Single mother accuses Gentle Hands orphanage head of kidnapping

Gentle Hands executive director Charity Graff (right) hugs the children before they are moved out of the orphanage she headed following a cease-and-desist order served by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (File photo taken by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ.)

MANILA, Philippines— A single mother filed cases of kidnapping and failure to return a minor against the head of an orphanage in Quezon City recently closed by authorities.

The parent and her lawyer sued Charity Graff, executive director of the private orphanage Gentle Hands.

In a complaint submitted to the Quezon City prosecutor’s office on Friday, the mother alleged that Graff “willfully deprived” her of custody of her one-year-old son.

INQUIRER.net has tried to get in touch with Gentle Hands but hasn’t heard back from them yet.

These incidents supposedly happened between February 28 and May 26, 2023.

The 27-year-old complainant also testified that the director had limited her children’s access.

She recalled the times when she was barred from seeing her child.

The mother had placed her son in Gentle Hand’s care for a short period beginning in January because she was dealing with her third pregnancy.

READ: Mother reunites with one-year-old son following orphanage shutdown

“In my case, I entrusted the temporary custody of [the boy] (name withheld by INQUIRER.net) with Gentle Hands Incorporated through its Executive Director, respondent Graff,” the complainant said.

“It is clear from the Admission Form and Consent for Admission that Gentle Hands Inc. will only have temporary custody of [the boy],” she emphasized.

“Under no circumstance did I abandon or relinquish my parental rights over [the boy],” the woman clarified?

“Respondent Graff cannot deny this fact because she approved of such an arrangement herself,” the mother said.

She also accused Gentle Hands of preventing the return of her son to her custody.

The situation persisted even if Graff had received the complainant’s Parental Capability Assessment Report (PCAR).

The legal document certifying that the mother was fit to get her son back.

Another mother previously filed a kidnapping case against Graff.

She alleged that the director refused to return her three children.

READ: Kidnapping charges filed vs. QC orphanage

Gentle Hands vs DSWD

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) issued a second cease-and-desist order against Gentle Hands on June 13.

It cited 13 fire safety violations based on the Quezon City Fire Department guidelines.

The violations include the absence of an automatic detection and alarm system and automatic sprinkler systems, the lack of posted emergency evacuation plans, and failure to conduct emergency egress and relocation drills.

The closure order followed the revocation of the fire safety inspection certification of the orphanage in May.

Before the closure, it had given Gentle Hands 20 days to address its deficiencies.

Another cease-and-desist has been filed against QC private orphanage Gentle Hands by the state welfare department.

DSWD issued the halt order due to alleged fire safety deficiencies. This follows the revocation of orphanage's fire safety certification in May. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/MwU2V50CNY

— Sofia Abrogar (@SAbrogarINQ) June 23, 2023

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