State files for legal custody of 11 children

Attorney General’s Office has lodged cases with the Family Court requesting transfer of legal custody of 11 children who are under state care in order to ascertain their safety and protection.

The 11 children are of ages ranging from six months to 13 years. Three of the children are under the age of one year, four of the children are between one to two years, three are between two to five years, and one is 13 years of age.

Attorney General’s Office lodged cases for the legal custody of the 11 children with the Family Court this Sunday.

According to the office, all 11 children were taken into state custody by Gender Ministry following their parents’ refusal to be responsible for their care or repeated negligence in care, along with lack of family willing to serve as their guardians.

The office also said that according to information collected by Gender Ministry, most of the parents of the children are drug offenders.

The 11 new cases add to the 18 custody cases already ongoing at the Family Court.

Attorney General’s Office reported that the 11 new cases were the remainder of the requests for custody made by Gender Ministry with the office.

The Maldivian Constitution establishes that the state must award special consideration and assistance towards children.