deshaney winnebago cty soc servs argued november decided february petitioner child subjected series beatings father lived respondents county department social services several social workers received complaints petitioner abused father took various steps protect however act remove petitioner father custody petitioner father finally beat severely suffered permanent brain damage rendered profoundly retarded petitioner mother sued respondents alleging respondents deprived petitioner liberty interest bodily integrity violation rights substantive component fourteenth amendment due process clause failing intervene protect father violence district granted summary judgment respondents appeals affirmed held respondents failure provide petitioner adequate protection father violence violate rights substantive component due process clause pp state failure protect individual private violence generally constitute violation due process clause clause imposes duty state provide members general public adequate protective services clause phrased limitation state power act guarantee certain minimal levels safety security forbids state deprive individuals life liberty property without due process law language fairly read impose affirmative obligation state ensure interests come harm means pp merit petitioner contention state knowledge danger expressions willingness protect danger established special relationship giving rise affirmative constitutional duty protect certain special relationships created assumed state respect particular individuals may give rise affirmative duty enforceable due process clause provide adequate protection see estelle gamble youngberg romeo affirmative duty protect arises state knowledge individual predicament expressions intent help limitations imposed freedom act behalf imprisonment institutionalization similar restraint personal liberty duty existed harms petitioner suffered occurred state holding custody custody natural father sense state actor state may aware dangers faced played part creation anything render vulnerable circumstances due process clause impose upon state affirmative duty provide petitioner adequate protection pp may well voluntarily undertaking provide petitioner protection danger played part creating state acquired duty state tort law provide adequate protection danger due process clause transform every tort committed state actor constitutional violation pp rehnquist delivered opinion white stevens scalia kennedy joined brennan filed dissenting opinion marshall blackmun joined post blackmun filed dissenting opinion post donald sullivan argued cause petitioners briefs curry first mark mingo argued cause respondents brief wayne yankala joel klein deputy solicitor general ayer argued cause amicus curiae urging affirmance brief solicitor general fried assistant attorney general bolton roy englert barbara herwig john koppel briefs amici curiae urging reversal filed american civil liberties union children rights project et al christopher hansen marcia robinson lowry john powell steven shapiro helen hershkoff massachusetts committee children youth laura carroll briefs urging affirmance filed state new york et al robert abrams attorney general new york peter sherwood solicitor general peter schiff deputy solicitor general michael buskus assistant attorney general joseph lieberman attorney general connecticut joseph curran attorney general maryland dave frohnmayer attorney general oregon leroy zimmerman attorney general pennsylvania donald hanaway attorney general wisconsin charles hoornstra assistant attorney general national association counties et al benna ruth solomon douglas poe gwendolyn gregory august steinhilber thomas shannon filed brief national school boards association amicus curiae chief justice rehnquist delivered opinion petitioner boy beaten permanently injured father lived respondents social workers local officials received complaints petitioner abused father reason believe case nonetheless act remove petitioner father custody petitioner sued respondents claiming failure act deprived liberty violation due process clause fourteenth amendment constitution hold facts case undeniably tragic petitioner joshua deshaney born wyoming granted parents divorce awarded custody joshua father randy deshaney father shortly thereafter moved neenah city located winnebago county wisconsin taking infant joshua entered second marriage also ended divorce winnebago county authorities first learned joshua deshaney might victim child abuse january father second wife complained police time divorce previously hit boy causing marks prime case child abuse app winnebago county department social services dss interviewed father denied accusations dss pursue january joshua admitted local hospital multiple bruises abrasions examining physician suspected child abuse notified dss immediately obtained order wisconsin juvenile placing joshua temporary custody hospital three days later county convened ad hoc child protection team consisting pediatrician psychologist police detective county lawyer several dss various hospital personnel consider joshua situation meeting team decided insufficient evidence child abuse retain joshua custody team however decide recommend several measures protect joshua including enrolling preschool program providing father certain counselling services encouraging father girlfriend move home randy deshaney entered voluntary agreement dss promised cooperate accomplishing goals