Grandparents lose
a round in court

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

Morris and Mildred Brasovankins’ hopes were dashed Tuesday when Family Court Judge Ann Butchart decided their grandson Steven should remain in foster care.
The couple have been going through the judicial system in an attempt to bring the 5-year-old boy back to their Oxford Circle home. The grandparents had been caring for the child when the city Department of Human Services, acting under a court directive, removed the boy from their care in June.
The Brasovankins’ attorney, Marc Collazzo, has told the court that Morris, 89, and Mildred, 86, have been the most stable influence on the boy’s life. Collazzo was unable to comment after Tuesday’s hearing because of a gag order that the judge has imposed on participants involved with the case.
The couple were called to take care of young Steven in February after his father, Steven Brasovankin, had taken him to the hospital because of a cold, requesting that the youngster be admitted for treatment and then allegedly acting erratically when his request was denied because the boy’s condition failed to warrant it.
The boy’s mother has floated in and out of young Steven’s life. With his father unable to take care of him, DHS entered the picture when the Brasovankins became caregivers for their grandson.
After Tuesday’s court session, court spokesman Jeff Jubelirer told reporters that the Brasovankins will continue to have weekly visits with their grandson. Visitation privileges for the boy’s father would be increased, he added.
Steven’s father was the only parent present in court on Tuesday. The father has met the objectives outlined by the court, such as attending all visitations with his son, being on time for them, and interacting with his son, Jubelirer said.
"The goal is reunification with the parents," he added.
After the Brasovankins assumed care of their grandson during the winter, an ensuing court hearing in March concluded with a judge declaring Steven a dependent of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and instructing DHS to find placement for him within 90 days.
On June 6, one week before a scheduled emergency hearing to decide the boy’s future, DHS staff took Steven from his school and placed him in foster care.
The Brasovankins had hoped to bring Steven home after a July 17 hearing, but the session was continued until Tuesday’s court date.
Another hearing will be on the agenda, though it remains to be scheduled.
"It’s not over," Jubelirer said of the process.
Administrative Judge Kevin Dougherty issued another statement this week, stressing once again that the case is one of dependency, not custody.
"Dependency cases focus on the child and his or her parent(s). Dependency cases require the court to balance the rights of the minor child with the rights and actions of the biological parent(s) and legal guardians," the statement said. "Under Pennsylvania law, grandparents are typically afforded more rights in custody cases than in dependency cases." ••
Reporter Diane Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dprokop@phillynews.com

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