JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A Lamar County judge has criticized the Department of Human Services related to the custody of a 3-year-old child whose biological father is a registered sex offender.
The Clarion-Ledger says the biological father is 24 years older than the child's mother. He was convicted for having sex with the mother when she was a minor and pleaded guilty to fondling her daughter from a previous relationship.
The woman allegedly has mental problems.
Despite that, Chancery Judge Ronald Doleac said some DHS workers didn't view the biological parents as unfit.
The judge says DHS ignored or failed to investigate reports of abuse and neglect.
Doleac terminated parental rights last month and gave permanent custody to a couple who has cared for the girl since she was 18 months old.
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