Child’s fate took a back
seat to staffer’s vacation

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

For many working people, an important project or meeting at times must take precedence over a vacation.
That’s not necessarily the case when it comes to the city’s Department of Human Services.
The protracted battle of Morris and Mildred Brasovankin to retain custody of their 5-year-old grandson, Steven, became even more drawn out because of the boy’s vacationing DHS social worker. The social worker’s absence during a July 17 hearing in Family Court — scheduled to decide the youngster’s fate — led to a six-week delay of the proceedings.
The Brasovankins, who had been caring for the child, and attorney Marc Collazzo had hoped to show Common Pleas Judge Ann Butchart that although the couple are in their 80s, they are fit to care for Steven in their Oxford Circle home.
But that will have to wait until Sept. 11. And young Steven remains in foster care.
The Brasovankins — Morris is 89, Mildred’s 85 — have cared for the boy on and off throughout his young life. Steven was born to a mother addicted to drugs, and his father, the Brasovankins’ son, recently was ordered by the court to undergo psychological counseling.
Collazzo, who said during the July 17 hearing that he objected to any delay, thought the vacationing DHS worker would be at the court session.
Arthur Evans, DHS acting commissioner, told the Times last week that the social worker, James Hood, had verbally informed the court soon after a June 13 hearing that he would be on vacation when the scheduled July 17 court session took place.
On the 17th, the Brasovankins arrived at court from their Northeast home, and principals in the case were ready to proceed — but the social worker wasn’t around. While the situation could have been handled differently, Evans said, he contended that a good-faith effort had been made to notify the court of Hood’s absence. Evans does not consider it a case of negligence.
"What should have happened — it should have been put in writing sooner. That’s hindsight," Evans said. "Generally speaking, the expectation is that people are going to perform professionally, communicate appropriately."
According to the acting commissioner, DHS had supported Steven’s placement with his grandparents in March, yet complied with the court’s decision to find placement for the boy in 90 days.
The DHS social worker took Steven from his school on June 6 and placed him in foster care, one week before an emergency hearing had been scheduled. His grandparents get to visit him for one hour each week.
The court now wants to see the focus shift from the grandparents to the best interests of the boy, Evans said.
But Collazzo, the Brasovankins’ attorney, steadfastly insists that returning the child to his grandparents is in his best interest. ••
Reporter Diane Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dprokop@phillynews.com