Legally Kidnapped

Shattering Your Child Welfare Delusions Since 2007


Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Attn. World: 20% Off on Minorities!!!!

Consulting Package Discounts! :)

Anybody want a kid?

Londonderry man 'threatened to kill social worker'

Londonderry man 'threatened to kill social worker'

A Londonderry man has denied threatening to kill a social worker he allegedly blamed for creating problems in his relationship.

John McGinley, 39, from Bloomfield Park, is accused of making the threat to an individual who was checking his domestic arrangements.

Tribute for Daniel



We love you, always thinking of you. Still fighting for you! xoxoxo

Foster Care System Failing To Protect Those Who Need It The Most

Foster Care System Failing To Protect Those Who Need It The Most

United States, there are more than 500,000 children living in foster care. Foster care is the temporary placement of children because of abuse, neglect, family problems, or dependency.

A child may be placed because their home is no longer safe, their parents or guardians are no longer able to provide proper care, or the child no longer has a parent or guardian to care for them. The primary goal of foster care is to return the child to its home, if possible.

Note: Some of these kids have been stolen from their parents too. But the article doesn't tell you that.

Former Ark. DHS supervisor accused of raping subordinate, coercing foster child into sex

Former Ark. DHS supervisor accused of raping subordinate, coercing foster child into sex

A former Department of Human Services employee has been charged with raping a female subordinate and sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl whose case he oversaw.

Ex-StatsCan chief to lead Ontario’s welfare reform

Ex-StatsCan chief to lead Ontario’s welfare reform

Ontario’s much-anticipated welfare reforms will be led by the former Statistics Canada chief who quit in disgust after Ottawa scrapped the long-form census, the Star has learned.

Monday, November 29, 2010

More teens getting dangerous prescriptions

More teens getting dangerous prescriptions

The chance that a teenager or young adult will receive a prescription for a controlled medication has nearly doubled in the last 15 years in the U.S., according to a new report.

Sentencing delayed for former CPS worker

Sentencing delayed for former CPS worker

Sentencing of former Yuba County employee Yolanda Fryson was delayed today until Dec. 15 because the judge who presided over the three-week trial is ill.

EXCLUSIVE DETAILS: Gary Shirley's Tears As Teen Mom Amber Portwood Reunited With Daughter

EXCLUSIVE DETAILS: Gary Shirley's Tears As Teen Mom Amber Portwood Reunited With Daughter

After having her two-year-old daughter temporarily taken away from her last week, Teen Mom star Amber Portwood cleaned up her home and on Monday was reunited with her daughter Leah, RadarOnline.com has learned.

Review looks at 7,000 child protection cases in Kent

Review looks at 7,000 child protection cases in Kent

An urgent review of 7,000 cases has been launched after Kent County Council's (KCC) child protection services were found to be inadequate.

KCC apologised on 19 November after Ofsted published a report which found cause for concern over most services intended to protect children.

New `Underwear Rule' to stop child abuse

New `Underwear Rule' to stop child abuse

The Council of Europe has launched a new Underwear Rule campaign to help combat sexual violence against children and improve international cooperation on prosecuting offenders.

The Underwear Rule, aimed at teaching children aged four to seven about their rights to set limits and speak out against abuse, is being promoted through a TV spot, a children's book, poster campaigns and a website.

Government procedure rubs me the wrong way

Government procedure rubs me the wrong way

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has recently implemented new pat-down procedures through the Transportation Security Administration. TSA’s airport security attempts to ensure that travelers do not bring contraband items on the airplane. I was fine with the new procedure until I heard that the TSA is now authorized to frisk in more regions.

Bonds of adoption loosen under strain of a child's mental illness

Bonds of adoption loosen under strain of a child's mental illness

In March 2006, Christa Kelley drove to Joshua House in Lutz to pick up a young relative, a red-headed girl who was 8.

Note: Ah yes... Dreams of forever homes....

B.C. children's watchdog slams government

B.C. children's watchdog slams government

B.C.'s children's watchdog has issued another scathing report on the province's child welfare system and its progress reforming its operations, on Monday morning in Victoria.

CPS Corruption, Our Motivation



All we want is for him to come home! We haven't seen Daniel since October 2009. Our Children here at home still ask why he can't come home... www.cpswhirlwind.spruz.com

CPS: Types of Hearings

CPS: Types of Hearings

The child has been removed from your home and you’re in a panic. Remember to request an attorney of both CPS (child protective services) and the court. Even if you cannot afford an attorney, the court is required to provide one for you in cases involving the removal of a child after an investigation by child protective services.

Paul Fitzsimons, Dept. of Children and Families' Perspective - Re-Envisioning Foster Care

A System Suck Speaks.



November 15th, 2010: Re-Envisioning Foster Care Conference, Holyoke, MA.

Department of Children and Families Western Regional Director Paul Fitzsimons.

Fostering Media Connections is a media-driven, grass roots initiative to speed the implementation of sweeping federal foster care reform and change the common narrative of the foster care system.

Marin Voice: Adoption is not a line for a gag

Marin Voice: Adoption is not a line for a gag

PICTURE the scene: You're at home watching Kung Fu Panda on the FX Channel with a group of teenagers, when a commercial comes on for Sony's Playstation 3.

Submitted by Harold

I had a violent wife whom attacked me regularly, I told this to a policeman and explained my wife was a neglectful mother and I worried about the safety of our infant son, the Utah policeman told me I was the father I had to do something about it. (I thought that was the purpose of telling a policeman) Things continued wife would blow up at me.  The same day she had our 2 year old son in the living room with his diaper off and she was saying tling tling tling and brushing his penis back and forth until he was hard, I was furious and said she better not do that again, she replied that she was the mother and hse could do what she wanted. My brother came over the next day and observed her doing the same thing. We talked about that when I got home from work and basically to make a long story short she decided to leave,

She had lost her bank card to our account, so I let her use mine to get a plane ticket to her family in new york, we agreed that we were divorcing and that she would give me a address once she gets to her family. I told her I didnt want her to leave the state with our son, she said I couldnt stop her and she was leaving if she had to walk. So I stepped aside knowing I couldnt stop her and no one seemed interested in helping me with it.

She then flew to New York I think and when she never called and explained that I have filed for divorce and I was fighting for visitation with our son. She replied in spanish which translates a little different in english, "you will not ever see my son and you or he will die before I let you" Well I asked my attorney for a protection order cause in Illinois you cant get one from the police. My attorney said that I will never be able to convince a atoorney that you are affraid of a woman. I showed my knife wound on my arm from her but that didnt seem to get me anywhere.

She refused any contact or where our son was. In illinois after 15 days it is parental kidnapping to hide a child from the other parent. I filed a police report and the cop said there was no law and I showed him and he got very angry and let me file a report which he refused to pass it up the chain. my attorney went around the police and talked with the states attorney who refused to do anything unless a state policeman did something, and of course this is a full circle. I tried to report my wife to the child protective service and they wouldnt even take a report because I have no address for her.

I filed for publication divorce which she wont show. so I will get but because of the stigma of a mother is the best parent it will be hard. I was the primary caretaker before she left as well. I then have spoken with her in email where she refused or gave me a address that is not valid after 3 months, she offered me visitation if I give her 3000 bucks and child support, I agreed so I could see him and once I agreed she said I could only have visitation if I sign over custody or parental rights. Which I said no, She had made threats to talk our son out of the country everytime she couldnt have something she wanted for about a year and I asked for our sons passport until court was over and she refused, you can not even get the government to cancel the passport if you dont have the child with you. But thats my short version of the story, through all this the Salem illinois police refused to even worry about my wife selling drugs, assaulting me our our child and abducting him to another state to hide him. They try to confort you as if you are hurt by my wife leaving. I couldnt believe the lack of worrying about a child in a dangerous situation because he is with the abusive mother he must be ok. And because I am only the father I am nothing to the child.

Submitted by Michael (From Lukes Army)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Give-Kristy-Her-Kids-Back-Maddie-Needs-Her-Official-Petition/172422176119777?v=wall

Little Maddie is two years old on Sunday. DoCS is turning her life support off on Monday without the parent's consent.Maddison is in a critical condition in Randwick childrens hospital after her FATHER stabbed her through the head and put her to bed to die!

