Nicholson v. Williams

203 F.Supp.2d 153

Sharwline NICHOLSON, individually and on behalf of her infant children, and on behalf of all others similarly situated, and J.A. and G.A., infants on behalf of all others similarly situated, Plaintiffs v. Nat WILLIAMS, et al. Defendants.

Ekaete Udoh, individually and on behalf of her infant children, and J.A. and G.A., infants on behalf of all others similarly situated, Plaintiffs v. Nicholas Scoppetta, et al. Defendants.

Sharlene Tillett, individually and on behalf of her infant children, and J.A. and G.A., infants on behalf of all others similarly situated, Plaintiffs, v. Nicholas Scoppetta, et al. Defendants.

Nos. 00-CV-2229, 00-CV-5155, 00-CV-6885.

United States District Court, E.D. New York.

March 18, 2002.

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Lansner & Kubitschek, New York, By David Lansner, Esq., Carolyn Kubitschek, Esq., Joanne Sirotkin, Esq., Sanctuary for Families, Center For Battered Women's Legal Services, New York, By Jill Zuccardy, Esq., for Plaintiffs Subclass A.

Legal Aid Juvenile Rights Division, By Monica Drinane, Esq., Leslie Abbey, Esq., Barrie Goldstein, Esq., Kay G. McNally, Esq., Judith Waksberg, Esq., Henry Weintraub, Esq., Lawyers for Children, New York, By Karen Freedman, Esq., Karen Walker Bryce, Esq., Betsy Kramer, Esq., for Plaintiffs Subclass B.

Martha Olson, Esq., Citizens' Committee for Children, Riverdale, for Next Friend of Children in Subclass B.

New York City Law Department, Office of the Corporation Counsel, Brooklyn, By Michael D. Hess, Esq., Jonathan Pines, Esq., Martha Calhoun, Esq., Carolyn Wolpert, Esq, Daniel A. Shacknai, Esq., Administration for Children's Services Deputy General Counsel, New York, for Defendant City of New York and Administration for Children's Services.

NYS Attorney General, New York, By William H. Bristow III, Esq., Robert

Kraft, Esq., for Defendant State of New York and Governor George E. Pataki.

Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky & Popeo, P.C., Washington, D.C., By Greg E. Haber, Esq., Fernando R. Laguarda, Esq., Noam B. Fischman, Esq., for Amici National Network to End Domestic Violence and National Network to End Domestic Violence Fund.

Law Offices of Joanne C. Fray, Lexington, MA, By Joanne C. Fray, Esq., Helene Sullas Huggins, Esq., for Amicus National Coalition for Child Protection Reform.

Missouri Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Jefferson City, MO, By Nina Balsam, Esq., for Amicus Missouri Coalition Against Domestic Violence Against Women.

Davis Polk & Wardwell, New York, By Frank S. Moseley, Esq., Zachary S. McGee, Esq., Joan Loughane, Esq., Kelli J. Stenstrom, Esq., Of Counsel, New York County Lawyer's Association, New York, By Craig A. Landy, Esq., Norman L. Reimer, Esq., for Amicus New York County Lawyers' Association.

Ohio Domestic Violence Network, Columbus, OH, By Alexandria M. Ruden, Esq., for Amicus Ohio Domestic Violence Network.

Supplemental Memorandum, Findings of Fact and Law, and Order

Table of Contents

  I. Introduction ............................................................. 163
 II. Procedural History ....................................................... 164
III. Facts .................................................................... 165
     A. Current Institutional Framework ....................................... 165
        1.  Reports to the State Central Register .............................. 166
        2.  Child Protective Proceedings ....................................... 167
     B. Plaintiff Families .................................................... 168
        1.  Nicholson .......................................................... 168
            a. Background ...................................................... 168
            b. Domestic Violence Against Ms. Nicholson ......................... 169
            c. Removal ......................................................... 169
            d. Court Proceedings ............................................... 170
            e. Subsequent Case History ......................................... 172
        2.  Rodriguez .......................................................... 173
            a. Background ...................................................... 173
            b. Domestic Violence Against Ms. Rodriguez ......................... 173
            c. Intervention by ACS and Removal ................................. 173
            d. Court Proceedings and Further Removal ........................... 175
            e. Subsequent Case History ......................................... 176
        3.  Udoh ............................................................... 176
            a. Background ...................................................... 176
            b. Domestic Abuse Against Ms. Udoh ................................. 177
            c. Abuse Triggering Removal ........................................ 178
            d. Removal ......................................................... 178
            e. Court Proceedings ............................................... 179
            f. Subsequent Case History ......................................... 180
        4.  Tillett ............................................................ 180
            a. Background ...................................................... 180
            b. Domestic Violence Against Ms. Tillett ........................... 180
            c. Removal ......................................................... 180
            d. Court Proceedings ............................................... 181

        5.  Garcia ............................................................. 182
            a. Background ...................................................... 182
            b. Domestic Violence Against Ms. Garcia ............................ 182
            c. Intervention by ACS ............................................. 183
            d. Removal ......................................................... 184
            e. Court Proceedings ............................................... 185
            f. Subsequent History .............................................. 185
        6.  Norris ............................................................. 185
            a. Background ...................................................... 185
            b. Domestic Violence Against Ms. Norris ............................ 185
            c. Removal ......................................................... 186
            d. Court Proceedings ............................................... 186
            e. Subsequent History .............................................. 187
        7.  Rhodes ............................................................. 187
            a. Background ...................................................... 187
            b. Intervention by ACS ............................................. 188
            c. Removal ......................................................... 188
            d. Court Proceedings ............................................... 188
            e. Subsequent History .............................................. 188
        8.  Berisha ............................................................ 188
            a. Background ...................................................... 188
            b. Removal ......................................................... 189
            c. Court Proceedings ............................................... 189
            d. Subsequent History .............................................. 190
        9.  Jane Doe ........................................................... 190
            a. Background ...................................................... 190
            b. Investigation by ACS ............................................ 190
            c. Domestic Violence Against Jane Doe .............................. 190
            d. Removal ......................................................... 191
            e. Court Proceedings ............................................... 191
            f. Subsequent History .............................................. 191
        10. Xiomara C .......................................................... 192
            a. Background ...................................................... 192
            b. Domestic Violence Against Mrs. C ................................ 192
            c. Removal ......................................................... 192
            d. Court Proceedings Against Ms. C ................................. 192
        11. Other Cases ........................................................ 192
     C. Modern Perspectives on Domestic Violence and Child Welfare ............. 193
        1.  Historical Background .............................................. 193
            a. Domestic Violence ............................................... 193
            b. Child Welfare ................................................... 194
        2.  Views of Experts ................................................... 197
            a. Effects of Domestic Violence on Children ........................ 197
            b. Effects of Removals on Children ................................. 198
        3.  Best Practices ..................................................... 200
            a. Mothers Should Not Be Accused of Neglect For Being Victims
                of Domestic Violence ........................................... 200
            b. Batterers Should Be Held Accountable ............................ 201
            c. Children Should Be Protected by Offering Battered Mothers
                Appropriate Services and Protection ............................ 202
            d. Separation of Battered

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