Judge dismisses Hatch lawsuit against state

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ A federal judge on Thursday dismissed the lawsuit ``Survivor'' winner Richard Hatch filed against state child welfare authorities over a claim he abused his son. <br><br>The

Thursday, March 1st 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ A federal judge on Thursday dismissed the lawsuit ``Survivor'' winner Richard Hatch filed against state child welfare authorities over a claim he abused his son.

The judge said Hatch presented insufficient evidence to support his allegation that the Department of Children, Youth and Families violated his rights and damaged his relationship with his son by removing the boy from his home.

Hatch had just returned from filming the CBS-TV show last April when his 10-year-old son claimed his father grabbed him by the neck when he tired on a run.

The corporate trainer from Middletown was charged with second-degree child abuse and the state removed the boy from Hatch's home for about a month. The charge was later dropped.

Hatch was not in court and could not immediately be reached for comment.