based recommendation child protection team juvenile dismissed child protection case returned joshua custody father month later emergency room personnel called dss caseworker handling joshua case report treated suspicious injuries caseworker concluded basis action next six months caseworker made monthly visits deshaney home observed number suspicious injuries joshua head also noticed enrolled school girlfriend moved caseworker dutifully recorded incidents files along continuing suspicions someone deshaney household physically abusing joshua nothing november emergency room notified dss joshua treated injuries believed caused child abuse caseworker next two visits deshaney home told joshua ill see still dss took action march randy deshaney beat joshua severely fell coma emergency brain surgery revealed series hemorrhages caused traumatic injuries head inflicted long period time joshua die suffered brain damage severe expected spend rest life confined institution profoundly retarded randy deshaney subsequently tried convicted child abuse joshua mother brought action district eastern district wisconsin respondents winnebago county dss various individual employees dss complaint alleged respondents deprived joshua liberty without due process law violation rights fourteenth amendment failing intervene protect risk violence father hands knew known district granted summary judgment respondents appeals seventh circuit affirmed holding petitioners made actionable claim two alternative reasons first held due process clause fourteenth amendment require state local governmental entity protect citizens private violence mishaps attributable conduct employees holding specifically rejected position endorsed divided panel third circuit estate bailey oare county york dicta jensen conrad cert denied state learns particular child danger abuse third parties actually undertakes protect danger special relationship arises child imposes affirmative constitutional duty provide adequate protection second held reliance decision martinez california casual connection respondents conduct joshua injuries attenuated establish deprivation constitutional rights actionable therefore found unnecessary reach question whether respondents conduct evinced state mind necessary make due process claim daniels williams davidson cannon inconsistent approaches taken lower courts determining ever failure state local governmental entity agents provide individual adequate protective services constitutes violation individual due process rights see archie racine en banc collecting cases cert pending importance issue administration state local governments granted certiorari affirm ii due process clause fourteenth amendment provides state shall deprive person life liberty property without due process law petitioners contend state deprived joshua liberty interest free dom unjustified intrusions personal security see ingraham wright failing provide adequate protection father violence claim one invoking substantive rather procedural component due process clause petitioners claim state denied joshua protection without according appropriate procedural safeguards see morrissey brewer categorically obligated protect circumstances see youngberg romeo nothing language due process clause requires state protect life liberty property citizens invasion private actors clause phrased limitation state power act guarantee certain minimal levels safety security forbids state deprive individuals life liberty property without due process law language fairly extended impose affirmative obligation state ensure interests come harm means history support expansive reading constitutional text like counterpart fifth amendment due process clause fourteenth amendment intended prevent government abusing power employing instrument oppression davidson cannon supra see also daniels williams supra secure individual arbitrary exercise powers government prevent governmental power used purposes oppression internal citations omitted parratt taylor powell concurring result prevent affirmative abuse power purpose protect people state ensure state protected framers content leave extent governmental obligation latter area democratic political processes consistent principles cases recognized due process clauses generally confer affirmative right governmental aid even aid may necessary secure life liberty property interests government may deprive individual see harris mcrae obligation fund abortions medical services discussing due process clause fifth amendment lindsey normet obligation provide adequate housing discussing due process clause fourteenth amendment see also youngberg romeo supra general matter state constitutional duty provide substantive services within border said harris mcrae although liberty protected due process clause affords protection unwarranted government interference confer entitlement governmental aid may necessary realize advantages freedom emphasis added due process clause require state provide citizens particular protective services follows state held liable clause injuries averted chosen provide general matter conclude state failure protect individual private violence simply constitute violation due process clause petitioners contend however even due process clause imposes affirmative obligation state provide general public adequate protective services duty may arise certain special relationships created assumed state respect particular individuals brief petitioners