Adoption of Paula

In 1991, after a trial held over numerous dates in 1989 and 1990, a District Court judge adjudicated Paula and her five half-sisters, Phyllis, Jennifer, Susan, Kimberly, and Diane, to be children in need of care and pro*718tection, and committed them to the custody of the Department of Social Services (department) pursuant to G. L. c. 119, § 24 (1992 ed.). Substitute care review hearings were held, pursuant to G. L. c. 119, § 29B (1992 ed.), resulting in approval of the substitute care plan submitted by the department which had as its goal adoption of the children. In 1992, a District Court judge…