Olympia -- In the wake of widespread media coverage of a child welfare case in which an Amber Alert was issued after a mother and her boyfriend abducted her two young children Wednesday, the state Department of Social and Health Services is releasing the following information.

The Children's Administration received allegations of child abuse Feb. 11 of negligent treatment or maltreatment by the mother, Tivice Evans, and physical abuse by the mother's partner, known as Ahzariya Yasharahla. The family was contacted that day. Tacoma Police placed the children in protective custody. Child Protective Services began an investigation and the mother agreed to a voluntary placement of the children in foster care.

On Feb. 12 the two children had a medical examination. According to a report on the examination, medical professionals examined lesions on the three-year-old child’s back; the mother's explanation of skin sensitivity was not consistent with the injuries. The report noted multiple areas of healed or healing injuries, many of which were patterned scars not typical of accidental injuries. Medical personnel concluded that these were inflicted injuries.

The mother withdrew consent of the voluntary placement late in the day Feb. 13, at which time Tacoma Police re-established protective custody of the children. CPS scheduled a supervised parent-child visit for Wednesday, Feb. 18 and a shelter care hearing was scheduled for Feb. 19.

Children's Administration provides opportunity for visits with the parent/guardian and child(ren) after removing the children from the home. The level of supervision for these visits depends on the case. Families are offered any support services they may require or request.

The mother visited the children on Wednesday at the DSHS Children's Administration Pierce West office, and left the building with the children over the objections of CPS staff and building security. The mother was aided by her male partner and another adult male when she reached the lobby with the children. The two adult males accompanied the mother in the lobby and out to the car in the parking lot. Children's Administration staff and building security advised the mother not to leave with the children. Security officers followed the adults and children to the parking lot and to the car, noted the license number and immediately called police.

Children's Administration does not have legal authority to physically restrain parents/guardians during supervised visits.

A shelter care hearing was held Thursday. This hearing provides court review of the facts that formed the basis for temporary protective custody. Parents/guardians have the opportunity to present information in court and are appointed an attorney if they cannot afford one. The children will have a guardian ad litem appointed to represent their best interests. This hearing determines whether the children need to remain temporarily out of the family home or if they should return to the care of their parents. When children are placed away from the family home, we seek relative or kinship care if it is available and safe for the child. Further court hearings are scheduled as needed to hear testimony in the case.

In this situation, the court determined that the children will remain in foster care, and the next hearing is a contested shelter care hearing, which will occur Feb. 26 at 1:30 p.m. at Remann Hall in Tacoma.

Children's Administration did not have contact with the family members prior to Feb. 11.

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DSHS does not discriminate and provides equal access to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, color, gender, religion, creed, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, veteran's status or the presence of any physical, sensory or mental disability.