It's difficult to tell what was going on in New York from the report. Looking at the related items on Google News, Devon24 seem to have had it first, but it's been picked up by Metro and by a paper in Adelaide. With no adult to look after the girls other than their mother, I can see why the authorities acted as they did, if lacking in imagination. I read in one of the reports that there are now proceedings against the mother, by New York, for neglect; I could see how that could be construed, but it's not really worth anyone's time now.