a writ of mandamus, and for an expedited hearing. The trial judge, apparently believing herself to be without authority to act on the GAL's motions because an appeal was pending, did not decide the motion to recuse, nor did she stay her order. A motions division of this court granted the GAL's request for an expedited hearing, but denied all other relief. It appears from various filings of the parties and from the representations of counsel that a review of S.C.M.'s placement was held on October 27, 1994. According to a representation in the District's brief in this court on the merits, filed on November 2, 1994, the [trial] court continued the present status [at the October 27 hearing] even though reunification has been less than satisfactory to date. [5] The District's brief further stated: The [trial] court noted that it has limited jurisdiction because of the pending appeal, and asked the Corporation Counsel to move this [c]ourt to grant a limited remand to enable the Family Division more flexibility to act at the next hearing which is scheduled for December 6, 1994. The District represented that it would shortly file such a motion, but in fact failed to do so until December 13, 1994, a week after the review. Because oral argument in this court had been scheduled for December 19, 1994, we carried the motion with the case, and we now dispose of it in this opinion.