BOSTON — Justina Pelletier, the Connecticut girl at the center of a lengthy custody dispute, will be placed in a residential treatment facility in her home state next week, according to a letter released Monday by John W. Polanowicz, the Massachusetts secretary of health and human services.
The custody of Justina will remain with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families under a juvenile court order, according to Polanowicz’s letter outlining a “reunification plan” developed with Pelletier’s parents, Lou and Linda Pelletier, who live in West Hartford, Conn.
The Pelletiers met with Polanowicz Monday to discuss plans for Justina’s future.
According to Polanowicz’s letter, “This reunification plan has been in development for several weeks.”
He said Justina will move to the JRI Susan Wayne Center for Excellence, a “therapeutic education provider” in Thompson, Conn.
“JRI will provide services to Justina with the ultimate goal of her returning home as soon as possible,” Polanowicz wrote in the letter, which was addressed to Brad Jones, the Massachusetts’ House minority leader.
By Suzanne Carlson, Hartford Courant