A potential client contacted me because a Philadelphia Family Court judge awarded custody of her baby to the child's aunt because he was born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome as a result of client's prescribed medical treatment with Suboxone while pregnant. The child was released from the hospital to client and although child welfare authorities in PA were involved, they did not remove the child on this basis and found allegations of abuse/neglect unfounded. But the family part judge transferred custody to child's father's sister (father has some criminal issues of his own). Client moved for reconsideration, which was granted, but did not get custody back, only two hours of supervised visitation per week at the courthouse. Client says she was administered a "mouth swab" at the courthouse and supposedly tested positive for drugs (other than suboxone), although she was never given a copy of test results. (I have never heard of a mouth swab drug test; urine, or swab down below or hair follicle test, but not mouth swab). She swears that she has been in treatment and for eight years and has not been positive for anything other than suboxone. She contacted me because she read a newspaper article about my work in DCPP v. Y.N., but I am not admitted in Pennsylvania. Is anyone interested in talking to her?
Thanks,
Clara S. Licata
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Law Office of
Clara S. Licata, Esq.
700 Godwin Ave., Suite 210
Midland Park, NJ 07432
201-612-1170
Fax 201-612-1179
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