Adoption of Nate

Frustrated by the failure of the Department of Social Services (department) to identify a permanent placement for Nate, a troubled ten year old child, within one year after the termination of the mother’s parental rights, a Juvenile Court judge vacated the decree terminating the mother’s parental rights. The care and protection judgment, however, remained in place, and custody of the child remained with the department. The judge, in response to a motion by the department, then reconsid*372ered his decision and reinstated the decree retroactive to the date of its original issuance. We conclude…