“Because the juvenile court has the ultimate decisionmaking power with respect to placement and custody, it alone could deprive Pittman of his fundamental right.”
How later courts described this case
- “Because the juvenile court has the ultimate decisionmaking power with respect to placement and custody, it alone could deprive Pittman of his fundamental right.”
- “[T]o the extent that Pittman suffered a deprivation of his fundamental right to family integrity, that deprivation was perpetrated by the juvenile court, not by [the social worker].”
- no violation of clearly established Fourth Amendment law when social worker questioned minor in his own home and did not “seize” him
- “The plaintiff has failed to set forth even one case which establishes that visitation, as opposed to custody, is a constitutionally protected liberty interest of a parent who does not have custody.”
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION
MARCUS BARRETT, et al.,
Plaintiffs, Case No. 23-10755
v.
Hon. George Caram Steeh
REBECCA ROBYDEK, et al.,
Defendants.
_____________________________/
OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING
DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS (ECF NO. 10)
Defendants Rebecca Robydek, Kaitlyn Montone, Renee Smith, and
Ryan Makowski seek dismissal of Plaintiffs’ claims against them pursuant
to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1) and (b)(6). Because the court
finds that these defendants are entitled to qualified immunity, it will grant
their motion to dismiss.
BACKGROUND FACTS
This civil rights case arises out of a child abuse and neglect
proceeding that spanned from 2018 to 2021. Plaintiffs Marcus Barrett and
Wendy Wierzbicki are parents of a minor son, B.B. Barrett is also the father
of an older son, S.B. Defendants Rebecca Robydek, Kaitlyn Montone, and
Ryan Makowski are social workers with Children’s Protective Services
(“CPS”), which is part of the Michigan Department of Health and Human
Services (“DHHS”). Defendant Renee Smith is a CPS supervisor.
Plaintiffs allege that S.B. had a history of making unsubstantiated
abuse allegations against Marcus Barrett. ECF No. 3 at ¶¶ 13-14. In one of
the complaints, it was noted that S.B. “makes up stories to get Marcus and
other adults in trouble with police and CPS.” Id. In a meeting regarding
S.B., Robydek allegedly told Barrett that “if you do not sell your house and
move out of the county . . . not only will we take away [S.B.], but we will
take your favorite son [B.B.] as well.” Id. ¶ 17. Barrett reported what
Robydek said to her supervisor.
Approximately one month later, Robydek signed a CPS investigation
report alleging that a preponderance of the evidence was found for one of
S.B.’s complaints of abuse. Id. at ¶ 20. Two more complaints were made
alleging that Barrett had “physically abused, improperly supervised and had
maltreated S.B. In these complaints it is was noted that Marcus is
manipulating law enforcement and S.B. is a troubled and poorly behaved
child.” Id. at ¶ 21.
On October 26, 2018, CPS social worker Sharyn Jeske filed a petition
for the removal of S.B. and B.B., which was approved by Robydek. The
children were placed with Barrett’s parents. Following a preliminary
hearing, in which Barrett and Wierzbicki waived the probable cause
determination, the circuit court placed S.B. in foster care and ordered B.B.
to be released to his mother, Wierzbicki. The court’s order provided for
Barrett to have supervised parenting time. See ECF No. 11 at PageID 264-
67. Plaintiffs contend that “[d]espite the Trial Court’s order, Montone
refused to release B.B. to Wendy [Wierzbicki] for two whole days.” ECF No.
3 at ¶ 26.
The abuse and neglect case continued for over two years and
hundreds of docket entries. Generally, Plaintiffs complain that Barrett did
not receive parenting time with B.B. as ordered by the court. For example,
on December 18, 2018, the court ordered that Barrett have parenting time
with B.B. for a minimum of two times per week, for a minimum of one hour.
ECF No. 3 at ¶¶ 31-32. The order provided that “[t]he supervisor shall have
the discretion to terminate parenting time if Respondents are inappropriate
in any way.” ECF No. 11 at PageID 271. Plaintiffs allege that Montone
refused to allow Barrett parenting time for the week of December 17 to 23,
2018, despite repeated requests, and refused parenting time on Christmas
Eve and Christmas. Id. at ¶¶ 33-34.
