FightCPS does not advocate or condone violence or illiegal activities of any kind.
FightCPS is intended to help people learn enough about the law to be able to successfully defend themselves and their families against false accusations using legal documents and strategies that put parents in a stronger position when they go back to court.
For more information, see the FAQ.
Child Protective Services, CPS, has devastated and destroyed hundreds of thousands of families in America during the last thirty years leaving a trail of broken hearts, broken dreams, and shattered childhoods.
Rather than helping families, government agents have used unconstitutional laws in Juvenile Court to rip children away from their loving parents, break asunder God-given, natural, parent-child bonds, and adopt the children of the grieving out to others who profit financially with large monthly adoption subsidy payments.
Child Protective Services must be stopped! The law that started this, CAPTA, must be repealed. We must work tirelessly to inform the public of this very dangerous travesty of justice. We must keep faith knowing that if there is a God, there is an answer and a way to end this heartache.
Child Protective Services Agents - please come to your senses! Family destruction on false or trivial grounds is wrong, reprehensible, and inhumane.
Fosterers - be aware that for the money you get you are holding much-loved children away from their grieving families while the parents are forced to perform a service plan that is anything but a service to them. I call this hostage holding for the government. This is not kindness - to help misguided government agents destroy family relationships and break loving bonds.
CPS workers and fosterers - I ask that you now let the children of the innocent return to their homes where they are truly valued, adored, and loved by the parents God gave them.
Family rights are God-given rights. And they should not be ignored or postponed. Every moment these loving parents and children spend separated from one another is a torment beyond what anyone should ever have to bear.
It is unworthy of human dignity to allow this terrorism and torture of families to go on without saying something, speaking out, and trying to make a change.
Site mission: To provide information and support for families attacked by Child Protective Services and child welfare agents, especially those families facing false or trivial accusations of child abuse or neglect; and for researchers working to protect natural family rights.
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Fighting Child Protective Services False Accusations
October 1, 2008
This is the guestbook for October 2008. You’re welcome to tell us about yourself and why you’re here.
[Update, October 3 - I just had to ban two systemite posters: "Advocate" is someone who claimed to be a CPS caseworker whose postings have become rude and sarcastic; "Erica" is someone who rudely expressed her belief that almost all people involved with CPS are guilty. Please ignore the postings of these two people as they will no longer be allowed to post on this website.]
If you want feedback on your case, register at the Fight CPS Message Forum where there are advocates and activists waiting to hear from you. Please note it may take 10 to 48 hours to get your message board account approved. We need to approve them all individually.
Note: This thread is closed to new comments. Please refer to the most recent guestbook thread to leave your message.
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Broken Links: Because many old news articles are taken offline you will find broken links in the archives of this weblog. There's nothing we can do to prevent this problem.
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At times, social workers come on this site with the intent to justify their own misdeeds. Do not be discouraged by it. Those of us who have been through the ordeal are here for you. There are many like me. I’ve learned much more than I ever wanted to know. I’ve learned, much, too late in certain aspects. But, I will do my best to prevent other families from enduring the atrocities that DHS affects us with. Do not believe DHS, Do not talk to DHS. Research DHS, if you have the opportunity. Save yourself and your family from a nightmare.
Comment by daaronad — October 1, 2008 @ 8:24 pm
You are so right daanronad!!
Even police who have been traumatized by CPS/DHHS have written about how CPS did nothing but use brute force in taking children!
We all need to be strong, bur MORE IMPORTANTLY - LET YOUR STORY BE TOLD BY THE MEDIA!!!
CPS/DHHS HATES NOTHING MORE THAN MEDIA INTERVENTION!!!
The more PUBLICITY THAt CPS/DHHS GETS, THEL MORE THEY WILL LEAVE YOU ALONE!!!!!!
BE AWARE AND BRING THE MEDIA IN!!!!!
I guarantee CPS/DHHS will leave you alone when tv or investigative reporters are involved!!!!
They don’t want their illegalities shown to the whole world!
EXPOSE CPS FOR WHAT THEY ARE! THAT’S THE ONLY WAY TO BEAT THEM!!!!!\
Comment by willfightforjustice — October 1, 2008 @ 8:31 pm
Legislators. This is where concerns need to be voiced. Everyone should have a voice, especially those who have been wronged but keep in mind-not everyone at CPS is bad. A worker that has done wrong and exposed via the media may at most be fired but the policies and laws that are practiced the right way will remain. I think that one of the major issues I am hearing on here is not that a particular worker did wrong but that the policies are not in the best interest of the children- if this is the case, energy should not be wasted banging on the exclamation point button on your computer but rallying to meet with legislators in your state. Change is made everyday in all aspects of life but we must be clear in our objectives and in what must be done to meet those objectives. With that said, who’s going to make moves and who is going to fool themself into thinking that name calling, insults, and instigating strangers via comment boxes is going to make a difference? ~Peace and Blessings~
Comment by Advocate — October 1, 2008 @ 10:13 pm
Advocate,
Actually, it needs to be a multi-faceted approach. Because I have worked against CPS, we have been investigated every time someone can think of a reason to bring up a reason to investigate us, we have been attacked via email and personal attacks for allegedly supporting abuse, we have been stalked, defamed, you name it.
