Submitted by Anonymous

My name is ****** ****** of Mt Vernon. After being unable to reach my son by telephone I searched the internet to find my ex wife. She’d moved to Pennsylvania and placed my son into a residential treatment facility Hoffman Homes in Gettysburgh , PA , without my knowledge. She refused to provide me any further information. I contacted the facility and spoke to a case worker Ms. Barnes and set up a visit. She informed me my son was being medicated with Risperidal. I checked the drug on the internet to find out what it was for and what the side effects might be for an 8 year old. To my surprise the drug hadn’t been approved for children and cause sterility. When I got there I saw he didn’t look well. His face was swollen and he had a lost look on his face. He was glad to see me.

The counselors gave me a tour to assure me my son was in good care. They were also very vague as to why he was there. I asked them why they would have my son taking a drug that isn’t approved for children and causes sterility. They told me my son had been diagnosed Bipolar and ADHD. I filed for custody immediately.

I received custody of my son March 11, 2005.

On April 12 2005, due to an incident at school caused a CPS investigation. Case worker Nina Nelson/WCDSS came to my home with blank disclosure forms for me to sign. I refused. She advised me to have my son evaluated at Mt. Vernon Hospital . I cooperated being I wanted to help my son get the care he needed. At the hospital while I was registering my son Ms. Nelson was speaking with a nurse, the same nurse checked my son’s vitals. We were escorted to a small room in the back. After almost three hours my fiancé went to get us all dinner. We ate and waited a few more hours. I asked Dr. Bartow (the one who blew himself up) if he knew how it would be before my son could be evaluated. He told me “We have a bed for him” I asked him how could he have a bed for him without an evaluation? He called the police on me. The police that were sent were threatening and used vulgar language. My fiancé called 911 to request a sergeant come to the hospital. She called three times and was told “The police are already there.” Finally a Dr. E. Walsh came and evaluated my son. He rectified the whole situation and sent us home. This traumatic event was not over. I received a call from Susan Berger and Terry Richard both of CPS. They requested that I apply for welfare to get “services” for my son. I asked them about the legalities on page 14 of the Welfare intake form which is needed to apply for services. They were unable to answer my questions. I went to DSS to ask them about the application. They called the police on me and had me BANNED from the building by Iris Jenkins/Associate Commissioner of Social Services.

In September 2006 I was charged by CPS with medical neglect because I hadn’t applied for Welfare. On October 5, 2006 in front Judge Cooney I was offered to sign a voluntary placement form in order to have the medical neglect charges dropped and my son would not have to take medication. I agreed to a 48 placement at Four Winds. My visits were denied. I was called for a meeting 10/29/05. Two pieces of paper were thrown across the table by Terry Richardson/WCDSS who told me “You are indicated for medical neglect. After four months of denied visits, my son was transferred to Pleasantville Cottage, Pleasantville , NY. I was denied visits for another two months.

In the past three years I’ve gone to:

Legal Aide, they told me I have to be on Welfare

Student Advocacy....unable to help.

Family Ties of Westchester ....Useless

Urban League....another welfare program

NAACP Legal Defense....can't help unless incarcerated or on death row

County Executive Andrew Spano....ignored

DA Dafoe’s office.....unable to help

Brenda Smith/Mt Vernon School Superintendent (at the time).....useless