Custody of a Minor (No. 1)

This case presents the question whether the Juvenile Court or the Superior Court has jurisdiction under G. L. c. 119, § 26, to hear a review and redetermination petition regarding a child in the custody of the Department of Social Services (department) pursuant to a care and protection proceeding. G. L. c. 119, § 24. We decide that jurisdiction over such petitions is properly in the Juvenile Court.

This case has a lengthy procedural lineage, a phenomenon all too common in the child custody area. The minor was bom in January, 1977, and in June of that year the department filed a care and…