(Hendricks County, IN) - A judge has found the Indiana Department of Child Services in civil contempt for not producing adequate documentation regarding Judah Morgan.

After being returned to the custody of his biological parents, 4-year-old Judah was neglected and abused in his Union Township home. Following his tragic death in 2021, Judah’s foster family brought legal action against DCS, requesting that all documentation regarding the Morgans be released. DCS, however, labeled the information “confidential.” Officials initially released 122 documents and allegedly attempted to extend the deadline for releasing the rest until the statute of limitations had passed.

On Thursday a Hendricks County Superior Court judge agreed that DCS was in contempt of a court order for moving too slowly in providing the tens of thousands of documents pertaining to Judah. The ruling does not suggest that DCS contributed to Judah’s tragedy—only that it hindered the subsequent investigation. However, the court order does suggest that state authorities had been notified via email of Judah’s situation months before his death.

DCS now has until October 19th to turn over all documentation related to Judah.