A federal judge has ruled that Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness may continue to operate its Midlothian facility as a children’s quarantine center.
The village has been trying to shut down the facility, which the organization has used for Department of Children and Family Service youths in care affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are pleased with (Wednesday’s) ruling granting our motion for a temporary restraining order, which will allow the continued operation of the Children’s Quarantine Center – a first of its kind program that serves as a last resort for DCFS youth who have been exposed to or diagnosed with COVID-19 and have nowhere else to safely quarantine,” Ricardo Meza, lead counsel for Aunt Martha’s, said in a statement.
Along with the restraining order, Aunt Martha’s has also filed suit against the village, arguing its attempt to shut down the center violates several federal laws.
“Today is an important day for everyone who cares about the health and well-being of the youth in our child welfare system, and it is just the latest chapter in Aunt Martha’s long history of standing up for and serving the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Raul Garza, president and CEO of Aunt Martha’s.
Village officials could not be reached for additional comment on Wednesday’s ruling.
Representatives from Midlothian have insisted the center should not be allowed, saying it is “not currently safe for use as a medical quarantine center.”
“The public interest favors enforcement of safety rules so that the DCFS Youth-In-Care escape one type of harm only to find themselves trapped in another (potentially more) dangerous situation,” they argued in a filing against the temporary restraining order.
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