!DoCS have given no reason why they have removed the other two children from their mother. DoCS have now reduced visiting time with her critically ill daughter. How can this benefit the child and mother. The two other children have been placed in foster care. The mother did not place this child with their father. The grandfather did against the mother’s wishes.

I have made it my life to expose this, and as much as I see it again and again everyday, and so do all of us CPS activists, there is never any sense behind it. An extremely sick little girl wants her mummy, so what sort of a cruel, heartless, callous witch would cut down visiting hours with the child and her mother. Only a child safety officer. They have no regard for anyone’s feelings. They dish out the justice via the children.

Extreme power. How does it feel to stop a little girl from seeing her mum in hospital. How do these people sleep at night. They can sleep because after you have wrecked the first thousand families it's nothing.D.O.C.S have taken all 3 of Kristy's children for something that WAS NOT Kristy's fault!! Please help us make sure justice is served!

My story is at http://lukesarmy.com

Regards Michael Borusiewic


I am a CPS activist from Australia, since my two year old son died in foster care. The following has just occurred on facebook, the best networking tool of the CPS campaigner.

This story has many similarities to my son's circumstances as he lay in hospital for a week before they turned the machines off and he died in my arms.

I was contacted by someone on facebook, I am becoming known as a CPS activist and someone to turn to for help.

Her friends baby had been stabbed by the father. Tragically the one year old baby girl is still in hospital in a critical condition and the father is in jail. The little girl, Maddison Morgan, will turn two next Sunday, if she lives that long.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/man-charged-with-attempted-murder-of-toddler/2002422.aspx

The two other siblings were removed from Krysty, the mother, after the stabbing by CPS. They also took away the mother's right to decide if the child should be left on life support or not.

CPS even cut back the mother's visiting hours, even though the child has possibly only days left to live. These is the typically cruel, callous and heartless behaviour we have come to expect from these dispicable creatures.

I went to work for this family. The child was stabbed six days ago, they contacted me four days ago. I have since sent out over four thousand emails, posted on about 200 news and CPS sites.

The page on facebook

http://www.facebook.com/MichaelLukesArmy#!/pages/Give-Kristy-Her-Kids-Back-Maddie-Needs-Her-Official-Petition/172422176119777?v=wall

has well over 2000 members at present, and they have made me an administrator. I suggested they plan a protest. This looks like it will eventuate.

This facebook page which acts as a forum is the most public display of dissent against the CPS I have ever witnessed. 2000 people all protesting against CPS and supporting the mother.

My campaigning news sites paid off today also, with the families story having showed up on two news sites so far.

http://www.news.com.au/national/girl-fights-for-life-after-dads-alleged-stab-attack/story-e6frfkvr-1225962445781


In the news article the Minister for CPS certainly has changed her tune. The following link is my comment on the behaviour of the Child Protection Officers towards this mother who is experiencing the most heartbreaking tragedies a parent can ever endure.

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=164293530275296

We all pray for Madison Morgan to have the strength to survive this fight for her life, and to live out her days in happiness and joy with the loving kindness waiting to be lavished upon her by her mother.

Submitted by Kellie

I myself was on the wrong end of a witch hunt. I had my speical needs cousins removed from my care by cps why because the nicholas county school and the mom of the twins went after me now keep in mind that cps gave me the kids in the first place but that was in a diff county in ky. I never had a fair chance they came and took them in feb. of this year because lets see the girl had cut her hair so bad I had to do a buzz cut on it but oh yeah I forgot to take pics of it for proof who thinks of that. oh and the school said the kids came to school with a foul smell lets see clean clothes and baths everynight i dont think so, the school said the kids came to school with flea bites because we had dogs ( yes we had dogs but our dogs did not have anymore fleas then most) and we got a new caseworker because kim denkins as she put it could not do this anymore and my court lawyer was a joke he never once wanted to get the list of people that could back me up! I never had a shot of getting the kids back I knew when when they took them But they said the whole goal was to give them back my case worker was at my house once in 5 months he was to do once a month vists so how is that working to put the family back together? Its not but let me also say that the only took the boy because they were twins no other reason and they left the other two kids in the home so as you can see cps is really a joke in most cases and in nicholas county they tend to make the rules as they go along not based on what is right or the fact that I had these kids for two and half years before all this started and not one complant besides the girl getting in trouble at school but the school said this never happened and would not allow the past teachers to speak up.

So as a word to the wise keep track of CPS for your kids own safety.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Lawsuit against Deval Patrick, Health and Human Services secretary, Department of Children and Families commissioner takes aim at foster care system

Lawsuit against Deval Patrick, Health and Human Services secretary, Department of Children and Families commissioner takes aim at foster care system

The state’s foster care system is a wrenching cycle of neglect, abuse and mismanagement for many children, according to a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court.

Note: Oh! That's gonna hurt the old budget!

Rod Stewart 'regrets' giving daughter up for adoption

Rod Stewart 'regrets' giving daughter up for adoption

Rod Stewart still harbors regret over his decision to give his firstborn child up for adoption, but he's convinced he would have failed to provide her with a "halfway decent" life.

Heartbreak: Foster parents again suffer sudden loss

Heartbreak: Foster parents again suffer sudden loss

The decision to open their home — and their hearts — to another child didn’t come easily to Keith and Debbie Addis.

Rampant homelessness in former foster children yet to be addressed

Rampant homelessness in former foster children yet to be addressed

Steven Navarrette was nearly 18 when he became homeless.

The now-20-year-old was a foster child who had no one to turn to after being forced out of the child welfare system.

Orphans Used by CPS + Catholic Services in Drug Experiments 1/2 - Guinea Pig Kids, New York



BBC Documentary 'Guinea Pig Kids'. The House That AIDS Built.

POLICE STATE 2010: CPS Snatches Child For Image On Facebook

WILLOW PALIN PREGNANCY SHOCKER

WILLOW PALIN PREGNANCY SHOCKER

SARAH PALIN has ANOTHER teen pregnancy scandal on her hands - and this time it's BRISTOL''s younger sister WILLOW!

Note: I don't know if this is true or not, considering the source. So don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger.

This is the first I've seen of it. But I'm sure we'll soon find out.

State agency seeks change after abuse case

State agency seeks change after abuse case

Most of the 26 investigations the state Department of Human Services has launched under Oregon's six-year-old Critical Incident Response Team, or CIRT, mandate have targeted cases where children died or were severely injured in the hands of their biological parents.

Cities question DHS child care licensing process

Cities question DHS child care licensing process

The state Department of Human Services has issued licenses to more than 230 home child care operators without requiring them to obtain city permits or letting the cities know that the licenses have been granted, an investigation by The Oklahoman has determined.

Special TSA Wants To See You Naked Edition - Baby LK Report for November 28th 2010



The Baby LK Report for November 28th, 2010. Special TSA Wants To See You Naked Edition.

For these stories and all the latest dirt on the Child Protective Industry visit Legally Kidnapped at http://www.LegallyKidnapped.blogspot.com

This Week:

Amber Portwood looses custody.

A School Headmistress bans the taking of pictures of a school play.

The TSA wants to see you naked...

And much much more.

Is media protective of our state, our courts and child protection service?

Is media protective of our state, our courts and child protection service?

Nicholas Braman was murdered by his father after Child Protective Service failed to protect the boy. CPS had been involved in the case and had removed the two older siblings in the family from the father, but left the youngest boy Nicholas with his father.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Forced adoptions get no sympathy from the ministry

Forced adoptions get no sympathy from the ministry

While loving families are torn apart, Whitehall insists the system is working fine, says Christopher Booker

Waxahachie's Kathy Sandoval vs. Child Protective Services



Waxahachie resident Kathy Sandoval, 22, fights continued harassment against Ellis County CPS and the Waxahachie Police Department.

Younger schoolchildren more likely to be falsely diagnosed with ADHD

Younger schoolchildren more likely to be falsely diagnosed with ADHD

Children born during the summer are more likely to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than children born later in the school year, according to a study conducted by researchers from North Carolina State University and published in the Journal of Health Economics.

