Legally Kidnapped

Shattering Your Child Welfare Delusions Since 2007


Thursday, June 30, 2011

Ex-foster child sues for details of her past

Ex-foster child sues for details of her past

A former foster child says Nova Scotia's Department of Community Services is withholding information that would help her understand her own life.

Former DHR employee pleads to child support theft

Former DHR employee pleads to child support theft


Susan Willis, a former case worker in the Department of Human Resources (DHR) Office of Child Support Services, pled guilty yesterday to Theft by a Government Employee in Mitchell County Superior Court.

Can software practice law?

Can software practice law?


A lawsuit claims LegalZoom's do-it-yourself online legal document service is practicing without a license. Is legal self-help software illegal?

Homeless teen now voice for youth

Homeless teen now voice for youth

LAUREN Magri fought a battle in her teenage years more emotionally challenging than most people face in their entire life.

Turman sentenced to life in prison for sexual battery of foster child

Turman sentenced to life in prison for sexual battery of foster child

A Navarre man was sentenced Thursday to life in prison without parole for sexually battering a foster child in his custody.

4 DHS Workers In Serenity Deal Case Identified

4 DHS Workers In Serenity Deal Case Identified

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services confirmed the identities of four employees involved in the case of a child who died while in her father's care.

New drug tests for welfare applicants face hurdles, questions

New drug tests for welfare applicants face hurdles, questions

A new state law requiring all welfare applicants to be drug-tested goes into effect today — even as opponents say the statute is riddled with problems and will not withstand a legal challenge.

Children still in prison despite law

Children still in prison despite law

Two years after the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) promulgated the Law on Child Protection, an estimated 3,000 children remain in prisons across the country.

Bachmann reveals miscarriage to explain abortion stance

Bachmann reveals miscarriage to explain abortion stance

GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann revealed she once had a "devastating" miscarriage, which ultimately helped shape her views on abortion.

Few reporters covered Michele Bachmann miscarriage revelation

Few reporters covered Michele Bachmann miscarriage revelation

Wednesday night at a campaign event in Rock Hill, S.C., GOP presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann revealed that a miscarriage she had decades ago shaped her views on abortion and led her to become a foster mother to 23 children.

Note: I thought God told her to do it.

Child protection fails Vic teenagers

Child protection fails Vic teenagers

Six Victorian teenagers who died in the past four years were known to child-protection services and had long histories of neglect, a report has found.

Make DCFS follow the law

Make DCFS follow the law

Is the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services going to be allowed to brazenly disregard the law? In 2007 state legislators passed a bill that required DCFS to make public its files if a child under its care died. So when 3-year-old Joseph Schoolfield died in 2009, DCFS should have released his entire case file except for some exempt items such as medical reports. Instead it recently released a report that condensed hundreds of pages of records into an 11-page summary.

New Poll shows Virginians support gay adoption



New Poll shows Virginians support gay adoption

Critics demand answers after report reveals six children died under Alberta care

Critics demand answers after report reveals six children died under Alberta care

Revelations that six children in provincial care died last year and 20 were hospitalized have critics demanding the removal of the veil of secrecy over Alberta Children and Youth Services.

Child protection reporting strengthens a 'failing' system

Child protection reporting strengthens a 'failing' system


Pressure on the social care system created by the intense media glare is a force for good and can help improve a “failing and depleted” system, according to a top child protection specialist.

'I hate my babies and my older children are animals,' says Octomom

'I hate my babies and my older children are animals,' says Octomom

Celebrity megamum Nadya Suleman says her dream of having a big family has turned into a nightmare as she struggles to raise her eight babies and six older children as a single parent.

DCF Hurries To Get Ready To Test New Welfare Applicants

DCF Hurries To Get Ready To Test New Welfare Applicants


Hustling to make a Friday deadline, state social service officials met Wednesday to map out and get last-minute public input on broad policy guidelines as Florida begins drug testing new applicants for welfare benefits.

Florida Department Of Children And Families (DCF) Power Abuse

Florida Department Of Children And Families (DCF) Power Abuse

The Department Of Child And Families and more power then any agency within the United States of America other then the Secret Service or anything related to "Home Land Security" .

New law to restrict adoption by foreigners

New law to restrict adoption by foreigners

From July next year, foreigners will be restricted from adopting a Korean child, unless the government fails to find his or her foster family here.

Sacramento County CPS director takes indefinite leave

Sacramento County CPS director takes indefinite leave

Laura Coulthard, director of Sacramento County's Child Protective Services, has taken an extended leave of absence from the agency, officials confirmed Tuesday.

Foster Parents Charged With Child Abuse, In Court Today



John and Sonya Kluth begin their preliminary hearing after being accused of locking their children in a storm celler among other shocking forms of abuse.

NY grandparents raising children lose support

NY grandparents raising children lose support

Grandparents are protesting cuts to a state program that provided training, education and support groups for grandparents who are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren, Grandparents raising kids among victims of budget ax – Times Union.

Audit: DCFS falls short on response times but shows improvement

Audit: DCFS falls short on response times but shows improvement

A recent audit found that investigations of reported child abuse and reviews of death cases by the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services are not living up to state law, although the agency has made improvements in recent years.

Social workers criticise HSE child protection process

Social workers criticise HSE child protection process

SOCIAL workers are on a collision course with the HSE over a new standardisation process for dealing with child protection cases, including sexual abuse cases.

Outcry in America as pregnant women who lose babies face murder charges

Outcry in America as pregnant women who lose babies face murder charges

Women's rights campaigners see the creeping criminalisation of pregnant women as a new front in the culture wars over abortion

Nearly Half of U.S. Teens Smoke, Drink Alcohol, or Use Drugs

Nearly Half of U.S. Teens Smoke, Drink Alcohol, or Use Drugs

Nearly half of all American high school students smoke, drink alcohol, or use illicit drugs, according to a new report. And one in four who started using these substances before they turned 18 may become addicts.

Baby P social workers to appeal

Baby P social workers to appeal

Sharon Shoesmith has defended two of Baby P's social workers after they were granted leave to appeal against an employment tribunal judgment that they were fairly sacked.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

First Star Foster Children Issues and News

First Star Foster Children Issues and News

For students in foster care, staying in school can be difficult when moving around different homes is part of their reality. Less than a third of students in foster care graduated on time in 2010, and about a quarter dropped out of high school.

Welfare Queens will be Reported to Child Abuse Hotline, If Drug Test Positive

Welfare Queens will be Reported to Child Abuse Hotline, If Drug Test Positive

With the start of a new law Friday requiring applicants for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program to test for drugs, a new rule will also require that anyone who fails, be reported to the state’s child abuse hotline.

Social workers in more than 50 councils have high caseloads

Social workers in more than 50 councils have high caseloads

The average social worker is dealing with between 20 and 30 cases at any time in 57 local authorities across England, a report by the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) has found.

Shoesmith defends Baby P social workers as they win right to appeal

Shoesmith defends Baby P social workers as they win right to appeal

THE Haringey council chief who became a figure of hate after the death of Baby P today defended the social workers who were sacked over the tragedy.

Halle Berry Is in Court Over Custody Issues

Halle Berry Is in Court Over Custody Issues

Halle Berry filed documents in family court this morning accusing baby daddy Gabriel Aubry of violating the terms of their custody agreement regarding three-year old daughter Nahla. TMZ says:

Halle Berry Files Claims On Ex-Boyfriend For Violating Child Custody Agreement

Custody Battle Between Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubry Gets Uglier

Mother-of-six who claimed £60,000 in benefits for nine children she INVENTED is jailed

Mother-of-six who claimed £60,000 in benefits for nine children she INVENTED is jailed

A mother-of-six who claimed more than £62,000 in benefits for nine children she invented was jailed for eight months today.

