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• May 15, 2008 5:13 pm US/Eastern
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  Judge May Dismiss Suit By Mother Of Beaten Girl

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Judge May Dismiss Suit By Mother Of Beaten Girl

BOSTON (AP) ― A judge is considering whether to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the biological mother of a girl who was allegedly beaten into a coma by her adoptive mother and stepfather.

Allison Avrett, of Agawam, is suing the state Department of Social Services for damages for what she calls the wrongful adoption of Haleigh Poutre by Avrett's sister, Holli Strickland.

Strickland and her husband were charged in the 2005 beating that left the girl with brain damage.

During a hearing Wednesday in Suffolk Superior Court, lawyers for the state asked Judge Linda Giles to dismiss the lawsuit. They say Avrett voluntarily consented to allowing her sister to adopt Haleigh at age 7. The judge did not immediately rule on the request.

Haleigh is being treated at a rehabilitation hospital.

(© 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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