Terrell C. v. Department of Social & Health Services

— Statutory duties and obligations imposed on social workers of the Department of Social and Health Services and Child Protective Services were enacted to prevent child abuse and preserve the integrity of the family where possible. Those duties and obligations do not extend to protect all other children with whom client children come into contact during day-to-day activities absent a recognized statutory duty, the existence of a special relationship, or the ability to control the actions of a dependent child who may cause harm to another. None of those situations are present here. The trial…