Shock at child sex abuse failures



Key agencies involved in child protection have failed to put in place "basic processes" to stop sexual abuse

Take a clear and critical look at Bachmann’s version of fact

Take a clear and critical look at Bachmann’s version of fact

Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., who announced her candidacy for the 2012 presidential election, would do well to clarify the items below. Sheryl Gay Stolberg, a well-known New York Times reporter, interviewed Bachmann on one of her frequent claims:

Note: Michelle Bachmann is a bought and sold system suck who uses her time as a foster parent to propel herself to the moral high-ground, disregardless of the fact that like any other foster parent she is aiding and abetting the child protective industry in the stealing of your children.

Grandparents raising kids among victims of budget ax

Grandparents raising kids among victims of budget ax

Julie Bender glows when she talks about her grandson, Travon Jackson. Travon graduated from Troy High School last week and will attend Morehouse College in Atlanta on a full academic scholarship in September.

Accused Foster Parents In Abuse Case Expected In Court

Accused Foster Parents In Abuse Case Expected In Court

Two Yukon foster parents accused of gross child abuse are expected to be in court on Wednesday.

Foster parent pleads guilty to trying to film 15-year-old girl

Foster parent pleads guilty to trying to film 15-year-old girl

As far as first attempts at parenting go, things didn't go so well recently for a Staunton man.

Do Most Parents Spank or Hit their Kids?

Do Most Parents Spank or Hit their Kids?

Most parents spank their kids – I was truly surprised to hear this statement today, via an article in Time.com’s Healthland. Was I naive in thinking that with all our focus on child-centered parenting philosophies and positive discipline, that spanking was solidly out of style?

Court date set for Detroit woman accused of firing a gun at police

Court date set for Detroit woman accused of firing a gun at police

A preliminary examination will be held next month for a Detroit woman accused of firing a gun at police officers who were carrying out a court order to take her daughter, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.

Should Sick Mother Have Been Charged With Child Neglect After E.R. Visit?

Should Sick Mother Have Been Charged With Child Neglect After E.R. Visit?

​Let's say you're a single mother with four kids at home. This is very common.

State continues review of foster mom's murder

State continues review of foster mom's murder

When two 15-year-old girls in Treatment Foster Care placed in the home of Evelyn Miranda in San Patricio were charged with her murder June 9, questions started flying about agency procedures and oversight.

How to Subpoena a CPS File in California

How to Subpoena a CPS File in California

Child Protective Services, or CPS, is the California agency charged with intervening in homes where child abuse and/or neglect occurs. In extreme cases, CPS will remove the child from the home and make alternate living arrangements. Because of its important role in family matters, CPS often has information that can be useful in the court system. To acquire a CPS file regarding a particular child, a subpoena form specifically designed for documents is necessary.

CAS not required to provide membership list, justice of the peace rules

CAS not required to provide membership list, justice of the peace rules

An Ontario justice of the peace has dismissed a private prosecution charge brought against the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa by a former Crown ward after the society failed to provide him with a list of its members’ names and contact information.

Ex-foster father gets 12-year prison term for sexually abusing two boys in St. Paul

Ex-foster father gets 12-year prison term for sexually abusing two boys in St. Paul

"I'm sorry," Joseph Leonard Larson said today in Ramsey County District Court as he was about to be sentenced for sexually abusing two boys he was supposed to care for as a foster parent. "The impact of my crime on everyone is untold. I've lost family, friends, my sense of self."

CPS fails to report missing child, complicating search for killer

CPS fails to report missing child, complicating search for killer

Her life was turbulent from the beginning. Shannon Aumock was given up for adoption when she was 3 years old. Then by 10, her adoptive parents gave her back to the state. By 16, she was dead -- the victim of murder.

Foster dad gets 12 years in sex case

Foster dad gets 12 years in sex case

Joseph L. Larson never admitted he abused two foster children, but Ramsey County District Judge Joanne Smith said if the case had gone to a jury she expects he would have been found guilty.

Opinion: N.J. child abuse report terminology may mean life-or-death difference

Opinion: N.J. child abuse report terminology may mean life-or-death difference

It has been said that those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it. The purpose and intention of bill S1570 is to clarify and correct New Jersey law and its implementation by the Department of Children and Families. Sadly, recent history has shown us that child protection professionals’ possible misunderstanding of the use of the term “unfounded” in child abuse investigative reports may have resulted in failure to protect some abused and neglected children from continued risk of maltreatment and even death.

Halle Berry Accuses Ex Gabrel Aubry of Child Neglect

Halle Berry Accuses Ex Gabrel Aubry of Child Neglect

The battle over Nahla rages on.

During a Tuesday appearance in family court, Oscar winner Halle Berry accused her ex, Gabriel Aubry, of violating the April custody agreement involving their 3-year-old daughter

Charlie Sheen's ex orders Warner Bros to pay her $55k-a-month child support directly from his severance pay

Charlie Sheen's ex orders Warner Bros to pay her $55k-a-month child support directly from his severance pay

Brooke Mueller is so worried that ex-husband Charlie Sheen won't pay her child support that she's persuaded a judge to order Warner Bros. to send $55,000 of Charlie's money to her every month.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

One child protection system for all

One child protection system for all

On the back of revelations that Indonesian teenagers are being housed in adult prisons, there have been calls this week by the Children's Commissioners for Queensland and New South Wales for a national children's watchdog. And on this site Dr Lynette Buoy, the CEO of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare has drawn attention to the Victorian Government's inquiry into vulnerable children.

Stephanopoulos Warns Bachmann: MSM Will Investigate Your 23 Foster Children

Stephanopoulos Tries Savaging Bachmann

ABC News' George Stephanopoulos said the media plans on investigating all 23 of Michele Bachmann's foster children, tries to get her to say she'd eliminate the minimum wage, tries to stir up trouble between her and Palin, and debates her about the founding fathers and slavery.

Defense: Social worker's mistakes contributed to killer foster mom's delusional behavior

Defense: Social worker's mistakes contributed to killer foster mom's delusional behavior

A San Francisco social worker charged with overseeing foster care of a twin boy and girl who were tortured in their Antioch home for years once told their foster mother that if the girl acted up in her house, "she would hit her, too," a defense attorney said Tuesday at the opening of Shemeeka Davis' sanity trial.

Is Shaken Baby Syndrome Real?

Is Shaken Baby Syndrome Real?

Melonie Ware was a daycare provider in Georgia who was sentenced to life in prison for shaking a nine-month-old baby to death in 2004. But in a 2009 retrial, a court declared that the medical examiner's findings were insufficient, concluding that the baby most likely died because complications due to sickle-cell anemia, and acquitted Ware.

A leading specialist in child protection estimates 10% of New Zealand children are brought up in abusive households.

A leading specialist in child protection estimates 10% of New Zealand children are brought up in abusive households.

The comment was made on Tuesday, at the inquest in Auckland into the deaths of Cru and Chris Kahui, three-month-old twins who died from traumatic head injuries in 2006.

Note: How much do you think this person got to sign off on this study?

Mama Bachmann's 23 foster children not immune from press inquiry

It is inevitable, now that Michelle Bachmann wants to be president, that the media will drag up her 23 foster children and release anything relevant about any of them as it relates to her ability to run this country.

Mama Bachmann's 23 foster children not immune from press inquiry

Loss of anonymity for expert witnesses will undermine child protection

Loss of anonymity for expert witnesses will undermine child protection

Fewer health professionals will come forward as expert witnesses in child protection cases after losing their anonymity and immunity from being sued, the chief executive of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has warned.

What’s the Latest Outrage About Foster Care? Identity Theft

What’s the Latest Outrage About Foster Care? Identity Theft

Wow. This is one I didn’t see coming. It never occurred to me. This article tells us about yet another outrage of the foster care system - identity theft (Sacramento Bee, 6/26/11).

DCF: Positive drug test will lead to child abuse hotline referral

DCF: Positive drug test will lead to child abuse hotline referral

Starting next month, Florida's social service agency will refer every welfare applicant who fails a drug test to a child abuse hotline.