Yet nobody has lived their lives under total scrutiny, and yet we still “come up clean”.
My state has a CPS review board. I have asked questions about how to get on that board; nobody seems to have the answers. It appears that board is not overseen by objective citizens, but rather (SURPRISE!) CPS caseworkers who tend to protect their own.
As for politicians, they don’t listen to issues like that. Period. And running for office requires a fair amount of money.
So we need to work on a grassroots level even as we try to make changes higher up. Make sense?
Comment by Gideon MacLeish — October 2, 2008 @ 5:58 am
I’ve been screaming my story to anybody & everybody. I’ve written to the media, legislators, congress critters, city council, etc. I’m not shutting up until somebody will listen & do something. Put ME on a CPS review board. Heck, I’m MORE than qualified. Here, they just put CPS goons on it cuz of my complaint about our caseworker being friends with the feminazis that have our kids.
Comment by Susan — October 2, 2008 @ 6:18 am
I’ve written every legislator and senator I could find, from my state and others. I’ve written to several media outlets that say they are “for the people”. Every signle one has either ignored my letter entirely or worse, actually notified me that the issue of CPS is not a (to use one senators own words), “pressing matter of the american people”.
In other words, it’s an election year and this is not a “lime-light” issue to base his campaign on.
Folks, I hate to say it, but this year especially, we will be put on the back burner as there are for bigger issues for legislators to concentrate on that do affect every american.
But should we stop screaming? NO!
Eventually our economy will recover, just as history conveys as far back as the Great Depression and earlier.
It is then we will have our day. At some point, Legislators will have less volitle subjects to base thier campaigns on, and our issue will become the most important issue for a canidate to run on.
THAT is when we will start to see some changes.
Comment by Cheryl — October 2, 2008 @ 8:20 am
You know, one way to get their attention is to pit them against each other. Who is in control of your state? In my case, it is the Democrats. Read this and substitute it with Republican and your own state info if you need to then send it to your legislators and Congressman:
If you want to see what Democrats will do, just look at Washington State. Here they rule and have for years, put our state 3 billion in debt, doubled child removal from 2006-2007, have me feeling like I live in a police state because you can’t go anywhere without seeing an officer yet want to hire more, are turning crime into a major business as evidenced by all the new prisons/jails being built and implement pet projects that end up being national programs all over CPS and family court. Every time you hear of a CASA worker going against a family, or no due process in family court, or concurrent planning (a plan to adopt and a plan for reunification going at the same time but don’t be fooled by that either. The REAL plan might be to adopt), think of Washington State and the Democrats.
They have reduced the Omsbudsman program to a statistic gathering organization more so than a CPS watchdog. There is no authority in Washington State against CPS. Legislators have even gone to court with families only to have the courts and CPS disrespect them. The courts are in bed with CPS for federal funding and often side with them regardless of the evidence IF they will even hear the parents side of the story. They have taken away any and all rights for extended family leaving parents extremely vulnerable. Hospitals are now going after the federal funding and are in the child removal business. Heaven help you if your child has an accident and the doctor decides to call CPS with bogus claims. Plan on spending thousands for forensic scientists. If you can’t afford that, bye bye children.
To understand the seriousness of this, read the following article: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/aug/27/20060827-103843-8516r/ This is Democratic globalism.
Children are dying all over the state in CPS care 6-1 over parents but you don’t hear about that in the liberal media. The media only discuss parental abuse to keep the Democrats happy with their adoption incentives coming in. They take their statistics off of long term dependency as it pertains to relative placement - but don’t be fooled. Less that 1/4 of REMOVED children get placed in extended family care. They are not counting the unsubstantiated removals who often take months before they are resolved. They are screening most relatives out or dragging their feet on relative placement then telling people “you are no longer bonded therefore we have to adopt out.” They are not following the law as it pertains to relative placement and family preservation.
Bottom line is: VOTE DEMOCRAT AND LOSE YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN
Comment by Jan Smith — October 2, 2008 @ 9:52 am
I have been following the info on this site (as well as many others) for sometime. Never thought I would have too do something like this, but thanks to my Wife’s ex-husband (Darin Abbott) he keeps things busy with whatever he wants to dream up next. Too bad our justice system protects the real criminals!