Submitted by Anonymous # 2

My son died at a foster home. He committed suicide. The cps and social workers told many lies about me. My son was going to be released in Feb. from foster care he was very happy and excited about that, he was looking forward to coming home. they said he had talked about suicide for over a year and that the day he killed his self he had a rope and told what he was going to do, yet the foster parents did nothing to get him help they didn’t even take the rope from him he also was abused by foster parents, he got ran over by a car 4 years cause he tried to run away from a foster home and he ran in front of a car, then he supposedly fell out of a tree and had surgery then the social workers lied to us, they said he got hurt at school and they said he had surgery on his groin, then someone else said he had surgery on his head. They lied to us the day he died. first they said he was missing for a long time, then they said he was only gone a few minutes and they first told us he died Saturday then they said he died Sunday they took my children because one of my sons that is mentally retarded told them i spanked him well news flash its not abuse to spank a child and they don’t know the situation why he got spankings also when they came to take my children i was at my parents house, they said the house was not good enough i was only staying there a couple weeks then move i was there cause my ex husband wouldn’t leave us alone he came to my house drunk and high on drugs yet cps still allows him contact with my kids even though his rights have been terminated no one ever bothered to ask my kids what kind of mother i am i love my kids more than anything I would die for them. How can they let kids die? They don’t know the feeling of losing a child; they don’t care long as they keep getting a paycheck. How many lives have they destroyed?

Subbmitted by Anonymous

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsecjAlQhQM

children who are Direct Descendants of Stephine F Austin speak out against Texas CPS at DC rally for Abolish CPS and Family preservation.

read story at http://www.fighttexascps.com/

Submitted by THEJKH1999

I found a case from Court of Appeals division II, they listened to argument and posted the recording up on the internet, so far I don't think they have made a ruling but the case is VERY interesting. The cliff notes are that 3 kids made allegations of sexual abuse from their mother. The DSHS investigated and found that they were bogus charges, they also found that other people may have been influencing the kids so instead of the courts dismissing the case they order the mother to get a psycho sexual poly graph test!! she is refusing to take this test and defense says that the test is unjustified, it is requiring the mother to take a poly test to create evidence for the DSHS since they have none as it is now!! I only have the recording the courts posted online, I haven't found the transcript online but its very interesting to here the court of appeals judges really rip into the DSHS on this one! I bet I know how this is going to end. The judge accurately said that if they were allowed to force a poly test on individuals when would the courts NOT use it? and that even the judge has NEVER seen a test come back stating the incident didn't happen, the only results she has ever seen come back are "defendant refused to answer, we suggest serious treatment", "defendant looks as though they are guilty" or "test inconclusive, need more test to show defendant guilty"! there is a lot I don't like in this case, I sure hope the courts do the right thing and uphold our 5th amendment and refuse to allow DSHS to order these test's in a evidence finding hunt!

I think I am linking this correctly, if not it is under the WA courts website, at home page it has appeals courts and if you go to docket under division ii it is under November 22, click on listen and it is the case on the bottom,
401576 - In re DC-M

here is a link to the audio, it has to download and for me it loads in media player. http://www.courts.wa.gov/content/OralArgAudio/a02/20101122/401576%20-%20In%20re%20DC-M.mp3

PETER JOSEPH MEROLA and his PROPAGANDIZED BS about his OWN TIES to the UNITED NATIONS THEOSOPHY

Top judge says mothers should have children taken away if they don't let fathers see them

Top judge says mothers should have children taken away if they don't let fathers see them

Mothers who refuse to let separated fathers see their children should have them taken away, a senior family court judge said yesterday.

How To Beat The CPS, Rescuing Your Kidnapped Child

How To Gather Information On Your Caseworker



I have uncovered 2 methods of winning CPS cases.

# 1 is what I call the Ass Kissing method. This is where the parent does what CPS wants them to do. Then the nice social worker gives the kids back.

# 2 When the last worker came to my door, back in 2003, she sat in my house in fear of her life for 2 hours. That case holds the state record for the quickest investigation in the history of CPS.

If you're not going to use the ass kissing method, you need to be extremely aggressive and pro-active, you need to find creative ways of getting them to comply with your demands. . I don't mean making videos and websites. I mean using the workers name everywhere. I called and complained to my state legislature, I called the governors office. I called the police, I called and complained to the receptionist at the CPS office. I went to the CPS office and made a scene, using the workers name, calling her a liar, etc in front of 50 people, in the nicest and non threatening tone of voice you ever heard. I played the victim all the way.

Parents strive to get clean for their kids

Parents strive to get clean for their kids

"Ukiah man gets his kids back."

A cheerful day in Drug Court

A cheerful day in Drug Court

This is part two of a four-part series on the local Family Dependency Drug Court, where people addicted to drugs try to turn their lives around for the sake of their children.

Nativity blackout: Parents banned from taking photos and pupils' eyes covered up... all in the name of child protection

Nativity blackout: Parents banned from taking photos and pupils' eyes covered up... all in the name of child protection

Their eyes crudely blacked out to disguise their identities, these little girls look as if they might be the victims - or perhaps perpetrators - of a crime.

Note: Okay, this is a really interesting concept.  Lets go so far in protecting our children that parents can't take pictures of memorable events in a kids life.

  I'm sorry, but the people of England need to overthrow their government and send some of these anti-abuse people for a nice swim into the Atlantic.  Really, people like that have no business being in positions of power even in lower level position like a head mistress at a school.   People like that are just plain anal-retentive. 
Last night local MP Grant Shapps said the ‘absurd’ ban created a ‘climate of fear’ that effectively branded all parents pedophiles.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Milwaukee mother reunited with child on Thanksgiving

State investigates response to Ore. child abuse

State investigates response to Ore. child abuse

A top Oregon child welfare official wants to expand the use of a special team to investigate foster care abuse.

Advanced SystemSuckOlogy: The Focus

I have recently been commenting on a particular foster parent blog. Out of respect to this blogger who has had some serious problems based on her fame and fortune from a different blog, which I'm not going to get into, I will not provide a link. I will say that this particular blogger is one of the most brutally honest foster parent/adoptive parent bloggers I have ever come across.  And although I don't always agree with her, she has earned my respect.  And I will treat her with such.

A few days ago, she did a post about fixing the child welfare system. It basically, in my opinion comes down to doing the right thing. Taking kids who need to be protected and leaving families who can be helped in tact. Providing the necessary supports to help the family successfully care for their children. In some cases this is done. In some cases this is not done. Of course that is way too simple of an answer as there are many parts to a mess this big. How do we go about fixing the mess? That is a new problem entirely. However, her response to my comment was rather enlightening. Not because I thought she was right, but because I suddenly saw where she was wrong.  And it all comes back to pre-conceived notions which is based on the presentation of the issue.

So here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to offer a solution to a part of the problem, right here and now on Legally Kidnapped. This is a part of the problem that I have the authority state based on the work I have done with Legally Kidnapped. And I'm not claiming originality in the concept, but I will claim originality in the presentation.

Here is the problem. The focus.
Here is the solution. Change the focus.

Let me explain.

One of the things I've noticed, in regards to a trend or a pattern is that there is a lot of focus directed towards one side of the issue. The word issue will be defined in this case as a whole where we lump it all into one category. Child Abuse, the Child Welfare Industry, Foster Care, adoption, reunification, services, whatever. (I'm doing this for a purpose so bare with me.) When you consider the kinds of news articles that are printed, you see the issue from a particular perspective. That perspective is skewed towards one side of the issue in it's presentation.  This is a part of the problem known as a Media Distortion.

Okay, what the hell am I talking about? Let me give you a couple of examples.

I read a lot of foster parent blogs. In these, there is a common myth that they all seem to subscribe to. That myth is that parents involved with the child welfare system can not be helped. These are the parents they blog about. As an example of this I will direct you to Mothering4Money's very inspiring post, As The World Turns

The news media attacks the issue from a particular perspective as well. Overall, the presentation by the media has created the universal, or rather most common understanding of the issue throughout society. This poses a problem in that most people who are subjected to a one sided presentation also refuse to research the issue further to hear what the others are saying. So their understanding is off the mark, so to speak.