Failed drug test risky for parents

Calls for independent children's guardian in Victoria

Calls for independent children's guardian in Victoria

The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare is calling on the Victorian Government to establish an independent children's guardian as part of an overhaul of the state's child protection system.

Manager of N.J. child abuse hotline is fired following case of 8-year-old Irvington girl

Manager of N.J. child abuse hotline is fired following case of 8-year-old Irvington girl

The manager of the state’s child abuse hotline was fired Monday, making her the first casualty in the scandal surrounding a mishandled hotline call about an 8-year-old Irvington girl found dead in her home nine days later.

The Child Cases

The Child Cases

Sudden child deaths are often assumed to be murder and caregivers are frequently the accused. FRONTLINE, ProPublica and NPR investigate, uncovering evidence of questionable convictions...

Foster Care bill lets taxpayers help put children in good homes

Foster Care bill lets taxpayers help put children in good foster homes

House Bill 604 creates the Foster Care and Adoptive Parents Recruitment and Retention Fund.

There are more than 10,000 Missouri children in foster care. Of those, approximately 1,400 will not be able to return safely to their homes and are awaiting adoptive families. Missouri lawmakers are trying to help that situation and get more kids into good homes.

Note: notice how this article assumes that foster homes are good.

Jersey child abuse inquiry review 'misleading'

Jersey child abuse inquiry review 'misleading'

The man in charge of Jersey's historic child abuse inquiry has said he hopes a fresh investigation into how money was spent would "clear things up".

Senate Caucus on Foster Youth

Senate Caucus on Foster Youth

At the 10thanniversary celebration of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independent Program (independent living) in December 2009, Senator Grassley (R-IA) and Senator Landrieu (D-LA) announced the creation of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth. The purpose of this caucus is to focus on the needs of older youth in foster care and on those of young adults who “age-out” of the system.

‘Terrified’ Quebec mom faces Saudi court

‘Terrified’ Quebec mom faces Saudi court

Nathalie Morin is a long way from home with the odds stacked against her.

Birmingham social worker in costly conduct case for £15 high street rip-off

Birmingham social worker in costly conduct case for £15 high street rip-off

A SOCIAL worker for Birmingham City Council was hauled before a misconduct committee after receiving a police caution for conning a high street store out of £15.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Rand Paul to John Pistole: You're Clueless

Dear Mr. President

Why do they steal so many kids? The poor are easy targets.



As the debate over deficits ramped up in Washington on Monday, Sen. Bernie Sanders laid out the compelling case not to slash programs for working families. Any deficit reduction package must rely on new revenue for at least half the reduction in red ink, he added in a major address in the Senate. Sanders spoke at length about what caused deficits (wars, Wall Street bailouts, tax breaks for the rich) and how to shrink them (more revenue from the wealthiest Americans to match spending cuts). He urged fellow senators not to yield to Republican congressional leaders who "acted like schoolyard bullies" when they walked out of budget negotiations. He summed up the situation in a letter to the president that had been signed by more than 16,000 people by the time he completed his speech.

Mother and Baby Reunited in Spain

Mother and Baby Reunited in Spain

Two weeks ago, Care2 reported that Spanish social services had taken a baby away because her mother refused to wean. The mother, known as Habiba, had moved into a women’s shelter in Madrid with her 15 month old daughter, known as Alma. On May 31, Habiba’s daughter was taken away from her because she refused to forcibly wean her baby. Habiba was also criticized for cosleeping with her baby instead of putting her in a cot. On June 22, they were finally reunited after a social services committee overturned the earlier removal.

Family Court Evaluator Spied on Employees with Hidden Bathroom Camera

Family Court Evaluator Spied on Employees with Hidden Bathroom Camera

​We've written before about growing concerns over the competence, ethics, and eccentricities of psychological experts tasked with making decisions in California's family courts. These experts make enormously consequential recommendations to judges in disputed child-custody cases, but some question whether the decisions they make are always based on sound methods.

Chuck Liddell Takes HUGE HIT In Custody Fight

Chuck Liddell Takes HUGE HIT In Custody Fight

Chuck Liddell got smacked around by his baby mama in court today -- when an L.A. judge ordered the fighter to pay $6,000 per month in child support after Chuck no-showed to the hearing.

Bristol Palin On Good Morning America: Virginity Was 'Stolen'

Bristol Palin On Good Morning America: Virginity Was 'Stolen'

Bristol Palin doesn't accuse the father of her baby, Levi Johnston, of date rape, but does say she felt her virginity was stolen. She was drunk and to her, that's how it felt.

Supreme Court to look at government regulation of broadcast profanity

Supreme Court to look at government regulation of broadcast profanity

The Supreme Court said Monday it will take another look at government efforts to regulate profanity and sexual content on broadcast television.

Homeless children: The hard times generation

Homeless children: The hard times generation

Unemployment continues to hover around nine percent and job creation is so slow, it'll be years before we get back the seven and a half million jobs lost in the Great Recession. American families have been falling out of the middle class in record numbers.

Special needs girl left with mother's corpse was let down by failing system: Watchdog

Special needs girl left with mother's corpse was let down by failing system: Watchdog

An investigation by B.C.’s child-welfare watchdog says a teen girl with Down syndrome, who was left alone with her mother’s decomposing body, was neglected by the system for about three years before her mother’s September 2010 death in a mobile-home park at Cultus Lake.

Indians pay surgeons to turn boys into girls

Indians pay surgeons to turn boys into girls

Indian doctors have been accused of conducting sex change operations on young girls whose parents want son to improve the family's income prospects.

Suspicious container turns out to be tin of beans

Suspicious container turns out to be tin of beans

In the interest of public safety, someone spilled the beans.

Washington State Patrol technicians deployed a “disrupter” bomb detonator this morning in the parking lot next to the Adult and Child protective services building at 208 W. Poplar St.

Note: Seems like CPS is getting a wee bit paranoid these days. But why?

Court Denies Appeal by Gibson's Ex Over Attorneys

Court Denies Appeal by Gibson's Ex Over Attorneys

A California appeals court has rejected a bid by Mel Gibson's ex-girlfriend to remove his attorneys from a contentious child custody case because she consulted with one of their law partners.

Bill to expand the definition of child abuse

Bill to expand the definition of child abuse

THE definition of child abuse will be expanded to include witnessing domestic violence, under a bill to be introduced to the Senate, strengthening the Family Court's ability to protect children from violent homes.

Seattle Times special report: Twisted ethics of an expert witness

Seattle Times special report: Twisted ethics of an expert witness

Earlier this year, a four-page document with a bland title, "Stipulation for Dismissal with Prejudice," was filed in a civil matter percolating on the King County Courthouse's ninth floor. Hardly anyone took notice. Most everyone had moved on.

Seattle Times special report: Twisted ethics of an expert witness

Seattle Times special report: Twisted ethics of an expert witness

Earlier this year, a four-page document with a bland title, "Stipulation for Dismissal with Prejudice," was filed in a civil matter percolating on the King County Courthouse's ninth floor. Hardly anyone took notice. Most everyone had moved on.

State Department report ranks countries on human trafficking

State Department report ranks countries on human trafficking

Human trafficking is flourishing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, North Korea, Saudi Arabia and Iran, with little effort by the countries' governments to combat it, the U.S. State Department said Monday.

DCYF lawsuit hearing




Man claims he was abused during his time in the Rhode Island DCYF.

Casey Anthony Trial: Rubbernecking Orlando's Newest Tourist Attraction

Note: Proof that people need to get a life.

Casey Anthony Trial: Rubbernecking Orlando's Newest Tourist Attraction

The Casey Anthony trial is becoming a tourist draw. Long lines in Orlando are nothing new, but there are no animatronics here - no singing animals or amiably drunken pirates - only the defendant, whose world may be very small for a very long time if she is convicted of killing Caylee Marie, her 2-year-old daughter.

