New York State Court Bars Child Welfare Systems From Pursuing Arrest Warrants For Runaway Foster Youth

On May 7, 2019, a New York State court barred county child welfare systems from pursuing arrest warrants for foster youth who run away from a placement. The court said there was no compelling legal reason for family courts to approve warrants for youth who have not broken any law. The decision means that county child welfare systems cannot use law enforcement to arrest foster youth to bring the youth back to group homes or to punish them for running away.

The decision was issued on May 7, 2019, in response to In re: Zavion O. & Serenity L. v . . .