Appeals court blocks $100,000 daily fine for Texas’ troubled foster care program

U.S. District Judge Janis Jack administers the U.S. oath of citizenship to more than 100 area residents representing 25 countries in 2008 aboard the USS Lexington. Graham Jack was the first woman federal judge to serve in Texas south of San Antonio. July 5, 2008 (Credit: Courtesy of Todd Yates/Corpus Christi Caller-Times)

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A federal appeals court on Wednesday temporarily halted a $100,000-per-day contempt fine slapped on a Texas health and human services official earlier this week for her agency's routine neglect of investigations into allegations of abuse and neglect by children in the state’s beleaguered foster care system.