Ending South Korea’s Child Export Shame – Analysis

Ending South Korea’s Child Export Shame – Analysis


South Korea is on the verge of changing its reputation as the world’s leading baby exporter to a world leader in grassroots adoption reform. The first-ever birth mother, unwed mother, and adoptee co-authored bill is moving toward a National Assembly vote with government sponsorship.

Daddy, Why Is My School Falling Down?

Daddy, Why Is My School Falling Down?

The troops returning from Afghanistan this year face a bleak homecoming: the nation's commitment to their families is flagging--particularly at the broken-down schools that serve soldiers' kids.

Vic child protection 'must be reviewed'

Vic child protection 'must be reviewed'

Victoria's child protection system could be improved if government decisions could be independently reviewed, according to submissions to be made to a Melbourne inquiry.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

UNR graduate finds biological parents after almost 30 years

UNR graduate finds biological parents after almost 30 years

Korean Air flight KA02 took University of Nevada, Reno graduate Nathan Sung Budziak to Seoul, South Korea, on April 23.

The State vs Autism Families

The State vs Autism Families

A series of disturbing news stories paints a grim picture of the State’s intervention in the families of individuals with autism.

CPS Didn’t Call the Father; His Child was Killed

CPS Didn’t Call the Father; His Child was Killed

I’ve written before about the Urban Institute study that shows that, when they’re thinking of taking a child from its mother, or have done so, child welfare agencies routinely ignore the father as a possible placement. Instead they go straight to foster care to meet the child’s needs. The Urban Institute found that, even though they know the identity of the father in over 85% of cases, he’s contacted in fewer than half.

Foster parent death shocks community

Foster parent death shocks community

NEIGHBOURS of a woman who gave up her job to become a foster parent have spoken of their shock and sadness at her death.

Our Hell story continuing on and on and on.

Hello,

I am a parent, along with his mother, of a 13 1/2 year old boy with non verbal LF Autism. His long time pediatrician turned us in behind our back to social services because we rescheduled an annual physical. She also told them that we were homeschooling him. This all started three years ago yesterday.

Since then, he has been court ordered to attend public school, which he has been doing. We were court ordered a typical “service plan” that they give all parents of children they take away. Try to say their crazy and need mental health care so on and so on. It never ends with what they come up with to keep the child away longer and longer.

We have jumped through all of their hoops and complied with every single court order and have gone through two Guardian Ad Litems, the first one quit because he could not deal with it and this is our second caseworker. The first one we had lied constantly about us in all of her court reports and to everyone she talked to.

She stayed on our case longer than she was legally by DDHS policy, supposed to just so she could take our son away. Once she accomplished that, she quit her job to work for the Rocky Mountain Children’sLaw Center. Talk about a hypocrite. Her name is Sarah Dambrov. Our current GAL, Marne Melun and caseworker, Annette ware, is refusing to give our son back. Along with the Magistrate who seems to always side with state no matter what.

He’s in a horrible group home, where he does not belong, for over a year now because he missed some school in the year before this last school year. He has a safe, loving, home to be in, but they want to continue to warehouse him in a neglectful, loud, chaotic, broken down group home.

He has SID, sensory integration disorder, and now he has SIB, self injurious behavior, due to being in that group home.

There are boys there who are screaming and screeching all day long and it bothers our child so bad that he will scratch up his back.

He does not belong there or in ANY other foster care place. He loves and needs us and we love and need him. He shows us every time we visit him at that crappy group home full of noise, flies and germs, safety hazards, violation codes, etc.

He gets sick very easily and he has been sick the entire time he has been there.
They also neglected his hands which would get dry and crack and get infected. He has sensitive skin and they have been told this over and over again. They ignored his hands even though we told them about his hands and the infected cuts. He ended up getting Cellulitis in both hands and had to be treated at the Children’s Hospital’s Burn Center for 2 months and have his hands, which are everything to him, wrapped completely in casts. He has suffered so much due to that group home being neglectful, having no knowledge of Autism and their special needs, not having enough staff on hand, on and on and on.

They of course took no responsibility for what they caused, whether it was caused purposely or not. They are responsible for everything that happens to those boys who are supposed to be in their care 24/7. They are all Line Of Sight children.

His front tooth has broken off and been fixed four different times since he has been in that group home and yet no one knew what happened or how it happened. They also have safety code violations galore in that home and if you tell anyone in authority, they get revenge on you.

He has NEVER had any of those kinds of health problems or incidents when he lived at home with us. He would get sick from being at school, that’s it. Now he is sick all the time from living with 10 boys/men in that group home. I say men because they range in ages from 10-21. He has to share a room with 3-4 other boys which is ridiculous. Also because Sarah, the first caseworker court ordered him to have his own bedroom when he was living here at home. Now look, and SHE did it.

The magistrate refuses to agree that he should be brought home now. She always sides with “them”. The evil ones.

The court appointed lawyer doesn’t do much at all. Every time we try and get a new judge, GAL, caseworker, lawyer, we are talked out of it, or simply told we can’t.

The latest is that the group home has kicked me, his other parent, out of the group home for telling a screaming boy/man, 20 years old, to stop screaming and be quiet because he was disturbing our child, causing him to scratch up his back and making it bleed. They didn’t care that this other “boy” in this group home was screaming his guts out and upsetting our boy.

An overkill, haste and petty reaction to something that they should have helped taken care of. The assistant to the group home, Leah Bennett, called the caseworker, the director, and the police because a parent was frustrated that they weren’t doing anything to help the situation. They didn’t care that our child was scratching up his back and making it bleed because of this other 20 year old.

Playing favorites are they? We asked them to help over and over but they would not do anything to try to help. They refused to talk to me about the situation and my stress from my child being upset and in pain because of this child/man. All that group home does is make up lies, always have from the beginning.


We love our child and he loves us.

He missed some school one year, that’s it. They rip a child out of his loving home and away from his loving parents for over a year for that??? That’s INSANE.

DDHS/CPS is extremely misguided. Bottom line, they need to be stopped. Why are they allowed to do what they do? Rip families apart? Devastate and Destroy families and innocent children, especially special needs children who have loving parents and safe homes to live in.

A devastated soul because of DDHS.

Thank you.

Also,

No One on our case knows anything about Autism and they will not learn even when they are told by experts. They all refuse to listen.

Denise
Denver, CO
Denver County

Please, is there any one out there who can help bring these children, our beloved, precious child home where he has always belonged?.

Thank you for reading my story.

The Sheeple of North America

I love this video.



Http://www.peoplestandup.ca
This video is remix of Payday Monsanto, Sheeple Of Amerika . Most of the pictures where done by dees illustration cartoonist. The video speaks for it self, I will let you be judge!
thanks peoplestandup.ca

The God Of Child Welfare Reform - Baby LK Report For June 26th 2011



The God Of Child Welfare Reform - Baby LK Report For June 26th 2011

For these stories and all the latest dirt on the child protective industry visithttp://www.LegallyKidnapped.blogspot.com

This week:

One of Baby P's Killers gets out of jail in 6 weeks.

The Governator starts paying child support.

Whining Kids are the most annoying thing that adults have to listen to...

And much much more.

Candidate For Mayor In Portland Maine Explains His Domestic Violence Charge



Erick Bennett

A long road to a safe place: Children in state-licensed residential programs still face risk of injury

A long road to a safe place: Children in state-licensed residential programs still face risk of injury

Something as simple as a dispute about a piece of cake or as ugly as a trash can planted on a spitting child's head can lead to confrontation, injury and trauma for children in state-licensed facilities.

Prostitutes in Colombia unite against child abuse

Prostitutes in Colombia unite against child abuse

Prostitutes have united in Colombia's port city and popular tourist destination, Cartagena, with the hopes of protecting children from an international network of pimps and sexual predators, AFP reports.

Russian native in Memphis fights for American dream after 'bad adoption'

Russian native in Memphis fights for American dream after 'bad adoption'

When she arrived in Memphis 11 years ago, even a short car trip left her with motion sickness. That seemed like ancient history when Elena Mordvina got her driver's license at the end of March.

