Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Hani Yasin called the police after the father of her two youngest children allegedly assaulted her. The Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services was then notified that Yasin and her three minor children would be transported to a domestic violence shelter. Four days later, social workers from Los Angeles County met with Yasin and her children at the shelter. When asked where she planned to go after she reached her 45-day limit at the shelter, Yasin said that after she received her relief check, she planned to live with relatives in Portland, Ore.

Staff members of the shelter allegedly informed two social workers that Yasin would leave the shelter before the 45-day period ended, endangering her children’s lives. The social workers allegedly completed a safety risk assessment and determined that Yasin did not meet criteria. Two social workers then came to the shelter unannounced, and Yasin’s children were removed from her care.

The children, ages 5 months, 21 months, and 7 years, were kept from Yasin in separate foster homes for more than four months. She was later reunited with the children but was required to remain in the county system for several more months.

Yasin, individually and on her children’s behalf, sued the county, alleging violation of her due process rights and unlawful detention. The plaintiffs claimed that as a result of the forced separation, the children suffered emotional distress.

The parties settled for $750,000.

Citation: Yasin v. Cty. of Los Angeles, No. 2:18-cv-01178-CBM-E (C.D. Cal. May 28, 2020).

Plaintiff counsel: Linda Wallace Pate, Beverly Hills, Calif.; and Kelley Bond, Los Angeles.