Comment by Tom Dillon — October 2, 2008 @ 10:19 am
I agree with many of that postings that encourage media involvement. If no one responds, KEEP TRYING! The more people that speak up, the more these outlets realize there is something wrong! The general public do not know what it is like to be targeted by disgruntled CPS workers. This is one way to get the word out! CPS cannot take the heat. My case was closed two years ago, but I still have to look over my shoulder because of the newspaper and radio interviews I gave PISSED them off! (CPS looked like fools and they were not happy). THe unfortunate thing is that they are still allowed to do what they want because the law still protects them. The next step is to fight them through legislation. Don’t give up! We need to keep on our elected officials who are working for you and me, the American people.
Comment by Valerie — October 2, 2008 @ 10:57 am
#
Three weeks ago I spoke in front of a County Commission on an issue I felt strongly about. What I said went against the grain of a major tax hike this City department wanted to implement. While there I met a woman who was also speaking against it and we exchanged phone number. She came to my house one time to discuss a game plan for the issue. Shortly after that, I found out from a friend this woman had a number of abuse convictions by CPS and was advised not to let her into my house again. When I told the woman we would not be meeting here again and why, she became very very angry with me.
Two days ago, DCS (Department of Children’s Services) came to my house to investigate 3 complaints, all by the same person. I gave the worker the woman’s name, and told him why I believe it was her, since the accusations against me were IDENTICAL to those she was convicted of. From the expression on his face, I knew I hit the nail on the head.
none the less, he had a warrant to interrogate my son and search my house. Being a healthy, happy 4 year old, my son did have a bruise or two from falling off playground equipment at a park a couple days before. My son told him exactly what happened and how he got the bruises. Then the accompanying police officer took my son to his room to play while the worker talked to me. While in there, my son bounced on his bed (something I do not allow) and fell off into his toy box and had gotten a new bruise. The worker immediately wanted to photograph it. The cop gave him a look and stated he witnessed how it happened and would testify truthfully, the worker put down his camera.
At the end of the day, I was lucky, the worker closed the case. BUT he told me if they get one more call like this one, my son would probably be removed from the home. I asked if the call was made by the same person who called before if he would also be taking this action, after knowing the background. He said the call could come from anybody, including this convicted abuser, it did not matter.
Like most people, the mortgage crisis has left us upside down on our house. Would you suggest we move out of this town, and simply allow the bank to take the house back to protect our son, or do you think we are really in danger from this mad woman?
We are willing to do WHATEVER it takes not to have to relive this nightmare. There is no doubt in my mind if that wonderful, honest police officer was not here, he would have taken my son.
Comment by mom of a 4 year old — October 2, 2008 @ 11:08 am
Mom of a 4yr old.
You were lied to from the get go.
There is no such thing as a “warrant” to “interview” or do a home study. Frequently, CPS uses papers from a supervisor that look very real, to represent as a warrant. The letterhead is convienient for scaring moms and dads have to death. Happened to us! Truth be told, it was really a supervisors request of the CW to investigate. A CPS supervisor is NOT a judge!!!
The only warrant they can get is to remove the boy, period. And they can only get that by showing a judge proof that the boy is in immenent danger of death or serious harm if he remains for more than a few hours.
I would never suggest leaving your livlihood to protect your son. Walking away from your home will not deter these people. They will follow you and you will have lost your home for nothing.
Instead…PLEASE KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. Study, study and study. This website is excellent for helping you learn your rights. Read up on the 4th and 14th amendment (civil rights).
Do not let these people in again. Ask to see and read the “warrant” completely BEFORE they comence into your home. Make sure it IS signed by a Judge on court paper. Tell them you wish to protect your civil rights by reading it for content. Have a witness OUTSIDE with you if ever they show up again. If they ask to see the boy, have him appear at the entry door, then go inside immediately afterward.
Be polite but firm that you know your rights as a parent when confronting CPS. As you saw, police are not always willing to risk their badge for a lie.
The police were present when this happened, you said. If that really had been a “warrant”, don;t you think that the police would have removed the boy…and possibly you?
It makes zero common sense. You were lied to by the worker and the cop knew it. At least he did the right thing to help you.
You’ve come to the right place for support and civil rights knowledge
Comment by Cheryl — October 2, 2008 @ 1:07 pm
I wonder if I can file a complaint on the spcial workers in this case for willfully inflicting mental and emotional abuse on them.
Comment by Antonette Wilson — October 2, 2008 @ 1:41 pm
That case worker does not have the authority to take your child “if one more complaint is lodged”. If you ever deal with them again (especially him), have a recorder on hand and record EVERYTHING. You may want to speak with the police officer and see if you can file a complaint against this worker for acting outside the bounds of their authority.
Comment by Gideon Macleish — October 2, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
Mom of 4yr old:
If they come to your house again, you do not have to let them in without a warrant.
In some states the Judge will issue it because he gets paid..
However, make sure if they do come or call you to their office to have a voice recorder or video camera. Preferably video camera..
Don’t be afraid of them because if you are and they know it they will eat you alive..
Also, after each conversation write/type it up in a letter and mail or fax (preferably fax) the contents of the conversation… Also, add a line for them to sign if they agree or disagree.