For example, there are a lot of articles about horrific cases of child abuse. There are a lot of articles about wonderful foster parents. There is a myth that all of these kids have dreams of forever homes, and that all they want is to be adopted so that they can have a family of their own. There is a lot of talk of systematic failures, foster children aging out, bla bla bla.

What there is not, is this. You hardly ever see articles where a parent successfully went through any programs, solved the problems and got their kids back. You see a lot of so called success stories that end in adoption, but you never see any that end in reunification. I take that back. Here's one...

Jacksonville Couple Wonders if Foster Care System is Broken

In this case, the parents get the kids back, and the foster parents accuse the workers of failing the children.  The parents get the kid back, and "Oh my God the INJUSTICE!!!"

Here's another...

Investigators: All ties cut with Poca

"Oh those poor, poor foster parents." How can they take this child away from them?  They love her!  They raised her!  This is the only family she has ever known.

See what I mean?

You rarely see a reunification portrayed in a positive light in the news. Oh, there were a couple back around national reunification day, but even those portrayed the system in a positive light as well. "These wonderful workers helped this poor family get back on their feet, and they were able to overcome all of their problems with the help of all of the wonderful people who work for the system, were able to provide a safe and stable environment for their kids."

So here's what needs to be done. We need more success stories, where the parents overcame the odds, got their kids back, etc. This happens, but we never see it. So people are more apt to think that once the label child abuse or neglect is applied, all is lost.  So what if a parent cleans themselves up from a drug addiction?  Do they not deserve the recognition?  Is that not difficult to do?  Is that not a major accomplishment? 

Then why do we never see it?

Perhaps it's time that we do. 

Angus couple guilty of Jersey child abuse

Angus couple guilty of Jersey child abuse

A couple who were working at Haut De La Garenne care home have been found guilty of eight counts of abuse each.

RI plans to close 3 children's shelters

RI plans to close 3 children's shelters

Rhode Island child welfare officials say they plan to close three emergency shelters for children removed from their home because of abuse or neglect by early next year.

Accused Child Molester Appears In Court

Accused Child Molester Appears In Court

A youth soccer coach accused of molesting half a dozen boys loses a round in court.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Ark. coroner says child dies of unknown causes

Ark. coroner says child dies of unknown causes

The Pulaski County Coroner says a toddler has died at a hospital after being found unresponsive in a Little Rock motel room.

Former foster parent jailed for sex offences

Former foster parent jailed for sex offences

A former foster parent and Child, Youth Family caregiver has been jailed for sex offending against girls.

How to tell a foster child he is not going to see his mom again?

A question asked in Yahoo Answers.

How to tell a foster child he is not going to see his mom again?

New home reunites brothers after 12 yrs in foster care

New home reunites brothers after 12 yrs in foster care

A local boy separated from his brothers in foster care set a personal goal to buy a house. After years of work and determination, he saved enough for a down payment and now after 12 years apart, all three are living together, sharing the rent and helping each other as a family.

Foster-care deaths increase, but advocates defend system

Foster-care deaths increase, but advocates defend system

Amid growing concerns about an increase in child abuse and deaths in Los Angeles County, child advocates and county officials are debating what impact new reforms have had in recent years and how to best improve the troubled foster-care system.

Foster Care Fosters Homelessness

Foster Care Fosters Homelessness

Life can be hard for children in foster care. There's the question of an unpleasant and unwanted split from the biological parents, the potential shuffling from foster home to foster home, and eventually, according to a comprehensive new report, the very real possibility of homelessness when youths "age out" of the foster care system at age 18. Unfortunately, it looks like adulthood can be even harder than childhood for the 30,000 youths who turn 18 each year and leave the foster care system.

Second Indian 'child sacrifice' murder claim

Second Indian 'child sacrifice' murder claim

Police in central India reported a second case of suspected child sacrifice on Thursday, casting a spotlight on witchcraft and occult beliefs that persist in some impoverished areas.

Survey reveals social work supervision deficiencies

Survey reveals social work supervision deficiencies

Social workers are not always receiving the amount of supervision they need and most are not getting adequate support for professional development issues or the emotional problems their work presents, according to a survey released today by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW).

Man threatened to kill social worker

Man threatened to kill social worker

A LLANDRINDOD Wells man who threatened to kill a social worker and burn his office to the ground has been given an 18-month community order by magistrates.

Note: Is it just me, or do social workers tend to piss people off?

Children languish on waiting lists as services cut back, union says

Children languish on waiting lists as services cut back, union says

The Child and Youth Wellness Centre of Leeds and Grenville is dealing with a huge influx of children and teens seeking help for mental health issues.

False memories of sexual abuse lead to terrible miscarriages of justice

False memories of sexual abuse lead to terrible miscarriages of justice

To avoid the innocent being convicted, police, lawyers and judges must understand the fickle nature of human memory

Boys found alive after 50 days at sea

Boys found alive after 50 days at sea

For three boys from the Tokelau Islands the word miracle has a whole new meaning.

Drug Dealer Being Paid With Food Stamps and Child Support Cards

Drug Dealer Being Paid With Food Stamps and Child Support Cards

 

Social workers are doing their part for reform

Social workers are doing their part for reform

They are actively pursuing the systemic changes the county's Department of Children and Family Services needs to make children safer.

Note: See, this is why I don't consider myself a Child Welfare Reformer. Everybody wants to fix the system. However, depending on which side of the fence you're standing, the reforms that you see as being needed are going to be different.

Everybody wants reform. Foster parents often cry out for reform. However the reforms they seek benefit them. Make it easier to adopt, more money, etc.

Workers cry out for reform. However the reforms they want, tend to benefit them. Make their jobs easier, lower their caseloads so that they have more time to screw with you, less paperwork, etc.

Parents want reform too. They don't want their kids taken into a chronic failure of a system. They don't want to loose control of their lives.

So in reality, we all know that the system is broken, the difference is in the approach. We all want reforms but there is no way that we can come together to solve all of the problems. Why? Because it all comes down to one thing.

Who gets the kid.

Survey reveals shortcomings in foster care system

Survey reveals shortcomings in foster care system

People who want to take children from institutions to foster care must wait unnecessarily long and undergo a complex administrative procedure in the Czech Republic, shows a survey of the Alternative Family Care Centre that CTK has at its disposal.

EXCLUSIVE: Child Services Assessment Of Teen Mom Star Amber Portwood Completed

EXCLUSIVE: Child Services Assessment Of Teen Mom Star Amber Portwood Completed

The Indiana Department of Child Services has completed its assessment of Teen Mom star Amber Portwood regarding her two-year-old child Leah, RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively.

Judge Snatches Man’s Children, Uses Religion as Excuse

Judge Snatches Man’s Children, Uses Religion as Excuse

An Indiana man with 50 percent custody of his children was recently turned into an every-other-weekend dad by a family court judge who cited religion as the reason the children should not spend much time with their father. According to the judge, George Pancol, when the man had identified as a Christian, he and his ex-wife got along better, but now that the man was no longer so sure about his faith, there was a lack of cooperation. Of course, Christianity mandates that children should always be taken from their father — especially when the mother divorces said father. It must be in the Bible somewhere…

Baby P doctor fights to stop disciplinary hearing

Baby P doctor fights to stop disciplinary hearing

A doctor accused of failing to spot that Baby P, from north London, had a broken back days before his death became suicidal and had to flee to "a place of safety" as she faced a disciplinary hearing, the High Court was told.

Thieves steal items meant for foster kids from Oxnard charity

Thieves steal items meant for foster kids from Oxnard charity

Much of what Lisa Pugh and others have collected over the past few months was taken last week when thieves broke into an Oxnard office and stole blankets, stuffed animals and clothes meant for foster children.

'Child protection laws broken during Silwan interrogations'

'Child protection laws broken during Silwan interrogations'

60 professionals write to PM, A-G about concerns that police conduct in east J'lem affects physical, emotional well-being of youths.

The police have been ignoring laws meant to protect minors during a yearlong crackdown on children who throw rocks at Israeli targets in the capital’s Silwan neighborhood, a group of 60 medical professionals, psychologists, educators, social workers, legislators and children’s book writers complained on Wednesday in a letter to Israeli political leaders.

