Where To Place Oregon Six-Year-Old?

Oregon child welfare officials are grappling with a difficult case: where to place a six-year-old who is in state custody because of her mother’s ongoing drug use. The child’s grandmother, Kerrie Lechuga of Salem, wants custody – but claims the state plans to send the girl to live with her father in Mexico. He’s a convicted felon.

Kyle Iboshi reports for Newschannel 8 that Alfonso Pantoja-Samano, the girl’s father, served time in Oregon before being deported.

The Oregon Human Services Department wouldn’t comment, but issued this statement:

“Oregon’s Department of Human Services, Child Welfare follows state and federal laws in all reunification cases whether the placement is in state, out of state or out of country. While the reunification procedure is a legal obligation to reunite children with their legal parents, the work of Child Welfare is always guided by what is best for the child. There are checks and balances in the system that includes background checks, home studies and collaboration with local services for the child. In all DHS cases local judges with access to all information make the final decision.”