Please be very careful, they have been there once… they will be back!
Please do your homework and reasearch before they take your child….
Comment by Diando — October 2, 2008 @ 2:09 pm
Also, keep a timeline…… Write up what happened already..
Also the peice of paper that they show you as Cheryl stated does look real.. It has a filed stamp…. You can buy one yourself at Office Depot…
Unless it is signed and seal stamped by a Judge do not let them take your child…
Comment by Diando — October 2, 2008 @ 2:11 pm
Mom of 4 yr. old - If they keep coming to your house, it means they are doing an ‘investigation’ (witch hunt) to look for anything & everything to be used against you. Mine went on for 5 months, then we went to court with a BOGUS report the childless caseworker wrote (all negative things) about my family. The corrupt judge bought it & bye bye kids, including one that was not even BORN. If they do that in your case, I recommend you & your family RUN LIKE HELL to another state. They can’t follow you there (they seriously will NOT have the MONEY) if no abuse occurred! I wish to hell we had left while we had the kids.
Comment by Susan — October 2, 2008 @ 3:02 pm
I am so glad that there are still people on here,fighting those crooked nazis all the sights i have found seemed to date back to 2007
i also was a victim ,they took my new born from the hosp.eight yrs ago.and yes of course,they adopted her out.
do nit piss off a nurse in the hosp.cause guess who shows up?
cps….
Comment by margie meeks — October 2, 2008 @ 3:37 pm
buy a notebook and make sure it is not used by the kids. It it yours alone…to detail everything immediately as it happens, or is said.
Video is great! They hate it, but you certainly will let them know that you are aware of your rights, even you are not. Don’t let them tell you no video is allowed. If they make a big deal of it at their office, then annouce the meeting is over until you meet at a neutral location so that you may use the video recorder.
If at any point you suspect that you rights are in danger, GET AN ATTORNEY. The assigned attorney’s are paid by the same State Atty General that signs the paychecks for GAL’s, CASA and CPS case workers.
Talk about a conflict of interest!
Of course, the attorney they provide will not kill their meal ticket and tell you how to win this. If they lose cases for their families, they stay on the payroll. If they win too many cases, they will need to find a new partnership soon.
Comment by Cheryl — October 2, 2008 @ 4:15 pm
Mom of a 4 year old-
You need to speak to that worker’s supervisor because if that statement was made without you having a verrryyyyy looonnnnggggg history, it was more than inappropriate. (When I say history, I am not referring to cases that were opened and then closed soon after, I am referring to cases in which CPS has identified issues/ concerns). Did you call the supervisor or director?
Comment by Advocate — October 2, 2008 @ 5:55 pm
Margie-
“Pissing” off a nurse will not lead you to getting your child taken away. There is NO way. There has to be more to it.
Comment by Advocate — October 2, 2008 @ 5:57 pm
Do any of you ever think about the children’s best interests and well being?? All I hear about on this site is about the poor parents. Do any of you have any training on the affects parental substance abuse, physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect on children? CPS should be rewarded for taking children from UNSAFE parents. Stop blamng everyone else and look at yourselves! Your children will be better off without you in most cases!
Comment by Erica — October 2, 2008 @ 6:10 pm
Response to these mother’s complaining about CPS taking their kids. WAKE UP, CPS did not remove your kids for no reason. Let me guess you were a drug addict and used while pregnant. CPS HAS TO HAVE VERY THOROUGH documentation to removed children let alone to sever your rights. There are no cases where children are severed that a LEGAL REQUIREMENT was not met!! Again, look at yourselves. Some people are not meant to be parents. Be glad your child is with a loving family that wants children not a drug addicted or abusive or neglectful mother who took them for granted and mistreated them!!
Comment by Erica — October 2, 2008 @ 6:14 pm
Allow me to be human for a moment if you will…..I have read a lot of stories on here and corresponded with some who I really feel for as I know that they have made changes and fought the right way BUT some of you on here are so immature and ignorant that it makes me upset for those who really need help. Being ignorant and name calling is not helping you- really, it is making you look bad- bad enough to the point where I start to wonder if there are some serious mental health issues going on. Say what you will but it is what it is. I think that this site is a good thing for those who seek direction, understanding, and hope but some of the people on here should not be offering advice to anyone as you are either spouting the words of an 8 year old or you are suggesting things that are in no way, shape, or form going to work. I’m not telling you what I heard, I’m telling you what I know. If half of you jump down my throat just because I work for CPS, you have issues. If you didnt say it to your worker then, dont say it to me- I didnt make the case decision. I guess its a lot easier for idiots to put thoughts together when they can take breaks after each sentence. Yeah yeah yeah, the heart is pumping, your fingers are tingling from your desire to respond with what you think is a zinger, save it! CPS= baby snatchers, the devil, crazy, power hungry, etc…..oh and Nazis. I heard the first 1000 insults and I grow weary. Dont turn this site into a elementary school playground- there are people on here looking for help, not cowards in denial. Kandice told us about how she just lost her appeal and then some moron replies- not to her but to me, with some juvenile BS and then at the very end they throw in: Oh yeah, I’m sorry too Kandice. This says it all. I think that some of you are bigger threats to victimized parents than CPS. Wow!