Governor signs Mundy's bill to protect foster children from abuse, neglect

Governor signs Mundy's bill to protect foster children from abuse, neglect

Gov. Ed Rendell has signed into law legislation authored by state Rep. Phyllis Mundy to protect the rights of foster children.

'Teen Mom' Portwood loses custody of child

'Teen Mom' Portwood loses custody of child

Amber Portwood, the mother of 2-year-old daughter Leah on the MTV reality show "Teen Mom," has at least temporarily lost custody of her child.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Woman suing judge for paternity, child support

Woman suing judge for paternity, child support

A former Montgomery County resident is claiming Judge Tracy Gilbert, of the 418th state District Court, fathered her son 17 years ago and has never formally acknowledged the boy or paid child support.

Siblings hold Thanksgiving together, 46 years later

Siblings hold Thanksgiving together, 46 years later

What do you say when you write your long-lost brother for the first time in 46 years, Loretta W. Scott asked herself earlier this year.

Report faults agency for not investigating claims

Report faults agency for not investigating claims

Officials and staff members at several levels in the state Department of Human Services failed to give adequate attention to nine child-abuse allegations leveled over a period of 51/2 years against a Blachly couple convicted earlier this year of mistreating their 9-year-old adopted son, who first came into their care as a foster child, according to a DHS report released Tuesday.

Report critical of Ore. agency after child abused

Report critical of Ore. agency after child abused

A report has faulted the state Department of Human Services for not investigating initial claims of child abuse against an Oregon couple sent to prison for mistreating their 9-year-old adopted son.

A Special Thanksgiving Message from Baby LK

Maine Children's Services Administrators Need To Be Pubicly Flogged

Maine Children's Services Administrators Need To Be Pubicly Flogged

The Maine program experiencing this magnitude of cost overruns has nothing to do with quality of services as most families struggle to access basic services for children, it has to do with basic incompetency of administration.

DHS supervisor arrested, accused of rape



A Department of Human Services Supervisor is arrested and fired, accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in foster care and raping an adult woman.

Family reunited for Thanksgiving after 23 years



A family is reunited this Thanksgiving after 23 years. Paul Carpenter lost touch with his child's mother, but after years of searching the long wait came to an end.

March will memorialize Native children lost in foster care

March will memorialize Native children lost in foster care

A beaded eagle feather is among Frank LaMere's most prized possessions.

The brother of a young mother, who committed suicide soon after her parental rights were terminated two years ago, beaded the feather and asked family members to give it to LaMere to thank him for fighting for Native children in foster care.

Whose child am I? A WAFF 48 News special report

Whose child am I? A WAFF 48 News special report

Searching for a birth parent can be a difficult decision. With help from investigators, social workers and websites, more and more Americans seem to be actively searching for their birth families.

Watchdog to investigate deaths of disabled children

Watchdog to investigate deaths of disabled children

Turning up the heat on a troubled Chicago facility for children with disabilities, a watchdog group said Tuesday it will investigate numerous deaths that have occurred at the home in recent years, including ones that have not been thoroughly reviewed by regulators.

Class Action Status Approved For Families Suing Over In-Home Care

Class Action Status Approved For Families Suing Over In-Home Care

A group of Illinois families fighting to maintain in-home care for their adult children with disabilities can band together in a class action lawsuit, a federal judge has decided.

The families are suing the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services in an effort to force the state to continue the same level of in-home care for their adult children that they enjoyed growing up. Being allowed to form a group could strengthen the families’ case, which has already attracted support from the Justice Department.

Guilty former CPS worker had previous theft conviction

Guilty former CPS worker had previous theft conviction

A former Yuba County employee convicted this month of bribery and extortion was disciplined in 2008 for preparing false timesheets and mileage as a Child Protective Services worker, arrested in 2003 for check fraud in Florida and convicted in 1990 of grand theft in Los Angeles County.

Child services program over budget by 70 percent

Child services program over budget by 70 percent

The state’s Child Development Services program is over budget and will need more than $13 million to get through the current budget year. The state appropriation for the program is $14.9 million for this budget year.
----
Rier proposed filling the hole by taking $5.7 million from a section of General Purpose Aid to Education that pays for the education of state wards and $7.4 million from an appropriation of cash from the general fund.

Woman Threatens To Kill Social Workers, Magistrate Over Child Support Arrangements

Woman Threatens To Kill Social Workers, Magistrate Over Child Support Arrangements

A Belmont County woman is in jail after threatening to kill her child support caseworker and several others.

Note: Reason # 642 of why it's often best to keep your mouth shut.

Child Psychology : How to Discipline an Adopted Child

Time to go to the shrink.

Here.



Adopted children often have special needs when it comes to discipline. Help your adopted child grow in a positive way with the assistance of a licensed psychologist in this free video.

Children in foster homes miss out on basic healthcare

Children in foster homes miss out on basic healthcare

Children in foster homes may not be receiving basic health care such as immunisations and their carers are often oblivious to their health problems, a new study shows.

Report recommends deeper investigation into reports of abuse in Oregon foster homes

Report recommends deeper investigation into reports of abuse in Oregon foster homes

Child-welfare workers received nine reports about trouble in a state-certified foster home but no one seriously investigated until a 9-year-old boy was hospitalized with a severe burn and broken pelvis.

Those Pesky ******** Bio-Parents

One of my personal favorite roller-coaster of a foster parent blogs is Mothering 4 Money, who btw, this evening is going off on those pesky ol' --gasp-- Bio-Parents again.

Check it out.

http://www.mothering4money.com/2010/11/as-world-turns.html

Foster child's history was a mystery - and so were her terrifying symptoms

Foster child's history was a mystery - and so were her terrifying symptoms
Note: Kind of a catchy headline for an article that pretty much discusses two wonderful foster parents who wanted to give a group of siblings a forever home after their being bounced through the system.
Maria and Todd Jameson fought the urge to get their hopes up. They had seen too many children plucked away before they'd even had a chance to meet them.
It does kind of point out something interesting though. How can a foster parent adequately take care of a child's medical needs if nobody can get their health history?

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

It's always nice to be recognized.

The really cool people over at PsychologyDegree.net has given Legally Kidnapped an award.


Top Child Abuse Blogs




You know this kind of stuff goes to my head, right? 

No pun intended.

Former foster parent and teacher sentenced for child porn

Former foster parent and teacher sentenced for child porn

Gregg Larsen abused the trust placed in him by abusing children placed in his care. For that, he will serve 25 years.

Arkansas DHS supervisor fired after accused of sexually assaulting teenage girl in foster care

Arkansas DHS supervisor fired after accused of sexually assaulting teenage girl in foster care

The Arkansas Department of Human Services has fired a supervisor who handled foster children and abuse and neglect cases after he was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in foster care.

Submitted by Anonymous # 5

I am a grandmother trying to get my grnadchildren aout of foster care and home with me!

My attorney said to go for guardianship while kathy (mother) still had her rights and if she agreed and would sign the paper work that would help. she also said if I waited until the state had custody the guy who decides the case (MCI) would go for who ever Holycross recomended.

Holycross is a large organization the one I'm dealing with is out of traverse city but they have called in people from their GR and Saginaw branches to help fight this. In saginaw they run a couple group homes that are very bad and have been sued. Kids getting sexually molested by other kids and staff members. There are several articles on Mlive about them. Cameron Deloof was molested there I have his e-mail address and a commenter names Michigan avenger used to work for them and has nothing good to say about them. I saved some of their comments, I have his email too.

Anyway about my case. The court date is 11/17 starts a 9AM Muskegon county court house. I live in Florida and have since 12/2005. When the Kids were taken my son was in jail for drug charges. He was convicted of selling cocaine forgot how long the sentence was but longer than 2 years so his rights were terminated. He later won an appeal that droped the charge to possesion {because he had a very small amount of the drug when arrested and the law clearly states it has to be over that amount for sale) he was out in 12/2009. Kathy still has her rights and has completed her case plan with the exception of loosing her job that she didn't maintain for 2 years.

