By Associated Press
Tulsa, OK – Okla. magistrate tells DHS to turn over more files
TULSA, Okla. (AP) A federal magistrate says the Oklahoma Department of Human Services must improve the pace of providing case-file information to plaintiffs in a lawsuit over the state's foster-care system.
U.S. Magistrate Frank McCarthy said Thursday if more files aren't turned over, the court could issue orders that DHS may consider to be harsh.
New York-based Children's Rights sued DHS in 2008, alleging the agency systematically failed to care for children who are abused or neglected.
McCarthy says the 44 case files that were supplied to the plaintiffs' lawyers and the more than 1,400 hours devoted by DHS in June to the effort are unacceptably low.
DHS's attorney, David Page, says the process of getting the data has been challenging and time consuming.
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Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com