Even in a system that has already done so much harm to Toia Potts’ family, DSS illegally directing the clerk of court not to file adoption petitions on behalf of her children’s biological kin still seemed almost unbelievable. And yet these actions were exactly what necessitated Team Emancipate’s Elizabeth Simpson to file a writ of mandamus — a legal tactic only for exceptional cases — to the Superior Court in Durham County. The writ requested an end to DSS’s interference with and due consideration of kinship adoption petitions.
Building on the momentum from WBTV’s recent coverage of Toia’s fight to win back her children from DSS, we held a press conference with her Georgia family members and many community supporters to denounce the department’s unjust actions, give Toia’s family a chance to complete all their paperwork to adopt the kids, and announce the launch of a petition in support of reunifying Toia’s kids and with their biological family.
In case you missed it, you can find all the press covering the event here →