In re Lisa Diane G.
Rhode Island Supreme Court
537 A.2d 131 (1988)
A couple (plaintiffs) adopted Lisa Diane G. at age eight without being told by the Department of Children and Their Families (DCF) (defendant), which held legal custody beforehand, that a hospital treating emotionally disturbed patients had specifically advised against adopting Lisa Diane due to her behavioral issues; alleging DCF's omission was fraud and misrepresentation, the parents sued to nullify the adoption and recover their childrearing expenses. The Family Court dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, and the parents appealed.
Whether the Family Court has jurisdiction to provide relief sought by adoptive parents seeking to nullify an adoption based on fraud and misrepresentation and to recover resulting damages.