petitioners argue special relationship existed state knew joshua faced special danger abuse father hands specifically proclaimed word deed intention protect danger actually undertaken protect joshua danger petitioners concede state played part creating state acquired affirmative duty enforceable due process clause reasonably competent fashion failure discharge duty argument goes abuse governmental power shocks conscience rochin california constitute substantive due process violation brief petitioners reject argument true certain limited circumstances constitution imposes upon state affirmative duties care protection respect particular individuals estelle gamble recognized eighth amendment prohibition cruel unusual punishment made applicable fourteenth amendment due process clause robinson california requires state provide adequate medical care incarcerated prisoners reasoned prisoner unable reason deprivation liberty care state required care quoting spicer williamson youngberg romeo extended analysis beyond eighth amendment setting holding substantive component fourteenth amendment due process clause requires state provide involuntarily committed mental patients services necessary ensure reasonable safety others see dicta indicating state also obligated provide individuals adequate food shelter clothing medical care explained cruel unusual punishment hold convicted criminals unsafe conditions must unconstitutional due process clause confine involuntarily committed may punished unsafe conditions see also revere massachusetts general hospital holding due process clause requires responsible government governmental agency provide medical care suspects police custody injured apprehended police cases afford petitioners help taken together stand proposition state takes person custody holds constitution imposes upon corresponding duty assume responsibility safety general see youngberg romeo supra person institutionalized wholly dependent state duty provide certain services care exist rationale principle simple enough state affirmative exercise power restrains individual liberty renders unable care time fails provide basic human needs food clothing shelter medical care reasonable safety transgresses substantive limits state action set eighth amendment due process clause see estelle gamble supra youngberg romeo supra affirmative duty protect arises state knowledge individual predicament expressions intent help limitation imposed freedom act behalf see estelle gamble supra inmate must rely prison authorities treat medical needs authorities fail needs met substantive due process analysis state affirmative act restraining individual freedom act behalf incarceration institutionalization similar restraint personal liberty deprivation liberty triggering protections due process clause failure act protect liberty interests harms inflicted means analysis simply applicability present case petitioners concede harms joshua suffered occurred state custody custody natural father sense state actor state may aware dangers joshua faced free world played part creation anything render vulnerable state took temporary custody joshua alter analysis returned father custody placed worse position acted state become permanent guarantor individual safety offered shelter circumstances state constitutional duty protect joshua may well voluntarily undertaking protect joshua danger concededly played part creating state acquired duty state tort law provide adequate protection danger see restatement second torts one undertakes render services another may circumstances held liable negligent fashion see generally keeton dobbs keeton owen prosser keeton law torts ed discussing special relationships may give rise affirmative duties act common law tort claim based due process clause fourteenth amendment said many times transform every tort committed state actor constitutional violation see daniels williams parratt taylor martinez california baker mccollan paul davis state may courts legislatures impose affirmative duties care protection upon agents wishes duties owed government actors constitutionalized fourteenth amendment daniels williams supra explained state constitutional duty protect joshua father violence failure though calamitous hindsight simply constitute violation due process clause judges lawyers like humans moved natural sympathy case like find way joshua mother receive adequate compensation grievous harm inflicted upon yielding impulse well remember harm inflicted state wisconsin joshua father said state functionaries case stood nothing suspicious circumstances dictated active role defense must also said moved soon take custody son away father likely met charges improperly intruding relationship charges based due process clause forms basis present charge failure provide adequate protection people wisconsin may well prefer system liability place upon state officials responsibility failure act situations present one may create system already changing tort law state accordance regular lawmaking process thrust upon expansion due process clause fourteenth amendment affirmed footnotes petitioners also argue wisconsin child protection statutes gave joshua entitlement receive protective services accordance terms statute entitlement enjoy due process protection state deprivation decision board regents state colleges roth brief petitioners argument made first time petitioners brief pleaded complaint argued appeals ground reversing district raised