Warning on foster care costs

Warning on foster care costs

THE average cost of placing vulnerable children in foster care run by charities and children's welfare groups is four times more than out-of-home care run by DOCS, an analysis of the government's figures reveals.

'It knew this child was in danger': After three years, DCFS reveals account of boy's death

'It knew this child was in danger': After three years, DCFS reveals account of boy's death

It took three years for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to release to the public its account of Joseph Schoolfield's death.

From Natasha

I was ward of the court for ten years. Taken from my mom when she went to prison. I had a good fosterhome for a couple years but she was really sick and a few years after leaving her home she died. Group homes shelters running away. Not getting the real help needed. All the caseworker and councelors. After then being placed with my sisters adopted dad who had became a licenced foster parent began having sex with me at 15 and lasted past turning of age. No high school no ged no young adult program. After leaving my sisters adopted dad at 20 i became a drug addict on the streets prostuting. Became prgnent and ended up in a relationship whith my sisters adopted dads brother for six years 2 kids still addicted to drugs and not happy. After him trying to kill himself and loosing our home me and my 2 kids not his their fathers unknown left and ended up with another man 20 years older two more kids still struggling with an addiction. Trying to learn to be normal and a good mom and partner. Its so hard because our live arnt even close to be able to understand. trusting loving growing family its all not normal for us. All i want is some faith in myself be a good mom go to school get some teeth and leave all the unhappyness behind.

By Diana

I had solely raised my 8 1/2 year old daughter. The father and I were on friendly terms, but he did not want much responsibility as a parent. He was chronically unemployed, and found women to support him.

His child support was sporadic,whatever he wanted to contribute, if at all. When my daughter was 7 I met a single father whose boy was the same age as my daughter. There was so much chemistry between the 4 of us. We ended up getting married. Our marriage created much jealousy on the part of my daughter's father. So even though he was with another woman who financially "took care of him" he still considered me AS HIS OWN. He started uch trouble when I married and tried to breakup my husband and I, which created much stress.

The big problem began when I flew my daughter into Las Vegas to visit with her father. I would return the following week, pick her up, and myself, my daughter, my husband and my step son were all going to take a trip to Bangkok, Thailand. My daughter was very excited about this trip, much more excited than being at her father's for a visit. Her father became furious with me that my daughter was looking more forward to going to Bankgkok with my husband and I , than her visit with him. He started telling me he would do everything within his power to have my daughter taken away from me, "EVEN IF I HAVE TO MARRY SABRINAH".(Sabrinah being the woman he lived with, who supported him, and who,was childless and not able to conceive the baby she longed for.

A week later when I called my daughter to tell her I was picking her up, her father told me "Chariese is not going with you. You are not going to get her back You will have to take me to court." Very upset, but thinking his threats were just another ploy to break up my new husband and I, we went on the trip because all travel arrangements had been made and we couldn't cancel. Needless to say, the trip was not enjoyable for any of us. Upon returning to the U.S. , I called the Father's house, and he informed me he was not returning my daughter Chariese. I would have to take him to court.

I myself filed a complaint with the Sacramento County D.A.s office, and started court proceedings to have my daughter returned to me. About 5 weeks after the showdown with my daughters father, a Sacramento District Attorney's investigator and a Sacramento County sheriff deputy, court orders in hand,flew to Las Vegas to retrieve my daughter. My daughter was attending school at the same school where her father's girlfriend taught school. Upon landing back in Sacramento the sheriff depute took me aside and said "Your daughter appears to be brainwashed. Saying over and over again she did not want to be with her mother, etc." Two days after Chariese's return to Me, her mother, I received a call from Mary Barryman, from the Sacramento County child protective services who stated she had just taken my daughter and my step son out of their class, and questioned them about child abuse and neglect charges that had been made against my husband and I .

I assumed it was either my daughter's father, or his (now newly wedded wife whom he had married the day Chariese was returned to me by the D.A. investigator). Ms. Barryman informed me that after questioning both my daughter and her step brother, that she found the allegations of abuse and neglect to be false. My daughter's father and his new wife were now fighting for full custody of my daughter in the upcoming court custody date of March 6. During the hearing, the judge gave temporary physical custody to the father because of the Child Protective Services report. He said a court appointed mediator would make the determination as to what was in the C.P.S. report. I would still have shared legal custody over my daughter. The court mediator, a local psychologist, charged $500 a session. Sabrinah, my daughter's new stepmother, piped in that she would pay for the court mediator.

-----

(continuation of story). I also want to mention the fatal flaw on my part that turned the tide completely against me. I was naive and innocent of court procedures. My friends all urged me to hire a family law lawyer. I simply did not understand the court system. My reasoning was, I was her mother, I raised my daughter on my own, I had done nothing wrong. Why did I need a lawyer? It was thisfatal flaw that turned the tides. I discovered that if you don't have a lawyer to protect your interests, you have just handed the case over to the other party. No one listens to you when you don't have a lawyer. Meetings between the judge and other side attorney go on without you. Anyway, the court mediator turned to my daughter's father during our joint session, and stated that since the allegations inside the C.P.S. report were false, Chariese would be returned to her mother. This reinforced a false sense of security inside me, that I had made the correct decision." See, I didn't need to hire a lawyer after all. I had done nothing wrong, and my daughter would be returned to me. Only the C.P.S. report never showed up at any of the court hearing, where I showed up without a lawyer, once again. Over the summer I tried in vain to get in touch with my daughter. The house phone at her father's house was plugged into the FAX machine. I sent Faxes, sent my child letters, cards and gifts in the mail . None were acknowledged. I finally hired a lawyer. You get what you pay for. This guy was very inexpensive compared to the other highly recommended by friends family law lawyers. My lawyer , through the father's lawyer, made sure the phone was now unattached to the FAX machine. Only now, no one ever anwered the phone the phone at the other end. With each new hearing, I lost more and more custody rights with my daughter. Six months had passed without any contact with my child. No acknowledgement on her end. The final custody hearing in September, I showed my (cheapo)lawyer documented communications on how I had tried to contact my dayghter, including flying to Las Vegas, approaching the house, and no one ever answering the door, nor returning my phone calls at the hotel I was staying. My lawyer patted me on the arm and said:"Just put that information away for right now." 1/2 hour after the hearing, I was told by my lawyer that the court had determined I had abandoned my daughter. THat there had been no contact with her in 6 months and the only way I could see her would be with court supervised visitation. Any phone calls, or written letters would be monitored. I was floored. I was devastated. It was my daughters 9 th birthday and one of my sisters had called the Las Vegas house. This phone call would take place one month prior to the final September court hearing where Iwas charged with child abandonment. The now step mother answered the phone. My sister stated she was calling Chariese to wish her a happy birthday, to tell Chariese her mother and her mother's family loved her, they were thinking of her, etc. Sabrinah informed my sister that no one in Chariese's mother's family would ever see Chariese again. That she was no longer considered a part of our family, we were to forget she ever existed. And also, don't ever call again. Click. Mysister was also stunned and hurt. She couldn't even imagine what I was going through. In a daze, I signed papers consenting to the supervised visitation. It was up to be to make the appointment dates. And tried I did. Each time I called to make an appointment, I was informed of one excuse or another as to why the appointment could not be made. One lame excuse was that it was Christmas time and the Wetzlers (my daughter's last name and father and now step mother) had out of town guests and couldn't take time out for me to visit. Needless to say, my marriage fell apart, my entire life disenigrated. My emotions collapsed. The woman who could not have her own child, now had my beloved daughter as her . Itried for years to get in touch with my child. For 5 more years I sent more gifts, letters cards. They were never acknowledged. Trips tothe Las Vegas house met with the same response. No one answered the door. No one returned phone calls. I was financially destitute. My father had given me as much money as he could for the inept lawyer I had hired. There was no more. I had a complete breakdown, and literally disappeared off the face of the earth from family, friends. 14 years would pass before I was "found" by an Orange County, Ca sheriff's deputy, and told I was on a missing persons list. My family was searching for me. These two, my daughter's father, and his wife, had not stoppedtrying tonsteal morefrom me. For the past three years they had been trying to claim an inheritance left to me by my now deceased father, in my daughter's name. My family fought their continual petitions to have me declared legally dead. Fortunately they found me in time. I would eventually be reunited with my now 24 year old daughter, almost 16 years after her father refused to let me to take her on a trip to Thailand. My daughter has so much bitter anamosity toward me, that I had abandoned her. She is very psychologically and emotionally traumatized from having all connections with her mother and her mother's family severed a decade and a half ago. She blames me. She blames my family, Her "wonderful" step mother had even placed my daughter on her own family tree. She had completely taken over my role as mother. The problem in my child custody case, was not necessarily Child Protective Services. The CPS social worker told me that the allegations of abuse and neglect were false. My problem was my naivity in thinking I didn't hire a lawyer to protect my rights. By the time I hired , the cheapest one I could find, he proved himself to be inept, ineffective, and maybe even "on the take". The C.P.S. report that was to return my daughter to me, disappeared and never showed up in the court system. The domineering step mother who could not have her own baby, had completely taken over my daughter as her own. Two lives have been nearly desatroyed by "the system" Both my daughter and I are victims. her more so than me. She was just a sweet innocent 8 1/2 year old caught up in a web of deception.

