What I dont understand

Emily had moved up to NY to take care of the kids when her sister was arrested. Family Services came for the kids when Emily had ran out of money, got evicted from the apartment and had not been able to find a job.

The sister had no money, bank acccount or job and she was out of state Family Services would never hand over children to a relative they know nothing about. Most child abuse is in the hands of relatives.
The social worker said Emily used all her money giving it to her sister so she can spend it on drugs even though it was suppose to be for the kids. That doesn't help the aunt. It shows she has bad judgement. We know she is nice, But TPTB do not. She could be worse then then her sister for all they know. A lot of times relatives take children and do not anticipate how hard it could be and give the children back to foster care! They try to make sure that doesn't happen. Also why would they listen to a mother who has put their children in jeapordy like their mother had. So she is not a good source. What normally happens they place the children in a a approved foster care home investigate the family member and if every thing is ok they will hand the children over to the relative.

A previous poster wrote: 'social service lady said something like "dont you have any family they can be with".'

To my mind, the Child Services caseworker was asking about family members in order to get some leads as to where the aunt may have taken the kids.

--bccmee

Life is a movie; write your own ending