petition certiorari therefore decline consider see youngberg romeo dothard rawlinson duignan old jordan mining milling societe anonyme des mines state may course selectively deny protective services certain disfavored minorities without violating equal protection clause see yick wo hopkins argument made genesis notion appears lie statement opinion martinez california case asked decide inter alia whether state officials held liable due process clause fourteenth amendment death private citizen hands parolee rather squarely confronting question presented whether due process clause imposed upon state affirmative duty protect affirmed dismissal claim narrower ground causal connection state officials decision release parolee prison murder attenuated establish deprivation constitutional rights within meaning went say parole board aware appellants decedent distinguished public large faced special danger need decide parole officer never deemed deprive someone life action taken connection release prisoner parole hold least particular circumstances parole decision appellants decedent death remote consequence parole officers action hold responsible federal civil rights law omitted make eighth amendment claim based failure provide adequate medical care prisoner must show state defendants exhibited deliberate indifference serious medical needs mere negligent inadvertent failure provide adequate care enough estelle gamble whitley albers suggested similar state mind required make substantive due process claim prison setting eighth amendment applies state complied constitutional guarantees traditionally associated criminal prosecutions state acquire power punish eighth amendment concerned secured formal adjudication guilt accordance due process law ingraham wright see also revere massachusetts general hospital bell wolfish even situation recognized state considerable discretion determining nature scope responsibilities youngberg romeo course protections due process clause substantive procedural may triggered state affirmative acts agents subjects involuntarily confined individual deprivations liberty among generally authorized confinement see whitley albers supra shooting inmate youngberg romeo supra shackling involuntarily committed mental patient hughes rowe removing inmate general prison population confining administrative segregation vitek jones transferring inmate mental health facility complaint app relevant times march date final beating joshua deshaney custody control defendant randy deshaney state affirmative exercise power removed joshua free society placed foster home operated agents might situation sufficiently analogous incarceration institutionalization give rise affirmative duty protect indeed several courts appeals held analogy estelle youngberg state may held liable due process clause failing protect children foster homes mistreatment hands foster parents see doe new york city dept social services remand cert denied sub nom catholic home bureau doe taylor ex rel walker ledbetter en banc cert pending ledbetter taylor express view validity analogy however us present case conclude due process clause require state protect joshua father need address respondents alternative argument individual state actors lacked requisite state mind make due process violation see daniels williams similarly occasion consider whether individual respondents might entitled qualified immunity defense see anderson creighton whether allegations complaint sufficient support claim county dss monell new york city dept social services progeny justice brennan justice marshall justice blackmun join dissenting said state functionaries case today concludes stood nothing suspicious circumstances dictated active role ante page believe description respondents conduct tells part story accordingly constitution dictated active role respondents circumstances presented agree respondents constitutional duty help joshua deshaney quibble dicta point perspective substantive ramifications constitutional setting distinguishes sharply action inaction one characterization misconduct alleged may effectively decide case thus leading discussion rejection idea constitution imposes affirmative duty take basic care citizens foreshadows perhaps even preordains conclusion duty existed even specific facts us initial discussion establishes baseline assesses deshaneys claim state word deed ante announced intention protect certain class citizens facts trigger protection applicable state law constitution imposes upon state affirmative duty protection baseline absence positive rights constitution concomitant suspicion claim seems depend rights perspective deshaneys claim first foremost inaction failure respondents take steps protect joshua tangentially action establishment state program specifically designed help children like joshua perspective holding wisconsin officials liable difference case one involving general claim protective services wisconsin establishment operation program protect children seem punish effort seek promote begin opposite direction focus first action wisconsin taken respect joshua children like rather actions state failed take method new estelle gamble youngberg romeo began emphasizing confined gamble prison nicholas romeo psychiatric hospital initial action rendered people helpless help seek help persons unconnected government see estelle supra public required care prisoner reason deprivation liberty care youngberg supra person institutionalized