Based upon Montone’s refusal to provide parenting time, Barrett filed
a motion for contempt on December 24, 2018. Id. at ¶ 39. The motion was
heard on January 4, 2019; and the court continued Barrett’s supervised
parenting time and adjourned the motion for contempt until further notice.
Id. at ¶ 40.
Plaintiffs allege that on January 10, 2019, Montone terminated
Barrett’s parenting time after fifteen minutes. Id. at ¶¶ 43-44. Montone
claimed that she did so on her supervisor’s (Renee Smith’s) direction,
because Barrett was speaking to B.B. about the pending abuse and neglect
case, which Barrett denies. Id.
Thereafter, Ryan Makowski became the CPS caseworker assigned to
the abuse and neglect case. Plaintiffs allege that Makowski refused to
provide parenting time to Barrett for the week of January 27-Februrary 2,
2019, despite repeated requests. ECF No. 3 at ¶ 51.
On February 5, 2019, the court ordered a psychological evaluation for
S.B., and for B.B. to be released to Barrett and Wierzbicki. Plaintiffs allege
that Barrett had “extreme difficulty getting Makowski to comply with the
order and arrange the evaluation.” Id. at ¶ 56.
On February 27, 2019, the court ordered for sibling visits to occur,
facilitated by DHHS. Plaintiffs allege that Makowski arranged for a sibling
visit to occur 130 miles from B.B.’s residence and 55 miles from S.B.’s
residence. Makowski refused to change the location upon request and
“disregarded all communication with Marcus regarding the sibling visit.” Id.
at ¶ 58. Makowski also prohibited Barrett from participating in B.B.’s
extracurricular activities or doctor’s visits. Id. at ¶ 59.
Barrett filed a motion for order of contempt against Makowski, related
to his objections regarding the psychological evaluation, sibling visits,
parenting time, and extracurricular activities and doctor’s visits. ECF No. 3
at ¶ 60. After a hearing on March 25, 2019, the motion was dismissed
without prejudice. ECF No. 11 at PageID 285. Among other rulings, the
court scheduled a jury trial. Id.
On May 7, 2019, Makowski filed a supplemental petition for removal
of both children and to terminate Barrett’s parental rights to S.B., alleging
that Barrett refused to let Makowski speak with B.B. in private. ECF No. 3
at ¶¶ 61-62. Plaintiffs allege that Makowski filed the supplemental petition
in retaliation for the filing of the motion for contempt.
A jury trial was held in the abuse and neglect case on June 18, 2019,
and a finding was made that “there are statutory grounds to exercise
jurisdiction over the child(ren),” including the “failure to provide . . . support,
education, medical, surgical, or other necessary care for health or morals,”
“substantial risk of harm to mental well-being,” and “an unfit home
environment.” ECF No. 11 at PageID 288. S.B. was placed in the care of
DHHS, while B.B. was released to Barrett and Wierzbicki. However, on
September 30, 2019, the court issued an ex parte order again removing
B.B. from the care and custody of his parents. ECF No 3 at ¶ 64.
On October 3, 2019, the court ordered Barrett and Wierzbicki to have
supervised parenting time. Thereafter, the court entered a series of orders
regarding parenting time. On March 5, 2020, the court ordered that
Barrett’s parenting time was to be supervised by Isaac Watts. Plaintiffs
allege that even though Watts was willing to supervise the visits, Makowski
did not allow parenting time between March 14 and March 31, 2020.1
Barrett filed a motion to compel parenting time on March 27, 2020. In
response, the court entered an order providing for electronic parenting
time, due to public health and safety issues. ECF No. 11 at PageID 298.
The court continued its previous parenting time order until November
2020, when Barrett and Wierzbicki moved for unsupervised parenting time.
The court continued Wierzbicki’s parenting time as previously ordered and
provided Barrett with supervised parenting time twice a week, up to ten
hours total. ECF No. 3 at ¶ 79. This order was continued until February 23,
1 This occurred during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. On March 23,
2020, Governor Whitmer issued an executive order requiring non-essential workers to
stay home, although the order contained an exception for court-ordered parenting time.
ECF No. 3 at ¶ 75.
2021, when the court entered an order closing the case and returning B.B.
to his parents’ care and custody. Id. at ¶ 80.
