NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Middle Tennessee foster family fighting to recover the little girl they raised from infancy could be out of options after a judge ruled that she no longer needs to be looked after by the state.
Tennessee Department of Children's Services took custody of Sonya McCaul when she was just 1 year old. That happened after a baby sitter brought the child to Tennessee from Nebraska and then failed to take her back.
Sonya was raised for eight years by foster parents David and Kim Hodgins. But after a protracted legal battle, a judge sent the girl to live with her birth father for a trial visit.
On Thursday a judge agreed to a DCS request to remove Sonya from state custody. The move gives father John McCaul custody by default.