A $9 million settlement has been approved in a lawsuit that alleged social workers in Washington state knew that six abused children were in danger but failed to notify New Mexico authorities after their parents moved them there.
The judge in Snohomish County, Washington, approved the settlement Friday in the case against Washington's Child Protective Services and Department of Social and Health Services.
The parents are now serving prison sentences for the abuse.
A spokesman for the Washington Department of Social and Health Services says the settlement isn't a concession that the department should have taken additional steps to notify New Mexico authorities.
A trust will be established for the children, and experts will help craft life care plans to address the trauma.
___
Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.