Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin issued the following statement praising the decision by United States District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi in favor of the State of Rhode Island in the Cassie M. et al v. Lincoln D. Chafee et al. a case seeking institutional reform of DCYF through alleged constitutional and statutory violations of the children in the State's care brought by New York-based Children's Rights Incorporated.
"We are extremely pleased by the thoughtful and well reasoned decision issued by United States District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi this morning in entering judgment for the State of Rhode Island in the matter of Cassie M. v. Lincoln Chafee. As the State argued before the District Court and Judge Lisi found, the evidence simply did not support the serious allegations made in this case. There was no showing that the children in the care of DCYF were 'harmed or were subjected to risk of harm during DCYF care as a result of DCYF policies, or any acts or omissions based on such policies and procedures.'
"This office recognizes the vital importance of child welfare and the mission of DCYF of caring for children in foster care because of abuse and neglect. The care of these children is one of the most important responsibilities of the State.
"The legal issues and sheer magnitude of this case were tremendous given the allegations focused on children in the care of DCYF. I commend the outstanding work of the team from my office who handled this case for the State; Assistant Attorneys General Brenda Baum and Neil F.X. Kelly, as well as Special Assistant Attorneys General Ariele Yaffee and Edward Mullaney, and the entire support staff that assisted in successful presentation of this significant case to the Federal District Court. The team worked through weekends, nights, and holidays to defend the State of Rhode Island. It is a testament to the hardworking men and women of the Office of Attorney General who continually and tirelessly serve the public with excellence.
"The State expended thousands of hours and considerable resources defending itself from allegations by this out-of-state entity."