Foster parents return Moana to state care
The couple caring for “Moana” – a traumatised young girl placed with them five years ago – say they can no longer deal with the ongoing legal battle for her care and have made the painful call to return her to Oranga Tamariki.
The couple, known as the Smiths, came to their decision after a High Court decision that went in their favour was appealed by Moana’s birth mother, who wants Moana placed in the care of a Wellington family – the Taipas – who are also caring for Moana’s brother.
When Moana was placed in the care of a Hawke’s Bay couple in September 2018 her teeth were rotten, she had an untreated club foot and showed all the symptoms of a traumatised child.
The then 3-year-old – one of four siblings – had already been removed from her mother three times.
Link to video and article: 'Hardest decision of our lives': Foster parents return Moana to state care | Stuff.co.nz
