Estate of Sumner v. Department of Social & Rehabilitation Services

In early 1988, thirteen-year-old Steven Buelowwas found to be a “child in need of care or supervision,” pursuant to 33 VSA. § 5502(a)(12)(C), based on an incident in which he refused to return home following an argument and subsequent altercation with his mother and stepfather. By the time of the disposition hearing, Steven had returned home pursuant to a plan of reunification. In its March 1988 disposition order, the juvenile court ordered that Steven be placed at home with his mother and stepfather, that his parents retain legal guardianship, but that the Department assume legal custody of…