Comment by Advocate — October 2, 2008 @ 6:15 pm
…and here it comes, wait for it wait for it, GO!
Comment by Advocate — October 2, 2008 @ 6:17 pm
OH there is more to it.i was a single mother for one,had a clean backround.i pissed off the nurse she called cps.i dont even know where to begin,yes yhey did keep my baby,
and most people assume it was drugs.
it was not.they said i was mentally unfit at first ,then they said i had no means for support when i had a full time job and so on.i never even got to take my baby home.
Comment by margie meeks — October 2, 2008 @ 6:20 pm
Mom of 4 year old-
Maintain your relationship with your child’s private doctor.
Keep a journal.
Shop aroundto look for a private attorney who has handled these sorts of cases before and go for a free consult or two. If ytou can afford it, consider signing a retainer with said attorney. In this way, should CPS raise their ugly head again, you can immediately call your private attorney. That in of itself may cause them to back off for good.
If you can
Comment by MaggieC — October 2, 2008 @ 6:21 pm
Cheryl-
Your advice is the pits. You can video but if the worker is not aware, it wont be used in court. If you do want to video the interview, a CPS attorney will be there too. Stop making “suggestions” and give useful advice.
And people need to offer better advice than “get an attorney”. Most people cant afford attorneys…Any more suggestions?
Comment by Advocate — October 2, 2008 @ 6:21 pm
Wow, Erica. Don’t believe in the Constitution, do you? It’s called INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY, and it is an important precept of our country’s judicial system. Are you aware that only 3% of parents whose children are removed by CPS will ever be found criminally guilty of abuse or neglect, yet less than 50% of those children will be returned home?
Due process, the right to confront your accuser, the right to an attorney, and trial by a jury were outlines for a reason. Because a government that is given too much power can and does abuse that power. Nobody here is condoning abuse or neglect, nobody here is speaking out against a legitimate investigation. We are simply asking the government to follow the laws it creates.
Advocate,
Yes, you CAN have your child removed for “pissing off” a nurse if you live in the wrong area and you don’t know your rights. It has happened. While we can’t take everyone’s story 100% on face value, they deserve to have their stories investigated thoroughly.
In my personal experience, I have found CPS to be quite reasonable, as long as you assert your rights from the very first communication. But the point is, many parents aren’t aware of their rights, and CPS has no interests of allowing them to be aware of their rights. Miranda rights are read in criminal cases, they should similarly be expressed in CPS cases. Yes, this means more work for the investigator, but it also means that the parent’s rights are upheld.
You will find people on this site who believe CPS should be completely eliminated. I’m not one of those. I am an advocate for EXTREME reform, and for advocacy for the parents. Most legitimate abuse and neglect cases fall into two categories: abuse or neglect by intent or by incident (negligence). I believe that abuse/neglect by intent should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, but abuse/neglect by incident should be dealt with by working closely with the family to remedy the problem.
The problem is, many of these families are rightly suspicious of CPS and will not work with the caseworkers. This is where a strong advocacy system could come into play.
Most of these responses come out of fear and worry. While yes, it is true, some truly abusive parents will post here, it is not true that every parent who posts here is guilty of abuse or neglect. And it is irresponsible to assume that they are.
Comment by Gideon Macleish — October 2, 2008 @ 6:34 pm
Advocate,
Actually, the guestbook posters and the MB posters are a different sort. I would encourage you to register and post on the message board; I think you have a lot to offer. While you and I differ on many key points, I see you willing to discuss the issues, and that’s a good thing. I’m sorry to see the gut reaction from some of the posters on thise thread, but please understand, many of these people have been through a lot. Helping them understand the system could go a long way towards easing that pain.
I think you’re a credit to CPS, personally, and I appreciate the fact that you’re willing to look at the other side.
Comment by Gideon Macleish — October 2, 2008 @ 6:37 pm
By the way, as to videotaping, laws vary from state to state, and advocate is right: it may not be admissible.
My position is that it is best to inform the CPS investigator that you are recording. I personally was surprised to discover that not only will they allow you, but they will welcome it. And if you inform them ahead of time, stating the time and date at the beginning and end of recording, it often CAN be used in court. SO you have an added bonus.
If the investigator will not allow you to record, you can often call their supervisors.
Another thing, RE: interviews of children. While you may not be able to afford an attorney, you may be able to get the caseworker to allow you to observe the interview from behind a two way mirror with a recording device present. Despite what most people think, these people ARE human. They see a lot of abuse and neglect and, in my experience, at least, are more than happy to deal with parents who will deal with them in a rational and responsible manner.
