Rittscher v. State, Iowa Department of Social Services

UHLENHOPP, Justice.

This appeal of an action under the state tort claims act involves alleged negligence of public officers and employees with respect to the welfare of a minor. The minor is now an adult, the plaintiff Rebecca Puck Rittscher.

The case history, on file in a county social services department and incorporated into Rebecca’s petition, reveals the long story of an inadequate family. We briefly sketch the background.

In 1947 Helen Patchin, later to be Rebecca’s mother, sought foster care for her children. In 1948 psychological tests were made of Alvin and Helen Patchin and their…