wholly dependent state conceded petitioners duty provide certain services care exist cases lower courts also recognize state actions decisive assessing constitutional significance subsequent inaction purposes moreover actual physical restraint state action considered relevant see white rochford police officers violated due process arresting guardian three young children abandoned children busy stretch highway night initial fixation general principle constitution establish positive rights unable appreciate recognition estelle youngberg principle hold true circumstances thus view youngberg explained dismissed following way substantive due process analysis state affirmative act restraining individual freedom act behalf incarceration institutionalization similar restraint personal liberty deprivation liberty triggering protections due process clause failure act protect liberty interests harms inflicted means ante restatement youngberg holding come surprise one recalls explicit observation case romeo challenge commitment hospital instead argue ha constitutionally protected liberty interest safety freedom movement training within institution petitioners infringed rights failing provide constitutionally required conditions confinement emphasis added mean suggest state affirmative act restraining individual freedom act behalf ante irrelevant youngberg rather emphasize conduct led injury consequently cause action unless state failed take steps protect romeo others addition exclusive attention restraints individual freedom act behalf ante suggests state rendered romeo unable care whereas fact mental capacity child quite incapable taking care long state stepped life thus fact hospitalization critical youngberg rendered romeo helpless help separated sources aid held state obligated replace unlike therefore unable see youngberg neat decisive divide action inaction moreover fact seems count affirmative act restraining individual freedom act behalf direct physical control ante listing incarceration institutionalization similar restraint personal liberty describing relevant affirmative acts however give youngberg estelle stingy scope recognize apparently state knowledge individual predicament expressions intent help amount limitation freedom act behalf obtain help others ante thus read youngberg estelle stand much generous proposition state cuts private sources aid refuses aid wash hands harm results inaction youngberg estelle alone sounding theme striking filing fee applied divorce cases brought indigents see boddie connecticut deciding local government entirely foreclose opportunity speak public forum see schneider state hague committee industrial organization grace acknowledged state actions monopolization particular path relief may impose upon state certain positive duties similarly shelley kraemer burton wilmington parking authority suggest state may found complicit injury even create situation caused harm arising constitutional contexts different one involved cases like boddie burton instructive rather decisive case us set tone equally well established precedent contradictory one sets situating deshaneys complaint within class cases epitomized decision harris mcrae cases cited tell us goldberg kelly recognizing entitlement welfare state law stand side side dandridge williams implicitly rejecting idea welfare fundamental right goss lopez entitlement public education state law perfectly consistent san antonio independent school dist rodriguez fundamental right education put point directly cases signal state prior actions may decisive analyzing constitutional significance inaction thus locate deshaneys claims within framework cases like youngberg estelle generally boddie schneider considering actions wisconsin took respect joshua wisconsin established system specifically designed help children like joshua wisconsin law places upon local departments social services respondent dss department duty investigate reported instances child abuse see stat governmental bodies private persons largely responsible reporting possible cases child abuse see wisconsin law channels reports local departments social services evaluation necessary action even sheriff office police department receives report suspected child abuse report referred local social services departments action see exception occurs reporter fears child immediate safety way wisconsin law invites indeed directs citizens governmental entities depend local departments social services respondent protect children abuse specific facts us bear view wisconsin system protecting children time someone voiced suspicion joshua abused information relayed department investigation possible action randy deshaney second wife told police hit boy causing marks prime case child abuse police referred complaint dss ante three separate occasions emergency room personnel noticed suspicious injuries joshua body went dss information ante neighbors informed police seen heard joshua father father lover beating otherwise abusing joshua police brought reports attention dss app respondent kemmeter reports observations course nearly visits deshaney home compiled growing evidence joshua abused information stayed within department chronicled social worker detail seems almost eerie light failure act upon extent social worker involvement knowledge joshua predicament reaction news joshua last devastating injuries illuminating knew phone ring day joshua dead even telling examples department