From Milinda

Children and youth threatened me that they would give my baby to her abusive father if I don’t stop asking for help against him. I haven’t seen her in 9 months. my daughter was taken by the father and backed by cys and then Northampton county court system backed cys because I could not control my emotions when acted out in despair........the facts are disregarded by lawyers, the courts and children and youth because his family can submit creditability by dating a judge's daughter back in 2009/10. He said you will never see the light of another day when we are threw with you, he implied that the judge put his daughter’s ex-husband in jail and he will never see the light of another day. if this is a fact, how could I protect myself....children and youth lied, supervisor lied to back up the women I asked help from....my daughter told that women in my house that she was being hurt at here dads, and at court she lied.....her are some more stories.... help us please....Dear Representative Samuelson,

What happened to justice and saving our children from abuse? I wanted to protect my daughter from abuse and instead I was threatened not to seek for abuse allegations against my baby’s daddy or I will lose my daughter. I haven’t seen her for 9 months. She is being hidden spite the fact I went 10 hours west to run from the abuse. So much to tell. My evidence, my truth, my honesty has been blackballed from the justice system. Whose side are you on? here are some more stories..... Save our Pittsburgh, PA Reply » |Report Abuse |Judge it! |#21 Apr 4, 2007 Judged: 1 o that is Washington county cys me Chesterfield, MO Reply » |Report Abuse |Judge it! |#22 Apr 6, 2007 Judged: 1 Washington County CYS is a joke, they do what they want when they want and no one can stop them, I don't even think Judge Mascara will go against them. I think the caseworkers and the attorney for the children have something going on because the attorney for the children don't want to listen either and he/she should be supporting the children NOT cys. Even if you do find an attorney to represent you, they won't really fight for your rights either, just take your money. I know there is a particular caseworker there and she is a real piece of work, young and thinks she owns the world. Her supervisor won't even go against her. Sad, really sad. I know what you mean Dunbar, PA Reply » |Report Abuse |Judge it! |#23 Apr 7, 2007 Judged: 1 prayingforamiracle wrote: my children ages (13, 8&9mths which is handicapped) have been taken recently from our home on hearsay of abuse my 13yr old which is an honor roll student in school and has won 2 international poetry awards is being held in a place for behavioral problem children along with my niece about to be 15 the younger children have been separated from each other we are crying out for any legal advice we can get. No questions of medical histories were ever asked about any of them and my baby is handicapped with recent surgery. If anyone has any information that would help this situation pls respond to cpandabare_1@yahoo.com and my heart TRULY goes out to all those in the same torture.....GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!!!!

From Christina

My 4 yr old daughter Accalia has been apprehended by childwelfare under the suspision of her father residing with me. We have a no contact order in place accept for phone contact due to us having large arguments in the past.

The worker Adana called around to my day home and my landlord got an email from my landlord stating that Shane had been at the house . The three month order was not enough for these people they dug around till they found the tiniest shard of evidence and showed up with 2 police officers at the door and an apprehension order, she was at her day home, the father not present the went and picked her up from the zoo and threw her into a foster home asap.

Since they have taken her they have offered no support or say as to when she will be returned to her happy, loving home. There where no other concerns with parenting or any abuse allegations, no drugs or alcohol involved. seems like they where going to steal her no matter what, having me attend counciling and have meetings with her was all a big distraction to their ultimate goal.

My old youth worker as a child was the one to bring the apprehension order to my door ,he used to be like a friend, the more you trust one of these people the more you get screwed over.

I talked briefly to my little girl in the foster home, I was told not to call her # she has to do the calling ...my little girl said "I love you mommy" and handed the phone back, the foster mom goes "she doesn't want to talk to you ". I asked the police to just shoot me on the way out since my life had just been stolen from me, why send 4 people to steal someones child? does the government really need to bully people to this extent?

If they cant use your history as a youth or criminal record (if you don't have one they might make one for you ) ei, I got charged with assult for punching my ex when he strangled me ,even though the charges where dropped the cops still where corrupt.As I look at her little sneakers by the door and her little sweater hanging there ,is this really necessary ?cant they provide services to help people instead of deceiving and destroying their lives.every day is lonely and sad without her .cfs are monster the ripped out my heart.

By Vickie

My name is Vicki Lambou and I am reporting some horrendous struggles I am having with the Department of Family Services in Las Vegas, Nevada.

I have been fostering to adopt two sibling boys for three years now! The adoption was suppose to be finalized by June of this year or the Judge on March 17th 2011 had threatened to fine the D.F.S. with multiple "ASFA" fines! We began picking out our new last names in March of this year.

This has been a real struggle but the boys and I have come a long way and we have overcome many obstacles. They were flourishing in my care.

The children have a history of neglect, FAS/ADHD/PTSD/DEPRESSION, and SEXUALLY ABUSE. They were five and two when the came to live in my care. Neither was potty trained, they both had abandonment and attachment issues. They were underweight and developmentally behind. By the grace of God, prayer, consistency and lots of love, today you would never know. Matthew and Brandon are too very wonderful and amazingly resilient little boys that have brought great joy to not only my life but to many others also that have been a part of it these past three years.

Over the course of three years we have had 4 - 5 different permanency case workers, and no case worker at all for a while sending a CPS worker in the process of training a new CPS worker to our home for a permanency check! Our adoption paperwork has fallen through the cracks and lost having to be done over by me. I understand that the department is overwhelmed, understaffed and has looming budget cuts! I get that.

In short; I had a babysitter in Jan of 2011 that I was going to hire and I began to train her and start the process as I have done in the past. Quickly I felt uncomfortable with her presence around the children and I so I released her after a very brief training period of only three weeks. Being disgruntled she contacted the D.F.S. with all kinds of outlandish accusations about me! These accusations have not been substantiated!

Needless to say before they had substantiated any claims of neglect or abuse on my part they removed the children from my home on Thursday March 24th one week after our last status court hearing. The children who had been in my care for three years now and were soon to be my adopted sons!

This Thursday it will 7 weeks that the children and I have not had any contact with each-other for the first time in three years! I now know that the oldest child, Matthew now 8, is now is living in a group home due to "behavior problems" and Brandon now 5 years old with another Foster Family, separating the children. This was Matthews greatest fear! To be separated from everything and everyone that he considers his home and family! The children have been taken suddenly while we were all doing well! They have lost their places in their schools, tutoring, counselling, doctors appointments, all contact with me and their friends, and now they have lost each-other! This has to be extremely traumatizing and confusing to the children! I am traumatized as well and missing the children terribly.