Plaintiffs filed their complaint in this case on April 1, 2023, alleging
the following counts: Count I, violation of Fourteenth Amendment
substantive due process rights (against Robydek); Count II, seizure of B.B.
from November 5-7, 2018, by Montone in violation of the Fourth
Amendment; Count III, violation of due process related to the November 5-
7 seizure of B.B. (against Montone); Count IV, December 17-23, 2018,
seizure of B.B. in violation of the Fourth Amendment (against Montone);
Count V, violation of procedural due process related to the December 17-
23 seizure of B.B. (against Montone); Count VI, seizure of B.B. on January
10, 2019, in violation of the Fourth Amendment; Count VII, violation of
procedural due process related to January 10 seizure of B.B. (against
Montone); Count VIII, supervisor liability for approving January 10 seizure
of B.B. (against Renee Smith); Count IX, supervisor liability for acquiescing
in the January 10 procedural due process violation (against Smith); Count
X, seizure of B.B. from January 27, 2019, to February 2, 2019, in violation
of the Fourth Amendment (against Makowski); Count XI, violation of
procedural due process related to January 27-February 2 seizure of B.B.
(against Makowski); Count XII, seizure of B.B. from March 14, 2020, to
March 31, 2020, in violation of the Fourth Amendment (against Makowski);
Count XIII, violation of procedural due process related to March 14-31
seizure of B.B. (against Makowski); Count XIV, violation of substantive due
process (against Makowski); and Count XV, violation of substantive due
process against Judge Miriam A. Cavanagh.2 Although the caption of the
amended complaint states that the Defendants are being sued in their
individual and official capacities, the body of the complaint and Plaintiffs’
response brief make clear that Plaintiffs are pursuing individual capacity
claims only. ECF No. 3 at ¶ 1; ECF No. 15 at PageID 389-91.
LAW AND ANALYSIS
I. Standard of Review
To survive a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6), the plaintiff must
allege facts that, if accepted as true, are sufficient “to raise a right to relief
above the speculative level” and to “state a claim to relief that is plausible
on its face.” Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007); see
also Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). The complaint “must
contain either direct or inferential allegations respecting all the material
elements to sustain a recovery under some viable legal theory.” Advocacy
2 Count XV is the subject of a motion brought by Judge Cavanagh and will be
addressed in a separate order.
Org. for Patients & Providers v. Auto Club Ins. Ass’n, 176 F.3d 315, 319
(6th Cir. 1999) (internal quotation marks omitted).
When ruling on a motion to dismiss, the court may “consider the
Complaint and any exhibits attached thereto, public records, items
appearing in the record of the case and exhibits attached to defendant's
motion to dismiss so long as they are referred to in the Complaint and are
central to the claims contained therein.” Bassett v. Nat’l Collegiate Athletic
Ass’n, 528 F.3d 426, 430 (6th Cir. 2008).
II. Qualified Immunity
Plaintiffs’ claims arise under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which requires (1) the
deprivation of a constitutional right (2) by a person acting under color of
state law. Doe v. Miami Univ., 882 F.3d 579, 595 (6th Cir. 2018).
Defendants argue that they are entitled to qualified immunity, which
“protects government officials from liability for civil damages insofar as their
conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights
of which a reasonable person would have known.” Pearson v. Callahan,
555 U.S. 223, 231 (2009) (citation omitted). “Qualified immunity balances
two important interests – the need to hold public officials accountable when
they exercise power irresponsibly and the need to shield officials from
harassment, distraction, and liability when they perform their duties
reasonably.” Id. Ultimately, the “[p]laintiff bears the burden of showing that
defendants are not entitled to qualified immunity.” Maben v. Thelen, 887
F.3d 252, 269 (6th Cir. 2018).
In determining whether a defendant is entitled to qualified immunity,
the court inquires as follows: “Taken in the light most favorable to the party
asserting the injury, do the facts alleged show the officer’s conduct violated
a constitutional right?” Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 194, 201 (2001)
(abrogated on other grounds by Pearson, 555 U.S. at 236). “[I]f a violation
could be made out on a favorable view of the parties’ submissions, the next
. . . step is to ask whether the right was clearly established. . . . The
relevant, dispositive inquiry in determining whether a right is clearly
established is whether it would be clear to a reasonable officer that his
conduct was unlawful in the situation he confronted.” Id. at 201-202. It is
within the court’s discretion to determine which prong of this analysis to
address first, depending upon the circumstances of the case. Pearson, 555
U.S. at 236. However, “[w]hen a qualified immunity defense is asserted at
the pleading stage, we have historically found that the inquiry should be
limited to the ‘clearly established’ prong of the analysis if feasible.” Clark v.
