5th U.S. Circuit Court removes judge from foster-care suit

The federal judge who has repeatedly found Texas in contempt for not fixing its foster-care system has been removed by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after a threejudge panel faulted U.S. District Judge Janis Jack’s “highly antagonistic demeanor,” The Texas Tribune reported.

The three also reversed the $100,000 daily fine against the state’s defendants — the Texas Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Family and Protective Services, which runs the foster-care system.

“We are pleased that the 5th Circuit recognized the significant efforts DFPS and HHSC have invested in serving the children and families of our state,” according to a shared statement from the health commission and social-services agency.