The DFS and CPS to my understanding have not been able to substantiate any claims of abuse and/or neglect by me or others while in my care. Still no one to my knowledge has contacted the teachers, the counselors, the schools, the doctors, my housekeeper, my co-workers or other people that really know me and the children to find out the truth! No one has contacted me to provide any information what-so-ever. Meanwhile the children suffer. I am not asking for anyone to advocate for me but the children need a voice. This is a horrible thing to do to these children who have already been through way more than any child should ever have to.

Not everyone is a scumbag!! I have no problem with an investigation if it is done forthrightly, expeditiously and all the while keeping the best interest of the children in mind. This is not in the best interest of these children. I'm horrified that they have been removed from my care and separated from each-other two months before the judge mandated that our adoption process be finalized!

The children deserve better than this. They deserve a loving forever family free from the fear that they can lose it all at any moment.


Vicki Lambou
Las Vegas, Nevada
“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
—Mark 10:13-16

From Christine & Jason

My husband and I were told by FACS that we could not have anymore time with our son Devin. They have it in their head that I am not capable of taking care of an infant but an older child maybe. But whatever comes out of the mouths of FACS's jerks are just a bunch of lies. Now we cannot see him until he is 16 years old and he was born January 1st, 2010. (Devin Morey, we just want you to know that we love you with the most deepest of feelings and will never stop because you are our sweet little boy).

Saturday, June 25, 2011

From Amy

DCS is telling me that my 11 yr old has to be raised as an only child, without a man in the house. she is the second of four children. she is in a children's home while the other three are with my mother until i am able to get a house big enough for all of them to have a room of their own. this has been going on for almost 3 years now. i was told i was being selfish and needed to quit school until they were grown, when in fact my student loans was part of my income, and was only in a two yr program that would have brought in more money when i graduated. i am soooo tired of the dcs in Indiana that i could puke. they have kept my daughter away form her family and on several different meds. where in the hell are my parental rights????

From Cinnamon

I was thrown out of family court in Adams County Colorado to day for not giving the Magistarte the answer she WANTED to hear. When asked "What exactly is your problem" I responded that the Respondent and his attorney are liars and continue to lie in this court & are allowed to do so. I was then told to leave her court room. Theres some justice for my children. Call the attorney out on dishonesty and get nailed to a wall for it. Lie & you WILL retain custody so that you may further abuse your children and your ex - GO ADAMS COUNTY!!!!!

Submitted by Lori

I am a Grandmother and a defendant being prosecuted in Muskegon County, MI for the crime of wanting to bring my grandchildren home. Although it is not a crime to ask for guardianship of your grandchildren the state will pay a prosecutor to take away the rights of grandparents and other family members keeping children in foster care and then adopting them out.

I have to ask myself, why is the government of the country I am citizen of and pay taxes to prosecuting me? I have committed no crime nor have I been accused of a crime.

I was given 3 reasons by DHS several months after the children were removed why they would not place them with me. 1. I was living in a 2 bedroom apartment and there were 4 children. 2. I was working part time and I would need to be working full time in order to support them. 3. Moving them out of state would interfere with reunification efforts. There was no mention of becoming a foster parent although I learned later that it was a requirement as well. I have done everything required of me. I moved to larger home to accommodate the children indeed I bought a 5 bedroom 3 bath home. I was able to secure full time a hours in the emergency room at the hospital that I am employed at as a registered nurse. The mother of the children has said she would like the children to live with me. I became a licensed foster care provider.

No efforts were ever made to place the children with me even though reasonable efforts are required to be made. However extraordinary efforts were made to keep the children from me. I was denied phone calls and visits with the children and gifts I sent the children were returned. When I was finally able to get phone calls the children expressed their desire to live with me they were yelled at by the case worker and later told me they were punished for saying that. The children were told terrible things about me and what would happen to them if they came to live with me. When I was able to get a visit I brought family photos which were torn from my grandson’s hands while he was crying no no they’re mine. It’s horrible to have to watch your grandchildren be treated in this manner by those who are supposed to be protecting them but are really violating them.

I have in my hand the closing argument from the prosecuting attorney it is filled with lies and misrepresentations. There is evidence and testimony submitted that proves these statements are lies yet he has no qualms about submitting these lies to the court in a written argument.

Whatever you think of foster care and adoption, keep in mind that it should be about finding a home for a child who needs one rather than about finding a child for a family that wants one. When those two situations coincide, adoption is a wonderful option. But when an existing family is torn apart needlessly in order to create an adoptive family, it’s cruel.

May is the month foster care is celebrated. While you’re celebrating and recruiting foster families be sure to look at the statistics on terminations, reunifications and adoptions. Also look at the statistics of children who have been abused and died while in care and keep in mind how many loving family members such as myself are being prosecuted and denied access to their own family. Think of the children who have been traumatized by their removal when many could have remained with their families given a minimal amount of help. Think of the children who are not being adopted and are left in care until they age out of the system, whom have grown up with no permanent home and moreover with proof in their minds that no one wants them or loves them. Much of the burden on the foster care system could be lifted if they would just try to help parents and allow children to be placed with family.

Alex Jones Tv CPS"Rant"of 2009!!



Alex Goes off on the whole CPS System of Corruption that's been going on in Texas, and across the Nation for too many years now!

International adoptions down, foster-care adoptions up, says new book

International adoptions down, foster-care adoptions up, says new book

Adam Pertman, executive editor of an adoption institute, says previous U.S. adoption trends have flipped. In the new edition of his book “Adoption Nation,” Pertman says once-popular international adoptions have slowed because of rising nationalism and attempts to keep children with their biological parents. Adoptions of foster children increased 53 percent in 2008. Pertman also says the Internet has changed the adoption landscape because of the plethora of cyber ads looking for pregnant women interested in giving their up babies. (Wall Street Journal)

BOY, 13, HELD OVER FOSTER CARER KILLING

BOY, 13, HELD OVER FOSTER CARER KILLING

A TEENAGER was in custody last night after the brutal murder of a nursery school manageress who recently gave up her career to dedicate her life to fostering.

Boy, 13, charged with murder after 'killing foster mother in stab attack'

Boy, 13, charged with murder after 'killing foster mother in stab attack'

A 13-year-old boy was charged with murder yesterday after a 34-year-old foster mother was killed in her home.

It’s official! Study says whiny kids most annoying

It’s official! Study says whiny kids most annoying

The sound of fingernails on a blackboard, people having loud conversations on mobile phones in public — the list of things that annoy us is extensive, says the Daily Mail.

Social workers see sense – it's just a shame they're not ours

Social workers see sense – it's just a shame they're not ours

Vicky Haigh fled to Ireland to escape her council's social workers, but they haven't given up, reports Christopher Booker.

Response to school shooting tested in S. Portland

Response to school shooting tested in S. Portland

No one wants to think about the possibility of a school shooting in their community. But it's important to be ready in case it happens.

Gov. Scott vetoes bill waiving background checks for volunteers

Gov. Scott vetoes bill waiving background checks for volunteers

After cutting hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for nursing homes and after-school programs, Governor Scott's going a step further.

‘Teen Mom’ Star Amber Portwood Reunited With Leah

‘Teen Mom’ Star Amber Portwood Reunited With Leah

Teen Mom star Amber Portwood, 21, was reunited with her daughter Leah, 2, for the first time since her reported suicide attempt.

Sex-abuse accusations prompt review of child protection policies

Sex-abuse accusations prompt review of child protection policies

A concerted effort is underway to strengthen child protection policies in B.C. public schools, which were found to be disturbingly inconsistent last year after teachers in two different districts were accused of sex crimes.

Foster children struggle with identify theft

Foster children struggle with identify theft

Four years after Sacramento County Child Protective Services removed Katrina Haywood from her mother's abusive grip, the woman still has managed to stand in the way of her daughter entering college, finding a job or paying for the roof over her head.

