Mississippi Youth Court accused of keeping children from parents for more than year
A federal lawsuit filed Friday accuses the city of Pearl of violating the U.S. Constitution, alleging that the Pearl Youth Court wrongfully removing children from their parents and kept them away for more than year.
In October, then-Pearl Municipal and Youth Court Judge John Shirley resigned, and the Pearl Youth Court was permanently closed after Shirley was accused of prohibiting a mother from having contact with her 4-month-old child for 14 months until she paid court-imposed fees.
Removal of children from parents who have been their primary caregivers is a severe threat to their development, the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court says. It disrupts and grossly endangers what children most need, that is, the continuity of affectionate care from those to whom they are attached through bonds of love.
The lawsuit, filed by five parents and seven children, accuses Pearl Youth Court of violating the due process rights guaranteed by the 5th and 14th Amendments.
Read more: https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2018/05/11/mississippi-youth-court-accused-keeping-children-parents-more-than-year/593362002/