CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : OAKLAND : Parents Protest Children’s Removal

A group of about 50 parents protested “overzealous” social service agencies that they contend prematurely remove children from their homes after false allegations of abuse are made. “While child abuse, whether sexual, physical or emotional, is a grave problem not to be excused, too many children are being removed prematurely from their homes,” said Shoneen Gervich of Victims of Child Abuse Laws. Alameda County Superior Court Judge Michael Ballachey defended the Family Court services that he supervises. “We must protect the interest of the children, and I have every confidence that our Family Court and administrative staff is meeting that responsibility,” he said.