'Great deal' still needs to be done to improve KCC child protection service

'Great deal' still needs to be done to improve KCC child protection service

An independent report into Kent's child protection service has warned that a "great deal" still needs to be done to correct failings in the system.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Must Adoption Agencies Disclose Medical History?

Must Adoption Agencies Disclose Medical History?

Q. Can an adoption agency be sued for failing to disclose a child's medical history to the adoptive parents?

Surge in child abuse cases strains county resources

Surge in child abuse cases strains county resources

* The county Department of Social Services continues to deal with an increase in child abuse complaints. Social Services Commissioner Sheila Weaver said complaints rose in May and June, and the department is down three caseworkers. One is on long-term medical leave, while two resigned. One of the people who resigned has been replaced, but Weaver said eight to 12 weeks of training means the second won’t be able to begin taking cases until late fall or early winter. State standards for child protective caseworkers are that they should have case loads of 12 cases, but Warren County’s caseworkers average 20 to 25 cases, she said. Caseworkers from other parts of the agency are pitching in to help, but overtime costs tripled in recent weeks. “There is only so much overtime a person is going to take before they burn out,” said Warrensburg Supervisor Kevin Geraghty, the county’s budget officer.

Social work boss turned his back on youngsters being abused

Social work boss turned his back on youngsters being abused

A YOUNG boy was so "malnourished and unkempt" that he kept fainting in class after failures by a Scottish social work boss, a misconduct panel has heard.

Grandparents say DHS practically cut them out of their granddaughter's life

Grandparents say DHS practically cut them out of their granddaughter's life

Chuck and Annette Deal say child welfare workers practically cut them out of their granddaughter's life before she was sent to live with her father and died.

Note: They do it all the time.

Talk about a revolving door...

Local foster mother honored for taking in 500 kids over 50 years

On Friday a West Michigan woman was honored for her efforts to give as many children as possible a home.

Note: Let's see, 500 kids in 50 years...

50 years * 365.25 days (gotta be fair about leap year.) = 18,262.5 / 500 kids = aprox 1 new kid every 36.5 days.

Now if she "gave them a home" as the article states, they're probably being packed in like sardines, although she could probably afford to buy a pretty big house with all that money. Or maybe she's just a kid hoarder. I don't know. Either way, the numbers do not show stability for these kids.

Expert warn legislators on child welfare privatization

Expert warn legislators on child welfare privatization

A national expert warned Nebraska lawmakers Thursday that privatizing child welfare can take a decade or two to yield results.

Foster care goal is reunification: Harris

Foster care goal is reunification: Harris

THE INS AND OUTS of foster care were explored Thursday at the Kiwanis Club luncheon. NaCole Harris, center, resource linkage coordinator with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, was the guest speaker. From left are Charles Bagley, program chair; Harris; and Matt Ryerson, Kiwanis president. The photo was submitted.

Fundraising event planned for Saturday

Fundraising event planned for Saturday

A Breaking the Silence on Violence fundraiser will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Downtowner Plaza. The event focuses on male domestic violence and is designed to create awareness on issues men suffer in Ohio communities.

Man jailed over death of Baby P free in six weeks

Man jailed over death of Baby P free in six weeks

The lodger convicted over the murder of Baby P is to be released from jail in six weeks just four years after the toddler's death.

Telford sex trial girl: ‘I lied to social worker’

Telford sex trial girl: ‘I lied to social worker’

A teenage girl allegedly sold for sex in Telford claimed she lied about what was happening to her when she was seen by a social worker more than two years ago, a court heard.

Houston man forced to pay child support for child that DNA proves isn’t his

Houston man forced to pay child support for child that DNA proves isn’t his

A new state law says men no longer have to make child support payments if they discover the child is not theirs, but a Houston man says he still has to pay.


Psychiatrists with corrupt pasts found working in juvenile justice facilities and doping children

Psychiatrists with corrupt pasts found working in juvenile justice facilities and doping children

(NaturalNews) An investigation into the massive drugging of kids in Florida juvenile jails has uncovered psychiatric doctors with deplorable records working for the state’s Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). Their histories include not only grand theft and medical malpractice, but overmedicating patients to the point of death.

When the Government Steals the Children




On Saturday, June 18, 2011 native survivors of the sixties scoop from across Canada gathered in front of Queen's Park in Toronto to talk about a little known atrocity currently being perpetrated by the Canadian Government against First Nation families in Canada. Child welfare services in Canadian provinces with the support of the federal government are removing native children from their families and their reservations and placing them in foster care or adopting them out throughout the world. Applications to have the children fostered or adopted by native families have been consistently refused in an attempt at cultural genocide. Thousands of children have had their identities torn away and been placed in non-native homes where their roots are being eliminated leaving them without a history or any connection with their heritage. After seeches were listened to, these people marched to the Childrens' aid offices and spoke of their anger and pain in hopes of drawing attention to this injustice. They then proceeded to Allen Gardens where there was a meal and a traditional pow wow.

Parents say administrators are siccing ACS on them to retaliate for complaints

Parents say administrators are siccing ACS on them to retaliate for complaints

Complain at school and get a knock on the door.

Friction with principals and fights with teachers have led to visits from child welfare investigators, numerous parents have told the Daily News.

Timeline: Connecticut Department of Children & Families Under Federal Oversight

Timeline: Connecticut Department of Children & Families Under Federal Oversight

December 1989: Suit filed

The Connecticut Civil Liberties Union and the American Civil Liberties Union's Children's Rights Project file a class-action lawsuit against Gov. William O'Neill and the state Department of Children and Youth Services. The suit charges that an overworked and underfunded DCYS fails to provide services including abuse and neglect investigations, adoption, foster care, mental health care, caseloads and staffing.

Public have no faith in protection of children

Public have no faith in protection of children

Public faith in the safeguarding of vulnerable children is damaged and will not be repaired until tragedies such as the murder of Ryan Lovell-Hancox are eradicated, an MP said today.

Note: Actually people are loosing faith in child protection because of all of the fraud, lies, overzealous child removals, violations of human rights, failures, cruelty, etc.

Update: State cuts foster care funding by 50 percent

Ut oh!

Update: State cuts foster care funding by 50 percent

Most foster parents receive between $400 and $450 a month per child for room and board costs. However, for some foster parents of kids with special needs, that is about to change.

Note: That ought to piss off some foster contractors.

Grand Jury Indicts 2 In High-Profile Adoption Fraud Case



A federal grand jury has indicted two people in connection with what prosecutors are calling a "high-profile adoption scam."

Dingwall-based senior social worker accused of failures

Dingwall-based senior social worker accused of failures

A senior social worker has been accused of falling asleep during a meeting with a family with four children who required council care and supervision.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Virginia legislation requires social workers to earn bachelor’s, master’s degrees

Virginia legislation requires social workers to earn bachelor’s, master’s degrees

In January, the Virginia General Assembly met to discuss a bill that would require most social workers to earn either a bachelor's or a master's degree in social work as well as complete the license requirements in the state, the National Association of Social Workers reports. Recently, the assembly approved the legislation and it is set to become a state law.

Trial set for social worker charged in impersonation

Trial set for social worker charged in impersonation

A Franklin County judge agreed to continue the trial of a social worker who allegedly posed as an employee of the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office to get a paternity test, but he warned attorneys he was concerned about the delays.

The Sun newspaper pays compensation to Baby P social worker

The Sun newspaper pays compensation to Baby P social worker

A social worker who was involved in the Baby P case has accepted an undisclosed sum from the Sun newspaper after they made allegations that have since been shown to be false.

Ut Oh... The Wex Doesn't Like RI's New DCYF Leader

Richard Wexler: Wrong person for DCYF

When I first said I was planning to release a report on child welfare in Rhode Island there are people in child welfare - very much mainstream types, whom I think you'd like - who rolled their eyes and said, in effect: Why bother? Rhode Island will never change.

Guess what

It Could Happen To You