Kids were taken 2/2008 I was living in a 2 bedroom apt with a friend at the time and they said I could not have them until I had enough room. My brother took Kathy in to try to help get the kids at that time she wasn't working to hard on her case plan so my brother decided to have her move out and get the kids himself. He is married has a large house 2 grown kids. Kathy felt she didn't want the kids going to them thought that she would loose her rights if they did. She told DSS that and the judge, DSS made up some lies and they didn't let my brother get the kids (summer of2008)

By now Kathy was working hard on her case plan since she finally realized she had to. 10/08 Holy Cross took the case and moved the kids to Tustin 2 hours north of GR and were planning on terminating her rights. They got my son and my brother out of the way. In 2009 not sure what month Judge ruled the kids needed to be inegrated into their mothers house and that she should get them back. Holycross drug their feet she didn't start getting the kids at her house for several months. Then they kept coming up with reason to not let them go with her and mostly lying. Kathys room mate hade a snake it was a boa but still very small they said it wraped itself around one of the kids neck and had to be pried off. The said the oldest came back from a visit and said his mother told him he could watch the movie bloody mary {not even that he acctually watched the movie) they the kids behaved badly after visits with their mother. The youngest they said licked the dogs but and they said the questioned the kids about this behavoir and the kids said they had seen their mother do it before (give me a break if thats not a lie) Anyway you see where that went.

As soon as Holy cross took the case problems started. They would not allow me to call the kids (I now have a court order for phone visits) I sent gifts they were all returned. They have done everything they can to seperate them from their family. holy cross and the fosterparents teach the kids that their family is all very bad. While I was up in MI last summer I had 3 days of visits the first 2 went very well then I was suposed to get them unsupervised the last day for the entire day and the kids came very upset saying the had a family meeting and were told the real truth about me and that they aren't allowed to talk about it or they will get in so much trouble. We still had our visit I took the kids to the zoo and holycross waited outside the gates for us. By the end of the visit the kids had warmed up. My other son and his doughter met us there and a friend of mine came along also. But through out the day I kept hearing the same things "not supposed to talk about it and we will get in so much trouble" At the end when we were leave 7yo girl had to go potty very badly and the bathrooms were a little further than expected. So her and my friend ran ahead of the rest of us to try to get there faster. When I got to the bathroom with the rest of the kids 7yo was in there just crying and freaking out I peaked in and said is everything OK. Friend says yes we just had an accident and we're going to rinse out her pants and blow dry them they came out a little later. We all began walking to the car. and she was still very upset saying she was going to be in so much trouble friend and I kept reasuring her that no one would now because she was dry now. Then she said they now every thing and he was going to take her to the utility room and slap her and he hits so much harder than her and she was scared and didn't want to get in the car.

We reported it to holy cross while there. Their response was they would talk to the foster parents. I told them I felt they shouldn't do that since they kids were instructed not to tell and that they said they would be in so much trouble. I called CPS and reported the next day. My attorney said that was a bad move because it just makes me look like I'm trying to make them look bad but it is the truth and the kids are very frightened.

I started looking for a house big enough for the kids and Kathy so either way the kids could live here with or without mom I made an offer 7/09 and informed the judge that I bought the house with the sole purpose of providing a home for the children. We then hired an attorney for mom since public pretendeder was not getting anywhere. Kathy paid part and I paid part spring of 2010.

I had a lot of trouble with the interstated compact requested it, was told by DHS that it was Holy Crosses job to send it and Holy Cross said it was DHS job to send it round and round. Finally arrived in Florida 2/2010. I had no idea I needed to be a foster parent until Florida got the packet they informed me of that. Had I known I would have started the classes long ago but they purposefuly withold information to prevent the children from being placed with family. Florida sent MI initial home study and I began classes as soon as the next session started and became licensed in 8/10.

6/2010 Foster family filed PPO's on me and my brother. Holy cross hacked my brothers facebook page where he made several negative statements about foster family.. They said that I was "combatative" with case worker during phone visits and that I knew where he live and shouldn't and that I knew his buisness was doing badly and shouldn't. He testified in court he was not present during phone visit.s so I guess the case worker must have told him when my grandson got on the phone and began talking about coming to florida and she started yelling at both of us stating we are not allowed to talk about the case and threatened to terminate the call. I told her my grandson was only telling me how he felt and he is a child not a case. The other came from when we were standing out side of the court room and I said, "how is your deck and log home buisness doing?" He replied he hadn't had any buisness in over a year.

At this point I decided to hire an attorney for my self and did 7/2010 and Judge Marietti agreed to hear the case. There is no reason to not give me the kids. I am a licensed foster parent. I am also a licensed Registered Nurse. I work in the ER. I have pediatric advance life support. I have raised 5 children. I am in good health. I have a five bedroom 3 bath home in goood neighborhood and the school district I live in is #1 in the state. I don't have any crminal record or past CPS involvement. Yet they continue to try to keep my family from me.









--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 3 Nov 2010 05:00:02 -0400
Subject: Re: Court date on 11/17



I am very interested in your case. This is something that we had tried with success but before the child went under state custody. This may be a altenative for one to try. Keep me informed. Is Holy Cross a adoption and foster care agency in. Never heard of them. They must be small.




Michigan requires you to be licensed for foster care for guardianship they can denie it if you are not. That had their social worker/trauma expert see the kids and say that they were traumatized by me and their mother. I got an independent exam by Phd that said the children had been indoctrinted. When I'm at home I'll send you the reports. They are trying very hard to stop this.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Let us know how that turns out. Good luck. Is this for guardian or foster care. And do you need to be licensed for guardianship. I know you do need to for foster care. We had a mother sign guardianship prior to cps coming involved. We were able to save that child. I don't know what would happen's after they are in state custody, so we need to know what happens here.
Thanks


I will be in court on Nov 17 in Muskegon county for guardianship of my grandchildren. There is no reason for them not to give them to me. I have done everything theey have asked including getting my fostercare license. Their mother has signed the guardianship papers and her rights have not yet been terminated although they are trying to terminate them. Holy cross and the foster parents are doing everything they can to stop the children from coming home, including attempting to teach them that we are very bad people.

Submitted by Anonymous # 4

Well my story starts like this. I am a grandmother of a beautiful healthy baby boy. He is two almost three years old now and I have been fighting for him the last year of his life. You see, back on March 7th, 2010 my daughters ex-boyfriend (baby's daddy) came by to pick up his son from my house. (The boy had been living with me since the previous August because my daughter had been incarcerated). When the father did not return the child on the 11th as was planned, I called him to find out why. He said that the baby was at his brothers house to spend the night.

Well I did not make a big stink about the whole thing as his brother did not get to see the boy very often and the child needed to get to know his younger cousin. I told the father that I would call the brothers in the morning to arrange for us to pick up the child. After searching everywhere for the number I realized I no longer had it so I called the father back up the next morning to get it from him.

That is when I found out.... Oh my Lord, what that man told me was probably the worse thing I had ever heard in my life. He said " He is not at my brothers. CPS has him and I made sure you were never going to see him again." A flood of emotion swept over me, from anger to something as close to death as I can immagine from heart break. What had he done? What could he have done? Why would he do something like this?

I was under the impression that he had called CPS himself. I was later to find out that that was not the case but none the less CPS did have my grandson.

I would like to pause the story here and give you a little background information. First my daughter. My daughter is in prison. She would tell you a different story but looking from the outside I saw a lot better then she did. My daughter is in prison because of CPS's intervention in her life 9 months earlier and the "forced" volunterary adoption of her newborn daughter and the mental breakdown she had because of their interfearance with her raising her son.But that is another story entirley. Sufice to say she will be in prison till 2012 and no hope of getting a court to not remove her parental rights.

The father has a history of domestic violence against my daughter and infront of the child everytime. He also has a history of drug use, which is why, as I found out later, he did what he did. You see the father had, unbeknownst to me, been having bouts of parinoid delisions. All of this came to a head in Feburary when my daughter was sentenced. Of all things I could say about that man I have to say that regardless of the abuse on the mother he loved the son.

It was not 4 days after she was setenced that his new live in girlfriend and he were fighting. He decided to call the police, and in his infinante wisdom proceed to tell the officer that he suspected his girlfriend of sexually molesting his son. So it was no supprise that when the police called a few weeks later and she answered the phone they made a report to CPS.

