Filed: March 2, 2000, Central District of California.

Nature of Case: A home schooling family's civil rights lawsuit against two San Bernardino County social workers has been settled for $40,000. The social workers had insisted upon entry into the DeSantis home to investigate allegations of physical abuse. Mrs. DeSantis told the workers, "You do not have my consent to enter, but the gate is open." The social workers then pushed through the gate and marched into the house. Inside the home, the two younger children were strip-searched and the 7-year-old was subjected to a traumatizing private interview. The DeSantis family sued the social workers for violating their Fourth Amendment right against entry without a warrant.