HONOLULU (KHON2) — The legal guardians of 10-year-old Geanna Bradley are expected in court on Wednesday. This comes as questions remain regarding oversight for children who are in the care of legal guardians.
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Court documents state, Bradley lived with Brandy and Thomas Blas since she was two years old. Documents go on to state that the Blas’ gained legal guardianship of Bradley when she was four after a judge signed guardianship paperwork in October 2018.
Legal experts said, foster parents fall under the Department of Human Services and can file a petition to become legal guardians, but when it comes to legal guardians oversight is limited.
“The idea of foster parents coming under the Department of Human Services, there’s a structure and a set of rules and guidelines that they have to follow,” said Seth Harris, Porter Kiakona and Kopper Senior Associate Attorney. “As for guardians, that doesn’t exist as much. That is someone who is coming in to take over a role that the court sees appropriate.”