Court Boycott

Re “Social Agency Boycotts Court Commissioner,” Aug. 3:

Your characterization of Commissioner Bradley A. Stoutt depicts him as a judicial officer who cares not for the children who appear before him. On the contrary, Stoutt demands that the Department of Children and Family Services follow statutes, case law, court rules, regulations and policies to ensure that children are protected. He demands that reports have substance as to the child’s well-being. Often, however, the petitions alleging abuse and the social study reports that are submitted by the department are so inadequate that no court of law could maintain jurisdiction over a child.

There is far too much time being spent on looking for someone to blame for deaths and injuries to children. Too much time is spent looking for a thread that isn’t there. When will they learn that it is the lack of training, education, services and placements that contribute to deaths and injuries of children not only at home but in foster care.

BARBARA E. AUERBACH

Attorney in the Dependency Court

Los Angeles