DHS Addresses Questions Over Rushing Child from Foster Care

By Adrianna Iwasinski, NEWS 9

KINGFISHER, Oklahoma -- DHS is responding to questions about whether they rushed the transfer of a little boy from his foster family in Oklahoma to be with an out of state relative he'd never even met.

DHS originally placed the toddler in the care of Shiela Morgan of Kingfisher. She and her family had taken care of Lawrence Hotaling for nearly 10 months. In June, Shiela was notified by DHS that they would be transferring Lawrence within 5 days to live with his grandfather in Florida, a man he'd never met.

DHS Spokesperson Beth Scott said though she cannot comment as to specifics of the case, DHS is always looking at the best interest of the child.

She said their goal is to make any transition as seamless as possible and that in many cases, there is no need to draw out the process. She states in general, it is a priority to reunite children with their parents, and when that is not possible, a kinship relationship is sought. Their primary goal is to find a safe placement.

Lawrence's mom and dad terminated their parental rights.

"They rubber stamp everything. It's like they don't have a heart," Morgan said.

Morgan said she objected to the transfer because she wanted time for Lawrence to transition and get to know his grandfather before he was taken away to his home. She said DHS should reevaluate their policy and objected to the quick transfer in a recent court hearing.

Kingfisher Attorney Dan Stake represented Morgan at that hearing and said DHS could have given more notice

"They definitely rushed it. They provided my client with the minimum notice that was required by statute," Stake said. "Who in their right mind would think that this instantaneous transfer of this 17-month-old child from this family that loves and cares for him and with whom he's bonded, who would think that it makes sense to just pluck him from that environment and place him with people he's never met?"

On the DHS Web site, it states the rights of foster parents. They include the right to be notified and the right to actively participate in the case, but Morgan said that never happened. She initially fought the transfer in court and won, but this week a judge ruled the transfer would take place, and Lawrence is now in Florida with his grandfather.

"At least he'll have a second family that he can fall back on if needed. We will always be waiting for him," Morgan said.

More: Kingfisher Foster Family Wants DHS to Reevaluate Policy