Stone, 998 F.3d 287, 298 (6th Cir. 2021) (citing Barber v. Miller, 809 F.3d
840, 844 (6th Cir. 2015)). See also Siefert v. Hamilton Cnty., 951 F.3d 753,
762 (6th Cir. 2020) (qualified immunity appropriate at pleadings stage
“when the complaint establishes the defense”).
To be “clearly established,” a legal principle must be “settled law,”
which means “it is dictated by ‘controlling authority’ or a ‘robust consensus
of cases of persuasive authority.’” District of Columbia v. Wesby, 583 U.S.
48, 63-64 (2018) (citations omitted). “The precedent must be clear enough
that every reasonable official would interpret it to establish the particular
rule the plaintiff seeks to apply.” Id. The Supreme Court has “repeatedly
stressed that courts must not define clearly established law at a high level
of generality, since doing so avoids the crucial question whether the official
acted reasonably in the particular circumstances that he or she faced.” Id.
(cleaned up). Although a case directly on point is not required, “existing
precedent must have placed the statutory or constitutional question beyond
debate.” White v. Pauly, 580 U.S. 73, 79 (2017) (citation omitted). This
standard protects “all but the plainly incompetent or those who knowingly
violate the law.” Id. (citation omitted).
A. Fourth Amendment Seizure Claims
The numerous counts in Plaintiffs’ complaint may be grouped into
three categories: (1) violations of their Fourth Amendment right against
warrantless seizures, (2) violations of procedural due process under the
Fourteenth Amendment; and (3) violations of substantive due process
rights under the Fourteenth Amendment. The court first considers the
Fourth Amendment claim.
Like other state officers, social workers are “governed by the Fourth
Amendment’s warrant requirement.” Kovacic v. Cuyahoga Cnty. Dep’t of
Child. & Fam. Servs., 724 F.3d 687, 695 (6th Cir. 2013). They must “obtain
consent, have sufficient grounds to believe that exigent circumstances
exist, or qualify under another recognized exception to the warrant
requirement before engaging in warrantless entries and searches of
homes.” Id.
Plaintiffs argue that Montone and Makowski “seized” B.B. in violation
of the Fourth Amendment when they did not provide Barrett with court-
ordered parenting time or immediately release him to Wierzbicki in
November 2018. In support of this claim, Plaintiffs cite Kovacic, in which
the court held that it was clearly established under the Fourth Amendment
that “a social worker could not seize children from their home without a
warrant, exigent circumstances, or another recognized exception.” Id. at
698. The general principle set forth in Kovacic does not assist Plaintiffs
here, however, because they are not alleging that Montone and Makowski
removed B.B. from his home without a warrant. Rather, they allege that
Montone and Makowski did not arrange for court-ordered, supervised
parenting time for Barrett with B.B., or immediately release B.B. to
Wierzbicki pursuant to an order, after an abuse and neglect case had
commenced. Each of the alleged seizures occurred after a preliminary
hearing was held and the court became involved. It is not clear how the
social workers’ actions, while B.B. was under the supervision of CPS
pursuant to a court order, resulted in a “seizure” of B.B., such that a
warrant, exigent circumstances, or consent would be required. See ECF
No. 11 at PageID 264-67 (Order after Preliminary Hearing (Child Protective
Proceedings)). Plaintiffs cite no case suggesting that Montone and
Makowski’s conduct, in the particularized circumstances they faced, would
violate the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition on warrantless seizures. See
generally Brent v. Wayne Cnty. Dep’t of Hum. Servs., 901 F.3d 656, 686-87
(6th Cir. 2018) (no violation of clearly established Fourth Amendment law
when social worker questioned minor in his own home and did not “seize”
him).
B. Fourteenth Amendment Procedural Due Process Claims
Plaintiffs’ procedural due process claims are similarly flawed. As a
general matter, it is “clearly established that the Constitution recognizes
both a protectible procedural due process interest in parenting a child and a
substantive fundamental right to raise one’s child.” Bartell v. Lohiser, 215
F.3d 550, 557 (6th Cir. 2000). In the context of the removal of a child, due
process requires that “parents be given notice prior to the removal of the
child . . . stating the reasons for the removal . . . [and that] [t]he parents be
given a full opportunity at the hearing to present witnesses and evidence on
their behalf.” Kovacic, 724 F.3d at 700.