Advocate,
Speaking as a CPS investigator, would you personally refuse any of my requests (the right to record our conversations and observe the interviews of the children from behind a two way mirror)?
Comment by Gideon Macleish — October 2, 2008 @ 6:43 pm
Advocate-arte you are an attorney? I think not.
A person is free to video tape anything in their home and in most if not all courts, this is admissable.
Stop practicing law without a license.
Comment by MaggieC — October 2, 2008 @ 7:51 pm
Gideon-
Stop commenting to me if you are going to answer the questions yourself (wrong I might add). If you want to have a discussion about how I practice social work thats fine but why are you wasting energy if you know me so well and are with me everyday, every minute? Save the theatrics.
You were not even wronged by CPS so how can you come to assumptions about the agency? “Assumptions”? Where did I just read something about assumptions? I think that you may have mentioned it but that cant be because that would make you a hypocrite. Just because you know your rights the big bad CPS didnt bother you long? You think that people are only wronged when they dont know their parental rights? You think that people with the true horror stories are not intelligent enough to know that they are the parent and with that comes natural entitlements to raise their children in a safe, nurturing environment without government intervention? I guess everyone cant be as smart as you. Give me a break! If that worker was truly corrupt, you stating your rights would not have intimidated them- if anything it may have made them work harder to stay in your life. Wrong is wrong, evil is evil. Miranda rights? Ok, you are running out of things to say, shhhhhhhh.
Comment by Advocate — October 2, 2008 @ 9:47 pm
Gideon-
Most of the time I interview children with their parents, it depends on the severity of the case or if the report states that the child is afraid that the parent may retaliate, etc. If I did have to interview parents and children seperate, the child would probably be interviewed befor the parent even knows that CPS is involved (in school, daycare, etc)- keep in mind, this is only for those “serious” cases. As for parents- if I know ahead of time that you wanted to tape record thats fine but I wont be alone as tape recordings can be edited to reflect whatever the owner wants it to- just like you would want to cover yourself, so would I.
Comment by Advocate — October 2, 2008 @ 9:54 pm
Maggie-
Uhhhhh, no its not. Are you an attorney? Hold on, why am I even asking? Of course youre not but you had to add your oh so deep insight to the conversation….thanks for that- we were all waiting in suspense for your knowledge about law. Now I can take a breath.
Comment by Advocate — October 2, 2008 @ 10:02 pm
Gideon-
So many ignorant statements, so little time. In response to:
“Yes, you CAN have your child removed for “pissing off†a nurse if you live in the wrong area and you don’t know your rights.”
Did you hear this from someone who heard it from their cousin who might have heard something like that? A nurse? You would have done better by saying doctor as they make the diagnoses. Either that nurse is one heck of a magician or cousin got the story wrong.
Comment by Advocate — October 2, 2008 @ 10:07 pm
WOW! Theatrics? I’m trying to have serious dialog here, Advocate. I am not kidding when I say that I respect you. I think you’re offering good information. Please tell me what I wrote that offended you so much (make sure it was my post; you may be mixing up posts).
You’re actually not correct when you say I wasn’t wronged by CPS, Advocate. I was raised in the system and lost two brothers to it. I don’t see how you could be any more “wronged”. So don’t assume anything about me and I won’t assume anything about you, ok?
Now, to your point about recording: That’s what I wanted to know, and that’s COMPLETELY fair. If I’m recording, I expect the CPS worker to cover their rear ends, just as I’m going to cover mine. Nothing wrong with that.
What I’m trying to do here, Advocate, is meet in the middle. We come from different perspectives, and I’m trying to find a middle ground that would be reasonable. The essence of compromise is that neither side walks away with exactly what it wants. You’ve seen the alternative, and I’d hope you would consider rational discussion to be a preferable alternative.
And actually, your point about what would happen if CPS was truly corrupt is exactly my point. They usually CAN be reasoned with, and there is a chain of command that can be followed. I have actually found CPS workers to be useful allies in a number of situations because most workers truly want to help children, even if they don’t agree on the best way to do it.
You jumping to conclusions and assuming that I am a belligerent, angry person is as ridiculous as my assuming that you show up at every door with an eye on taking the kids. We ultimately both want the same thing, Advocate.
I’ve worked with many families from the other side, and I can honestly say that the majority of the problems in the cases I have personally observed could be resolved with a good, well trained intermediary. Because (and I will draw heat for saying this, but it’s true), I have not personally observed a single case of extended removal where there were not some home problems that needed to be remedied. That’s not to say that there aren’t bullies in the system, just that what I’ve personally witnessed hasn’t supported it. While I don’t agree that removals were always justified, I do agree that there were things around the home that needed fixing.
