Cultural Differences Take Center Stage in Houston Custody Battle

By Sarah Harper

Published on October 09, 2007

The case began in 2005, when CPS investigated reports that Sally Liu, who suffers from schizophrenia, wasn’t properly caring for her infant son, Raymond, whom she gave birth to out of wedlock. Sally’s mother, Hiu Situ, and sister, Connie Diep, had been helping care for Raymond. According to court documents, Situ denied her daughter’s illness, and the Liu family later failed to claim Raymond initially and declined court translators. CPS placed Raymond with Caucasian foster parents, who are presently filing for adoption.

However, advocates for the Liu family see the situation differently. According to Kim Szeto of the Asian American Family Service, the family feels that CPS is insensitive to Chinese families’ insular nature. He added that the stigma against Sally’s unwed pregnancy and her mental illness has made the Liu family reluctant to seek outside help.

The Liu family and its advocates are attempting to have the court place the boy with the family. They claim CPS is unequipped to deal with Chinese immigrant families. The conflicting perspectives of the parties in the case highlight the complexity of determining child welfare in multicultural cases.

Sally Liu’s attorney, Gary Polland, is expected to file for a new trial this month.

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