control decision whether take steps protect particular child suspected abuse many different people contributed information advice decision people dss make ultimate decision subject approval local government corporation counsel whether disturb family current arrangements app joshua first appeared local hospital injuries signaling physical abuse example dss made decision take temporary custody purpose studying situation dss acting conjunction corporation counsel returned father ante unfortunately joshua deshaney buck effectively stopped department circumstances private citizen even person working government agency dss doubtless feel job done soon reported suspicions child abuse dss program words state wisconsin relieved ordinary citizens governmental bodies department sense obligation anything report suspicions child abuse dss dss ignores dismisses suspicions one step fill gap wisconsin program thus effectively confined joshua deshaney within walls randy deshaney violent home time dss took action remove conceivably children like joshua made worse existence program persons entities charged carrying fail jobs simply belies reality therefore contend state stood nothing respect joshua ante program state actively intervened joshua life virtue intervention acquired ever certain knowledge joshua grave danger circumstances view plant case solidly within tradition cases like youngberg estelle meager comfort joshua mother know state selectively den ied protective services disfavored minorities ante suit might stood sturdier ground posture case know respondents take steps protect joshua however tells us reason irrelevant long inaction product invidious discrimination presumably respondents decided help joshua name began born spring care enough even formulate intent discriminate based arbitrary reason respondents liable deshaneys ones dealt blows destroyed joshua life suggest irrationality work case emphasize know whether allow joshua mother opportunity show respondents failure help arose sound exercise professional judgment recognized youngberg sufficient preclude liability see kind arbitrariness past condemned see daniels williams purpose due process clause secure individual arbitrary exercise powers government citations omitted west coast hotel parrish sustain state action need decide arbitrary capricious euclid ambler realty state action invalid passes bounds reason assumes character merely arbitrary fiat quoting purity extract tonic lynch youngberg deference decisionmaker professional judgment ensures caseworker decided basis professional training experience one course protection preferable given child even special protection required found liable harm follows way youngberg vision substantive due process serves purpose similar served adherence procedural norms namely requiring state actor stop think acts way may lead loss liberty moreover due process clause violated merely negligent conduct see daniels supra davidson cannon means social worker simply makes mistake judgment admittedly complex difficult conditions find liable damages today reminds us due process clause fourteenth amendment intended prevent government abusing power employing instrument oppression ante quoting davidson supra disagreement arises failure see inaction every bit abusive power action oppression result state undertakes vital duty ignores today opinion construes due process clause permit state displace private sources protection critical moment shrug shoulders turn away harm promised try prevent agree constitution indifferent indifference respectfully dissent justice blackmun dissenting today purports dispassionate oracle law unmoved natural sympathy ante pretense retreats sterile formalism prevents recognizing either facts case legal norms apply facts justice brennan demonstrates facts involve mere passivity active state intervention life joshua deshaney intervention triggered fundamental duty aid boy state learned severe danger exposed fails recognize duty attempts draw sharp rigid line action inaction formalistic reasoning place interpretation broad stirring clauses fourteenth amendment indeed submit clauses designed least part undo formalistic legal reasoning infected antebellum jurisprudence late professor robert cover analyzed effectively significant work entitled justice accused like antebellum judges denied relief fugitive slaves see today claims decision however harsh compelled existing legal doctrine contrary question presented case open one fourteenth amendment precedents may read broadly narrowly depending upon one chooses read faced choice adopt sympathetic reading one comports dictates fundamental justice recognizes compassion need exiled province judging cf stone law psychiatry morality make mistakes go forward nothing worst mistake required us moral ambition composite sketch becomes true portrait humanity must live uncertainty grope struggle compassion may guide comfort poor joshua victim repeated attacks irresponsible bullying cowardly intemperate father abandoned respondents placed dangerous predicament knew learned going yet essentially nothing except revealingly observes ante dutifully recorded incidents files sad commentary upon american life constitutional principles full late patriotic fervor proud proclamations liberty justice child joshua deshaney assigned live remainder life profoundly retarded joshua mother petitioners deserve denied opportunity facts case considered light constitutional protection meant provide