Care & Protection of Stephen

The mother of four children appeals from a determination that her children should be placed in the care and protection of the Department of Social Services (department). On appeal, the mother asserts that her trial counsel was ineffective; that the judge erred by considering inadmissible evidence; that the judge’s determination that she currently is unfit to care for her children is not supported by clear and convincing evidence; and that the judge failed to consider the particular needs of each child in his findings. We transferred the appeal on our own motion. For the reasons stated in this…