Plaintiffs cite no precedent demonstrating that they are entitled to a
hearing before a social worker can exercise discretion or refuse to provide
parenting time pursuant to a court order. Plaintiffs received a hearing
before the children were placed under the jurisdiction of CPS. The result of
the hearing was an order governing parenting time. Plaintiffs cite no
authority suggesting that the social workers’ administration or refusal of
parenting time pursuant to that order triggers additional due process
protections.
Moreover, parenting time and B.B.’s placement was administered
under the supervision of the state court. To the extent Plaintiffs claim that
Montone and Makowski did not comply with court orders, such issues were
for the state court to address, which it did, in response to motions filed by
Plaintiffs. The record reflects that Plaintiffs had an opportunity to be heard
on these issues.
The court finds that there is no clearly established precedent that
would alert Montone or Makowski that their actions violated either the
Fourth or Fourteenth Amendments, and that they are entitled to qualified
immunity with respect to Counts II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, X, XI, XII, and XIII. It
follows that Smith is entitled to qualified immunity for the supervisor liability
claims against her as well (Counts VIII and IX). See McQueen v. Beecher
Cmty. Sch., 433 F.3d 460, 470 (6th Cir. 2006) (“[A] prerequisite of
supervisory liability under § 1983 is unconstitutional conduct by a
subordinate of the supervisor.”); Bambach v. Moegle, __ F.4th __, 2024 WL
489356, at *10 (6th Cir. Feb. 8, 2024) (holding that “a necessary predicate”
to supervisor liability “is the existence of clearly established law indicating
the subordinate’s actions were unconstitutional”).
C. Substantive Due Process Claims
The remaining counts are Counts I and XIV, which allege substantive
due process claims against Robydek and Makowski. “[S]ubstantive due
process provides that, irrespective of the constitutional sufficiency of the
processes afforded, government may not deprive individuals of
fundamental rights unless the action is necessary and animated by a
compelling purpose.” Bartell v. Lohiser, 215 F.3d 550, 557-58 (6th Cir.
2000). “[T]he right to family integrity and association without interference
from the state . . . is the paradigmatic example of a substantive due
process guarantee.” Schulkers v. Kammer, 955 F.3d 520, 540 (6th Cir.
2020). However, “the right to family integrity, while critically important, is
neither absolute nor unqualified. The right is limited by an equaling
compelling governmental interest in the protection of children, particularly
where the children need to be protected from their own parents.” Kottmyer
v. Maas, 436 F.3d 684, 690 (6th Cir. 2006) (citations omitted).
The law in the Sixth Circuit regarding the standard for substantive
due process claims is somewhat muddled. In Pittman v. Cuyahoga Cnty.
Dep't of Child. & Fam. Servs., the court stated that “[s]ubstantive due
process claims may be loosely divided into two categories: (1) deprivations
of a particular constitutional guarantee; and (2) actions that ‘shock the
conscience.’” 640 F.3d 716, 728 (6th Cir. 2011) (citation omitted). But in
other cases, “the court has suggested both prongs are required.” Siefert v.
Hamilton Cnty., 951 F.3d 753, 765-66 (6th Cir. 2020) (citations omitted).
“Most recently, however, we have held that when we review a substantive
due process claim, we first ask whether the plaintiff has shown ‘a
deprivation of a constitutionally protected liberty interest’ and then ask
whether ‘the government’s discretionary conduct that deprived that interest
was constitutionally repugnant.’ . . . ‘Thus, a plaintiff must show as a
predicate the deprivation of a liberty or property interest,’ as well as
‘conscience-shocking conduct.’” Id. (citations omitted). Although
“conscience shocking” is not well-defined, “‘abuse of power’ serves as the
North Star in the analysis.” Id.
With regard to their substantive due process claims against Robydek
and Makowski, Plaintiffs assert that it is clearly established that
“substantive due process protect[s] against seizures by a social worker
where there was no justification for the seizure.” ECF No. 15 at PageID
395-96 (citing Vinson v. Campbell Cty. Fiscal Court, 820 F.2d 194 (6th Cir.
