 The court ruled 6–3 to uphold the appeals court's grant of summary judgment.The DSS's actions were found not to constitute a violation of Joshua DeShaney's due process rights.The court opinion, by Chief Justice William Rehnquist, held that the due process clause protects against state action only, and as it was Randy DeShaney who abused Joshua, a state actor (the Winnebago County Department of Social Services) was not responsible.