The federal judge who has repeatedly found Texas in contempt for not fixing its foster care system has been removed by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after a threejudge panel faulting U.S. District Judge Janis Jack’s “highly antagonistic demeanor,” The Texas Tribune reported. The three also reversed the $100,000 daily fine against the state’s defendants — the Texas Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Family and Protective Services, which runs the foster care system.
“We are pleased that the 5th Circuit recognized the significant efforts DFPS and HHSC have invested in serving the children and families of our state,” according to a shared statement from the health commission and social services agency.
About 9,000 children are permanent wards of the state after being removed from their homes because of neglect or abuse. Jack has been hearing that case since 2011. More than $200 million has been spent in attempts to improve the state’s foster care system since the case was filed.