For instance, one family I dealt with had their children removed because they had no utilities in the home and nobody was working. They also refused to apply for government benefits. I tried to help the family, the father was working again for quite some time, but then found an excuse to quit job after job. I discussed ways to get their children back, but they never even put out serious effort. I won’t even begin to speculate why, but the truth is, they didn’t want their kids back bad enough to work for it. Not much you or I or anyone can do about that.
But I’d like to find a fair and reasonable way to help the families I CAN.
Make sense?
Comment by Gideon Macleish — October 2, 2008 @ 10:14 pm
Advocate,
No, I personally dealt with the family. They got their child back, of course, but the child WAS removed. I know you think anyone who speaks out against CPS is just a dumb hick, but some of us actually have an education and research our facts.
Sorry for trying to have a dialog with you. I suppose you’d prefer if I just called you names?
Comment by Gideon Macleish — October 2, 2008 @ 10:17 pm
Gideon-
Thanks for the change in attitude, now we can have an actual discussion. Do I have to be rude to get respect? Do you think of yourself as an uneducated hick because I never suggested that. Anyways…what were the allegations that brought CPS to the hospital? I ask this question because the chances of a worker taking a child just because a report was made are slim to none.
Comment by Advocate — October 2, 2008 @ 10:29 pm
First off, I think you misread my earlier posts. I have nothing at all against you personaly, and I actually appreciated your posts to Kandice. I think they did more good than most of the other posts out there.
The allegations against this family were failure to thrive, which you know can be rather broad. I do not know this family’s past history with CPS, all I know is that they did act very quickly, and on the report of a nurse.
Is this typical? 1. Not that I’ve seen, and 2. I certainly hope not. Were there deeper reasons that had to do with past history or with test results that were confidential? Possibly, I have no way of knowing. But I do think it’s fair and reasonable to ask questions, and to investigate.
I honestly want to work to help families meet in the middle, Advocate. We actually found CPS commenting on the manner in which we handled our investigation. I believe it is because we answered them promptly and thoroughly (within 24 hours of every contact), and because we worked with them to establish agreeable terms which respected our rights but gave them the information they needed. Do I think that makes us smarter than anyone? Nope, and that’s really my point: there IS a way to address these things that doesn’t require extraordinary intelligence or skill. All it requires is a cool head. And best of all, if by come chance you are in a system that IS corrupt, it gives you a solid foundation for appeal, should you need it.
But it’s hard to keep a cool head when you feel that your family is being attacked. Which is why I think an advocate for the family could do a world of good.
I admit, when I started out on this site, I saw everything in black and white: parents good, CPS bad. But over time, I have come to see the shades of gray that color so many of these cases. I understand why a worker, for instance, would not want to see a child in some of the environments they visit. And why a worker that sees this every day might err on the wrong side occasionally.
My goal is to try to help the families that want help to find it. And I think, truthfully, that helps CPS as much as it does these families.
Comment by Gideon MacLeish — October 2, 2008 @ 10:46 pm
Again, my advice for anyone undergoing a cps investigation where there was NO abuse is best: RUN, especially if you are in the state of Colorado!
Comment by Susan — October 3, 2008 @ 5:53 am
Erica, I’m so glad you’ve offered your wonderful insight for what’s in ‘the best interest of the children’. Yep, foster kids are MORE likely to be abused & killed in foster care than by their own parents. Of course the govt. doesn’t post these facts. Look at that child collecter in MD who stuffed her 2 foster kids bodies in a freezer. EVERYTHING our govt. touches turns to sh*t these days!
Comment by Susan — October 3, 2008 @ 5:56 am
I got this off AFRA. Please SIGN! Protect Kids & Parents Support a Constitutional Amendment that protects the vital child-parent relationship from unreasonable government intrusion. Go to
Parentalrights.org
Sign the Petition today!
Comment by Susan — October 3, 2008 @ 6:00 am
Erica,
First of all I don’t do drugs nor am I an abusive mother. I am not going to relive my story, but for those already on here they know exactly why my children were taken. Second of all how do you know that my children or anybody else’s children are better of with complete strangers? Are you so perfect that you think that you have the right to criticize and judge others? As I have stated numberous times I am not saying that I am the victim, my children are the victims. My children are victims of an over zealous judge and a caseworker who by far, did not do her job. I am so tired of coming on this site and seeing people just be horrible to one another. Fighting amongst ourselves is not bringing our children home. Where is the UNITY? I for one definitely know what each parent is going through, I am living it. I look at my appeals case almost everyday wondering if I am missing something, or if I read it wrong. I feel like I didn’t just lose my children once, now I have lost them twice. This time I don’t get another chance to make things right. We need to understand that parents who come on this sight have just been through hell, and are looking for some compassion and understanding. I don’t need anyone else thinking that I am a monster. I am human and I feel pain. I have to live with what I did to my children for the rest of my life. I made a promise to them when this first began that I would fight until my last breath. In my house a promise is a promise and frankly I have never went back on a promise made to them. This time however, I am afraid I will have to. I am out of options. Do you know how that makes me feel? Not only do I have to live with this broken promise, I have a 9 year old who thinks that his brother and sister will be home soon. His exact words to me were ” I know that when they find out that those caseworkers lied about you mommy, my brother and sister will be back home with us soon, and you won’t have to cry anymore.” Now I have to break his little heart and tell him they won’t be home for quite awhile. He has been a victim thorugh all of this, but has tried to remain strong for me!! I know that he is sad, and wants more then anything to tell his siblings that he loves them and wants things to be back to “normal”. How do you think I feel as a mother, to have to hurt him in such a cruel way? Have I suffered an injustice? No my children have, they will never know the heartache and the pain I feel knowing that someone else is watching their sporting events, teaching them how to drive, worrying about them as they go on their first date, missing prom and graduation. If you are not on this site for support, or guidance when why are you here exactly? To gloat on how perfect you are and how you still have your children? I totally believe in Karma, and while you are busy attacking others, watch out because Karma is preparing to give you what you deserve. You think you are untouchable, I have news for you, unless you are God they can come for your children too. You need to go to a sight dedicated to your cause,Tearing Families Apart, and leave us alone so that we may accomplish what we intended to do Bring home our children!!!!
