In foster care, the government holds legal custody of the child.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Unknown
• D. Sometimes

Answer: (B)

In foster care, the state holds legal custody of the child. This means the government has the authority to make major decisions about the child’s welfare—where the child lives, school placement, medical care, and other long-term arrangements. The foster family provides day-to-day care and supervision, but they do not have the final legal authority over the child’s welfare. The child’s birth parents may have their rights limited or terminated, depending on the case, but until a permanency plan is set (such as reunification, adoption, or guardianship), the state maintains legal custody. This setup ensures the child’s safety and welfare while a permanent plan is pursued.