Appoġġ defends its position on care orders after mother's claims

Aġenzija Appoġġ insisted this afternoon that care orders are issued only when absolutely necessary and after proper investigation. The agency was reacting to press reports of a judicial letter filed in court on Monday by the mother of a nine-year-old boy who called on the agency to lift a care order on her son, imposed 13 months ago. She also claimed that her son was in such a desperate condition, that he was receiving psychological treatment after suicide attempts. The agency said it protected the identity of all its clients and thus could not comment on individual cases. "Aġenzija Appoġġ ensures that in all cases where there is the need to issue a Care Order, this only happens when this is necessary and after the Agency has carried out all the necessary investigations and took other actions to ensure the protection of the minors involved. Each decision is taken in the best interest of the minors," the agency said. "According to Maltese law that regulates Care Orders, parents who feel that their child has been taken unfairly have the right to appeal this decision in the Juvenile Court. Thus, when a Care Order is issued, parents may appeal during a period of up to 21 days from the...