Now as it happens he had the child both times. This was very unusual as it was hard enough to get him to visit one day with his son let alone two weekends within one month but.... Well, he did not realize that it was his own stupidity that landed him with a visit from CPS, instead he thought it was us. So in his own way he was going to get even with us. During his interview with the case manager he let us have it.

He told them that we were using him to steal stuff from the store, using him as a "feedgate" with witch to get state aid, (none of which is true) and oh yea we put microphones in his ears so we could spy on his parenting skills. I swear this is a true and honest statement he made and I swear that I had no Idea that that was what was going on in the man's head. For that reason alone I can thank CPS for their intervention. God only knows what could have happened.

But, now they wont give him back to me. You may ask why and well I will tell you, but be aware there is always two sides to every story and CPS is rarely on the right side of it.

You see I demanded my grandson back the day I was told CPS had them. My daughter signed a power of attorney while she was in coustody and it would have been in effect for another three months. We were going to file for guardianship after she got setenced (we were hoping she would just get probation). Well needless to say we did not get the chance. CPS took custody of him 35 days later. When I demanded his return I was told that would not be possible because
1. Grandparents have no rights in Arizona (very true I was to find out later) and
2. I had a previous CPS case history (this is where the lawyers all bowed out gracefully to leave me to fight alone).
Not only did my son age out of CPS he did so 1 day after my grandson came to live with me when my daughter got arrested. Yes, a recent CPS case history. ( and there went the rest of the lawyers in a brisk run now, and just about anyone else who I even dreamed could help me.)
But, here is what no one would hear. My son was nearly 17 when he entered CPS custody. You see, rather than file for emancipation like he should have, my son and his girlfriend cooked up this story so that her parents would feel sorry for him and let him move into their house. Now of coures when my 16 almost 17 year old son came to me and asked if he could move in with his barely 16 year old girlfriend my first and only response was Over my dead body, and I did not care how much supervision her parents offered.

Well lets just say that he/they did not like that answer so they told their little story to anyone who would listen. They found a sympathitic ear in a substitute teacher. It had to be because his regular teachers knew me and knew better than what they were saying.

Their little plan was to get her parents to take guardianship and they figured if they recruited the help of a teacher that her parents would feel more comfortable. Well they were right her parents filed for emergency guardianship.

The judge denied them and apointed an ad litem for my son. The Ad Litem filed the dependency, which in Arizona is an open inventation for CPS.

I was hurt and shocked and in shock by the accuasations being thrown my way. I was not offered reunification services at all. In fact my son's father, whom he had not seen but 3 times in 17 years, was offered family services instead of me.

Well like an idiot I stipulated to the dependency on a guardianship case plan. The substitute teacher was going to take guardianship, and she did for three months. At which time she returned my son to CPS. Now, I did not learn of this for three months after that. The teacher was not answering my calls and of course CPS wouldn't.

It was my son calling my mother and telling her he was in a boys home that let me know the situatuion. I had no Idea I still had a lawyer or I would have gotten him out of there. This was a good boy who got led astray by a pretty pair of eyes, not some deliquent needing a boys home.

But I could not afford a lawyer now to get him out and like I said I did not know I still had the same lawyer. He did not inform me of any change and I had not moved, although I did not have a phone anymore. Well at any rate, my son aged out of cps 11 months after entering into custody.

However, I would like to point out that my daughter is the only one of all of my 9 childern and step childern that turned to the dark side, the rest all turned out fine. Including my son, my baby.

He graduated 4th in his high school class, was in the junior national honor society and then in high school national honor society. That is why none of his regular teachers would listen to him, they knew better. I was the soccar mom. I spent alot of time with my kids, with school, with after school activities, everything. So when my son came up to them they could not belive what they were hearing.

You do not raise honor students by abusing them you do it by nuturing them and loveing them and supporting them.

Ok, now lets flash forward 7 months. CPS has my grandson and because of a 17 year olds temper tantrum and my inactions regarding it, they are not going to give him back. Well I refused to lay down on this one. They had no right to take him. Didn't stop them though.

I filed a motion to intervene after calling every family lawyer in phoenix and the surrounding areas (it took me 3 days to call them all and have them say sorry can't help you) Even my daughters lawyer told me that there was no way in hell a judge especally this one was going to give him to me.

But you see, I know their is a God and I know that He would not let such an injustice be served on an innocent little boy. I have never hurt a child in my life. Besides, I have been the one constant in that poor childs life. With mom bouncing all over the place and dad who knows where I was there everyday for him. I have always been and will always be here for him.

Well the judge granted my motion to intervene. With that was my statement of facts and the facts surrounding my son's case. I also included a letter from three of my neighbors stating that the child lived with me and three references stating how I was with my grandson. I included, as well, the power of attorney my daughter signed.

Next, I filed for change of physical custody. Come my hearing date, I was ready. I had all my laws written out, all my arguements for every possible point they could come up with. My Mom was there, my son, and the father's dad all there to speak on my behalf if I so desired. The DA said his peace refeering to me as That Woman the entire time, but that wasnt' going to shake me.

When he was done I requested permission to speak. Yea, like I shouldn't have a chance, and in fact gone first. Oh well, the judge granted me permission and said, Yes, please I was supprised you did not mention you previous case history in your motion. What!! I thought to my self. That was almost all of what I covered to get into this little party of yours it was covered in my Motion to Intervene.

I told the judge that that was covered in my previous motion and all he could do was shrug his sholders. Well as his sholders fell from that shrug so did all the thoughts in my head. I was ready for my 15 minutes with the judges full attention and what I got was nothing . But that was my fault I could not recover from the discovery that the judge read nothing of my paperworks submitted. Of course I still kick myself for it my chance to explain my side flushed down the drain. Damn Damn Damn.

Well needless to say I filed a motion to reconcider that was denied. Now all this time my husband has not been able to see his grandson. CPS has graciously allowed me to see him but not my husband. Why you ask? Because he has a 10 year old felony conviction for treaspassing thats it nothing else there just treaspassing. Is that stupid or what. That was all I could think of to say during court that day too, was can he please join me on visitations. To this the judge responded that "he was sure CPS would reconcider" which of coures they have not.

Where was I, Oh yes denied my motion to reconcider. Fine so be it. I decided to inendate them with paper work. Every time they changed something in his case I filed for custody. And in the mean time I would file motions to compel documents( concidering I never seem to get any any other way). I File supeonas for witnesses to support the current custody motions. Requests for visitations based on case changes. Well you get the idea. But now it is november and in january they plan on moving him to another state. I get one last shot at it before they transfer him. I am thinking about a stay but I have not come up with a good enough reason.

All I know is if they were concerned about me not fighting for my son they should have no worries with my grandson. I have shown that CPS's complaints against me are unfounded if all they can come up with is my past case. Where is their evidence on this child and I. I have seen none but that does not matter here. From what I have seen, the rules of civil court procedure do not apply here. I feel violated and refused justice, all the while my grandson, a once happy little boy, is becomming devoid of any emotion whatsoever.

I hope they know I will stop fighting for him when I am dead, or I get him back or my daugher gets out and gets him back. I have long since given up hope for a lawyer to come to our rescue. But I sure wish I could get some advice from one or two once in a while.

Well Thats my story in the short form he he he.

Still Fighting in Phoenix
(in the monkey court)

Submitted by Lois

Corruption in the Department of Social Services

Yes, Virginia there is a bogey man. Not in the closet or under the bed. Our bogey man is the Department of Social Services, its employees and contract workers. If you have never had to experience their corruption and cruelty, consider yourself very lucky. What ever you do, don’t let them know of any family crisis!

Why is it that Little Rappahannock County has a higher percentage of Foster Care victims then any other county in the state, consider the population of the county? Why does Virginia have the Nations highest number of children who age out of Foster Care? The answer is very simple, money.

For each child the SS keeps in bondage, the Federal Government pays the state and counties a bounty. If they can find any reason at all they will take your child. You will be prosecuted in court by the Commonwealth’s Attorney, even though you are never charged with a crime. (The Constitution has no place at the SS office.) Though they tell you that there is no crime, you will pay the ultimate penalty, the loss of a child.

