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L'Aquila Appeals Court Rejects Appeal in Vasto Child Placement Case

The decision leaves the lower court's March 6 removal order in force.

Overview

  • The Court of Appeal of L'Aquila declared the family's challenge inadmissible, rejecting their attempt to overturn a juvenile-court measure.
  • The three children remain in a Vasto residential facility known as a casa famiglia, where they have lived since November 20, with no change to parental access.
  • The March 6 order removed mother Catherine Birmingham from the facility, and the parents argued the measure was unilateral and relied on social-service reports over a health authority note urging family ties.
  • An audio recorded in February by Birmingham and published by Il Centro, now in the court file, captures a six-year-old twin crying at night and saying he fears not returning home.
  • In Italy's juvenile system, an inadmissible appeal is not reviewed on its merits, so the original order stays active and the Juvenile Court will continue managing the case.