1987)). This general proposition does not control here, because Plaintiffs
do not allege that Robydek or Makowski engaged in conduct that could be
viewed as a seizure or other deprivation of a constitutionally protected
liberty interest.
As for Robydek, Plaintiffs claim that she threatened to remove B.B.
from Barrett’s custody in retaliation for problems caused by S.B. Although
such a threat could arguably be viewed as “conscience shocking,” Robydek
did not actually remove the children from their parents’ custody without a
court order or facilitate such a removal. Plaintiffs have cited no authority for
the proposition that such a threat, standing alone, violates the right to
family integrity or otherwise constitutes a substantive due process violation.
The analysis might be different if Plaintiffs had alleged that the child
abuse and neglect investigation was done with bad faith or an improper
motive, and was unfounded. See Kolley v. Adult Protective Servs., 725
F.3d 581, 585 (6th Cir. 2013) (“[A] government investigation of child abuse
will not automatically implicate the right to familial association, absent
evidence of bad faith, improper motive, or investigation tactics that ‘shock
the conscience.’”); cf. Schulkers v. Kammer, 955 F.3d 520, 542 (6th Cir.
2020) (“Defendants were on fair notice that it would be unlawful to deprive
Holly of her liberty interest in the companionship of her children without any
plausible suspicion of child abuse.”). Such an argument is precluded here
by the state court’s determination that the children should be placed in the
care and custody of CPS and a jury verdict substantiating the abuse. Under
the circumstances, it was the court’s actions that caused the removal of the
children, not Robydek’s. See Pittman, 640 F.3d at 729 (“Because the
juvenile court has the ultimate decisionmaking power with respect to
placement and custody, it alone could deprive Pittman of his fundamental
right.”).
Plaintiffs’ claim against Makowski is similarly deficient. In making
decisions regarding psychological evaluations, parenting time, and sibling
visits, Makowski was acting pursuant to discretion bestowed by court order.
The state court had already made the determination that the children
should be under the care and custody of CPS. See Pittman, 640 F.3d at
729 (“[T]o the extent that Pittman suffered a deprivation of his fundamental
right to family integrity, that deprivation was perpetrated by the juvenile
court, not by [the social worker].”). Plaintiffs cite no authority for the
proposition that a social worker who is administering parenting time,
arranging sibling visits, or otherwise attending to a child’s needs under
court supervision may deprive a parent of his fundamental right to family
integrity. See Toliver v. Lutheran Soc. Servs., No. 07-14179, 2009 WL
211034, at *2 (E.D. Mich. Jan. 27, 2009) (“Plaintiffs fail to cite, and this
Court’s independent search has failed to uncover, any case recognizing a
federally protected right to visitation or services while children are
temporarily housed in foster care pursuant to a valid court order.”); Young
v. Cnty. of Fulton, 999 F. Supp. 282, 286–87 (N.D.N.Y.), aff’d, 160 F.3d
899 (2d Cir. 1998) (“The plaintiff has failed to set forth even one case which
establishes that visitation, as opposed to custody, is a constitutionally
protected liberty interest of a parent who does not have custody.”); see also
Leta v. Hamilton Cnty. Dep't of Job & Fam. Servs., 668 F. Supp.3d 724,
736 (S.D. Ohio 2023), aff'd sub nom. Leta v. TriHealth, Inc., 2024 WL
229563 (6th Cir. Jan. 22, 2024) (no clearly established “authority holding
that parents who have lost temporary custody of their children retain a
substantive due process right to access and control their children’s medical
decisions”). As in Pittman, to the extent that Plaintiffs’ fundamental right to
family integrity is implicated in this case, any deprivation was the result of
state court action, not the conduct of the social workers. Pittman, 640 F.3d
at 729.
CONCLUSION
Plaintiffs have failed to sufficiently allege that Defendants violated
their clearly established constitutional rights. Accordingly, the court finds
that Defendants are entitled to qualified immunity.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Defendants’ motion to dismiss (ECF
No. 10) is GRANTED.
Dated: February 29, 2024
s/George Caram Steeh
HON. GEORGE CARAM STEEH
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
Copies of this Order were served upon attorneys of record
on February 29, 2024, by electronic and/or ordinary mail.
s/Lashawn Saulsberry
Deputy Clerk