Ann Marie N. v. City And County Of San Francisco

2001 WL 1261958 (2001)

Facts

Mathew was born in 1986 with alcohol and cocaine in his system. Mathew was removed from the custody of his mother. Parental rights were eventually terminated. P was a social worker in Stockton and expressed an interest in adopting Mathew. She clearly indicated that she did not want to adopt a child with a blood disorder. P learned that Mathew had been drug exposed and was born addicted to alcohol and drugs. P was not aware of the mother’s involvement in prostitution. The adoption became final in 1990. In 1996, P learned that the mother had died of AIDS. She then took Mathew for testing and discovered he was HIV positive. D had begun procedures for HIV testing but had not adopted them until 1993. P sued Ds for negligence, intentional misrepresentation, and intentional concealment. Ds moved for summary judgment. The court found as a matter of law an adoption agency cannot be liable for mere negligence. The court granted summary judgment on negligence and intentional misrepresentation but allowed the concealment claim to stand. P presented her evidence, and Ds moved for a nonsuit. It was granted. P appealed.