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Order obtained of judge siding with adoptive mom fighting DSS for child's care

By Brittney Johnson, wsoctv.com
By Brittney Johnson, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A local judge said North Carolina Department of Social Services acted in bad faith in a ruling reversing the agency's decision in an adoption case Eyewitness News has covered for months.

[Judge's final order against NC DSS] 

In April, we were inside the courtroom when Katherine Noto took DSS to court for denying her an additional stipend to pay for additional mental health treatment for her adopted son.

Eyewitness News obtained a copy of the judge's order, which sided with Noto.

The judge said DSS's actions were in bad faith and the agency failed to properly advise Noto about the requirements for funding, causing her to be deprived of significant financial assistance needed to care for her son's escalating mental health needs.

The state agreed to pay her an additional $1,200 a month and to do so retroactively back to April of 2015.

[PAST COVERAGE: 9 investigates: Local mom adopts foster kids, battles state for care funds]

[PAST COVERAGE: Adoptive mom fighting DSS for child's care wins in court]

Since receiving the news, Noto has already taken her son to a two-week therapy session in Minnesota. She says it would not have been covered by insurance and she couldn't afford it on her own without the funding.

"The changes I've seen in him in the last month and a half have been just amazing," Noto said.

Noto said she has received many calls from other families with concerns and she's started a support group that meets every other Sunday.

Noto and her attorney, Tiffany Bolling, are also starting an organization to advocate for families.

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