They will force you to go and be “evaluated” by their contractor, who then will write a report that of course says you need counseling. They will then send you to their counselor, that the State pays $62 an hour. Now of course they only get that as long as you need “help”. Guess what, each of these people will say whatever the SS wants them too and there is nothing you can do about it. After all you committed no crime, right?

Worst of all crimes is what they are doing to innocent children. How does someone sleep at night knowing that they are selling children for their own gain? A family in crisis does not need to be ripped apart, sometimes they just need help. A child that has already been traumatized does not need to be isolated from their family and subjected to inept and often cruel treatment at the hands of these so called counselors. You will not find anything but heartbreak at the Rappahannock SS. These people have no conscious at all. They need to be stopped.

To add insult to injury they will take money that they say is for child support and instead of giving it to the child, keep it for whatever purposes they see fit. There is absolutely no accountability for these people. Strangely when these things were pointed out and a request was made under the Freedom of Information Act for a copy of the budget of our local DSS, the commonwealths’ attorney instead of investigating, lashes out claiming it is slander. Who is he serving? We condemn others for selling children, yet we condone this?

These people need to be investigated and prosecuted for their crimes against families and the children who are punished and yet did nothing wrong. The real victims here need to speak up. Most of us at some point in our lives will have a crisis of one nature or another. Beware, if the Department of SS becomes involved they will make it worse then you could have ever imagined. If there are others reading this who have been victims of the SS please email me at, surprisingly.angry@gmail.com.

If you know anyone who is paying child support to them, they need to find out if it going to the child or being embezzled. Not one cent of the $2000 they have stolen from me has gone for my daughters care. I now have to borrow money from my sister, who is caring for her, just to have gas to get back and forth to work.

The fight against corrupt government needs to start here. If we can’t fix this we can not have any hope of fixing State and Federal Government.

Lois Young

Submitted by Heather

Rickets an Epidemic On June 3, 2010 my five and a half week old daughter was introduced to the Child Protection Team in a hospital in a local hospital' by diagnosing her as being a victim of child abuse. I brought my new born daughter to the hospital, after she woke up screaming in pain when i moved her arm. Upon multiple x-rays we found out that she had a fracture in her right arm that had a transverse configuration, without any evidence of external injury (we later learned that a transverse configuration is a typical fracture morphology in a pathologically fragile bone). Not understanding how this could have happened to my daughter, my boyfriend and I had no explanation for the injury.

Apparently because of the injury and our inability to explain how it happened, the doctors at the hospital suspected child abuse and contacted Child Protection Services (not the actual name of the agency) who sent social workers to the hospital to interview us. After several hours of questioning, they transferred us to another hospital.where we were immediately admitted to the Child Protection Department. After further x-rays and bone scans the hospital found multiple micro fractures throughout my daughter’s body, and a slight bilateral subdural hematoma.

My daughter’s initial physical examination revealed an asymptomatic child. She did not have any lesions, rashes, bruises, no external swelling, not a mark on her. The hospital did not conduct a careful assessment of my daughter’s physical condition or of my clinical and social history. They assessed her vitamin D levels which were low-normal, but not mine; they did not question me about my nutrition during pregnancy or my delivery. They did not take into consideration that I called her pediatrician on two separate occasions with medical concerns; one being that she had severe clicking in her shoulders which we later learned is due to joint laxity, a symptom of Rickets or that she had broken blood vessels in her right eye. Also knowing that I was breast feeding, he told me to stop drinking milk "stating that humans are the only other mammal to drink other mammal milk, which is not right" and he felt that me drinking milk contributed to my daughters gas discomforts. The pediatrician's office told me these were "NORMAL" occurrence's and not indicative of a need for a medical work up. Both hospital's did not act in an unbiased and reflective manner or take into consideration the totality of evidence. Instead, without conducting a complete evaluation, they quickly diagnosed my daughter as a victim of inflicted injury.

On June 4th my five and a half week old daughter was taken out of my care and placed in the state foster care system. Upon being involved with the child protection agency, the State appointed my daughter an attorney. Attorney S, has become an angel for my daughter and to my family. Thankfully, Attorney S took her job seriously and set out to determine the truth of what happened to my daughter.

After interviewing me and my family and reading the transcripts of the initial interviews of my boyfriend and I written by the emergency social workers from the hospitals, Attorney S requested all of the x-rays, bone scans and medical reports from both hospitals.

Attorney S asked several doctors to look at the medical information and give their unbiased, expert opinions who refused to touch the case because the hospital in question is very reputable. Thankfully, she finally reached out to Dr. Patrick Barnes, a world-renowned neuroradiologist who agreed to look at my daughter’s case. He referred Atty S to Dr. David Ayoub a diagnostic Radiologist out of Chicago IL, to look at the xrays and bone scans specifically. After an initial review of the films, Dr. Ayoub proceeded to acquire every medical record in existence on my daughter including my prenatal records and ultrasounds, my daughter’s delivery and pediatric records and he had me fill out a medical questionnaire survey.

After careful and thorough review of ALL medical reports he saw that my daughter was suffering from a metabolic bone disease which he diagnosed as INFANTILE RICKETS in the state of healing, and that her bones were in a fragile state. He also stated that my daughters skull showed poor mineralization along the sutures and large areas or poor mineralization in the center portion of the skull plates. In addition the parietal skull was flattened.

As Dr. Ayoud was evaluating my daughters medical reports, he aksed Atty S to suggeste that I go see Dr. Michael Holick, a world renowned endocrinologist. Upon his full evaluation of me, Dr. Holick found me to be suffering from Osteomalacia, essentially the adult form of Rickets, and also possibly Elhers Danlos syndrome which is a genetic deficiency that cross ties to my daughters metabolic bone disease.

This process took two months to complete and now, because of the lack of follow through by multiple health care providers including the Doctors at the hospital, my daughter has been without one of the things most critical to her young development, a caring and loving mother. And I have been robbed of some of the most precious moments I could have had with her.

Because it took so long to get the proper diagnosis and after being in foster care for almost two months, the child protection agency then decided to place to my daughter with her biological father who abandoned us when I was 2 months pregnant. He had not seen or even asked about his daughter until he was contacted by the child protection agency on June 4th, almost six weeks after her birth.

It has now been 3 months since I have had my precious baby girl. Even with two outstanding doctor reports from two nationally distinguished doctors, the child protection team doesn't seem to care that my daughter was taken from her mother in error. Because the child protection agency is essentially a body of law in itself, they have no legal obligation to take this new medical information about my daughter and myself and do anything with it.

It would take pages to explain the twisted system that is child protection services but this system is set up in such a way that there actually isn't a forum to bring this new information up in front of a judge unless the whole case goes to a trial, which would be months away.

This child protection agency and all child protection agencies were set up to protect children, which I totally respect, but where are the laws set up to protect the children and families from these agencies? What do you do when the Doctors and the the child protection agencies are the ones responsible for Neglect or Abuse?

Still to this day neither the child protection agency, or my daughters biological father have taken my daughter to get looked at by a specialist, to make sure that she is getting what she needs to fix her deficiency. (Thankfully, Dr. Ayoub assures me that because she has been fed formula since she was removed from my custody, I exclusively breast-fed her for the first 5 weeks, another risk factor for rickets, she is most likely safe from further fractures.) I am not allowed to get any medical information about my daughter as her bio dad has temporary custody. He is only allowing me to see my now 4-month-old daughter one day a week, at a supervised visitation center. In what kind of world does any of this seem right?

I just hope that other families and children can be saved by being made aware of this epidemic. Health care providers need to be educated on these issues. Most doctors are not taught to know what to look for when they are dealing with rickets or other metabolic bone diseases. And when Neonatal Ricktes are in the stages of healing the vitamin D and calcium levels are usually normal or high. That's why it's important to test, everything !!! They need to do their due diligence in ruling out EVERY medical possibility before making their diagnosis's. They need to help save families, not help break them,I have started an informational page on Facebook called RICKETS an EPIDEMIC please go to the page and "LIKE" the page in support and to help spread awareness. On the site you will see the near 1,700 people working hard to get policies and regulations changed, to stop things like this from happening.

Guess what

It Could Happen To You