U.S. District Judge Marvin Shoob ruled Thursday that Fulton County has vastly improved it's legal protection of foster children in abuse and neglect cases and no longer needs federal oversight.

The county, which agreed to court oversight to settle a 2002 lawsuit, now has an Office of Child Attorney with 16 lawyers. Fulton had only four lawyers for 2,000 foster children when the lawsuit was filed.

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Fans celebrate in the stands after Cape Verde defeated Eswatini in a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Estádio Nacional in Praia, Cape Verde, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to clinch their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Cristiano Barbosa/AP)

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