Decision Delayed on Returning Child to Foster Home

An Orange County Juvenile Court referee on Friday postponed a decision on where to place 4-year-old Taj Jayyusi, who police say was abducted from his foster home by his biological parents Feb. 12.

Following a one-hour hearing to consider whether Jayyusi should remain in protective custody at Orangewood Children’s Home or be returned to his foster mother, Juvenile Court Referee Gary L. Vincent ordered attorneys to return to court Tuesday.

Taj’s foster mother, Susan White, would not comment on the proceedings other than to say, “I’m holding up pretty well, but I’m running out of court clothes.” The hearing, originally scheduled for Thursday, was postponed until Friday.

White had begun proceedings to adopt the boy at the time that his biological parents, Yaser and Deborah Ann Jayyusi, allegedly snatched him from White’s Rancho Santa Margarita home.

The couple were arrested in Cerritos Feb. 18 as Yaser Jayyusi tried to pick up his paycheck. The boy was with them at the time of their arrest.

Both parents are now being held at County Jail on suspicion of child abduction.

Child Protective Services officials have said that Taj is being kept at Orangewood to prevent any future abduction attempts that might occur if other people involved in the original abduction are still at large. Officials would not comment Friday on Taj’s whereabouts.