Opinion ID: 2582638
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The State Stands In Loco Parentis to Foster Children in Its Custody

Text: ¶ 46 But the State does not limit its special relations to parolees. It is well-settled that the State stands in loco parentis or in the place of a parent to minor children in its custody. [T]he standard of care imposed upon the state in its treatment, management, and control of delinquent children committed to its custody may be likened to that of parent to child. Evangelical United Brethren Church, 67 Wash.2d at 259-60, 407 P.2d 440. See also Eldredge v. Kamp Kachess Youth Servs., Inc., 90 Wash.2d 402, 408, 583 P.2d 626 (1978) (As the court's agent, the standard of care imposed upon Kamp is that of a parent.). And see, e.g., Camp v. Gregory, 67 F.3d 1286, 1297 (7th Cir.1995); P.G. v. Dep't of Health & Human Servs., Div. of Family & Youth Servs., 4 P.3d 326, 332 (Alaska 2000); E.P. v. Riley, 604 N.W.2d 7, 12 (S.D.1999); Calabria v. State, 289 N.Y. 613, 43 N.E.2d 836 (1942). ¶ 47 Curiously, the majority characterizes the in loco parentis relationship as not well defined in our case law. Majority at 581. In fact, there is little to define. A party stands in loco parentis by acting as a temporary guardian or caretaker of a child, taking on all or some of the responsibilities of a parent. BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY 803 (8th ed.2004). See State v. Waleczek, 90 Wash.2d 746, 752-53, 585 P.2d 797 (1978) (following State ex rel. Gilroy v. Superior Court, 37 Wash.2d 926, 933, 226 P.2d 882 (1951)). The relationship thereby established is undefined only in that the duties accompanying it depend on the circumstances.