Comment by Kandice Cantrell — October 3, 2008 @ 6:19 am
Advocate,
If CPS is doing nothing wrong then why do you need an attorney present when the person is video taping.
No one said to hide the video camera… We didnt’..
Of course nothing much was said until the case worker got back to her office then called yelling and making false allegations by phone.. We have those on recording as well.
Also, Mom of 4year old, if drugs were mentioned you might want to go and get a hair folicle test done now..
CPS will falsify a drug and hair folicle test results.. I know of several people they have done that to.
They tried with us, but then found out that we had already had one done and went back 4 months instead of 3. We also used their own lab…
Comment by Diando — October 3, 2008 @ 7:03 am
Needless to say they were NOT happy! LOL! Also stated it wasn’t allowed to be used in court..
MMMM, why can they use theirs and we can’t use ours… Done by same lab….
Comment by Diando — October 3, 2008 @ 7:05 am
Kandice,
Erica and Advocate are CPS workers…
Don’t take anything they say to heart.. It is all lies and poor advise.. you should know that you have been through the system..
They lie!
Comment by Diando — October 3, 2008 @ 7:07 am
Advocate,
I was not trying to offend you, I was asking where to go to help. Government officials are not interested in hearing a child abuser, claiming to be a victim. I know caseworkers have a tough job, but sometimes they jump to conclusions and before you know it they are into deep and the only way out is to keep digging. My caseowrker is a perfect example of this. She did not do her job, but instead of admitting she made a mistake, she put the full blame on me. As parents we must stand in a court of law and admit our guilt as a way of “righting our wrongs” and hopefully get our children back. However a caseworker does not have to do that. My caseworker lied under oath, can I prove it? As a judge who are you going to believe: A child abuser and her cohoerts, or a caseworker that you have worked with on many cases and know professionally? I had a physchological evalution a year and a half before this tragedy. According to this therapist I was fine, but the child would end up being a handful.He couldn’t understand why I never went to college, and claimed I was very intelligent. Now Cassopolis CPS therapist said that child was perfect accept for all the trauma he had been put through, and that I was unintelligent and was suprised I could even function. The first therapist does cases for DHS in Indiana as well as for Social Security. CPS in Michigan knew I had seen the therapist in Indiana, and they were the only ones allowed to get the report from DHS in Indiana. They admitted that I had been to see him regarding the child in question, but never gave the results of his findings. My caseworker would never in a million years say yes to video taping, or audio taping. I had someone who always listened to phone calls between her and I, but it was all hearsay evidence in court. According to Cass County, Michigan I am an alocholic, uneducated, child abuser that can barely function. Of course I have a GPA of 3.77 in Criminal Justice. This is while going to court, therapy and dealing with the loss of my children and working an 8 hour nightshift factory job. I understand that you are on this site to give advice, understand what parents have or are going through with CPS, but we cannot judge if these people are telling the truth or not. We do not know their stories and what kind of situation they are in. Like I have told you before, I have no reason to lie, I don’t know anyone on this site and I have never asked for anyone to pity me. I don’t pity myself. The minute I do that there is no hope of finding an answer. I know that you are not CPS, and that you cannot charge in there and demand for things to change. I have never said that CPS is a bad thing, I have said that the way certain CPS agencies function are wrong!!! My caseworker did not get the audio tape from a concerned person, but rather from a man who beat me. A month after my children were taken I returned to his home to get the rest of my belongings he beat me and tried to kill me for over an hour. She told him when she recieved the tape from him that she didn’t believe that he was abusing me and that he shouldn’t go to jail just because I said he did it. There were pictures!! Do you know what he got for this? A felony charge of striking an officer and he did 8 months. He was never charged with a trying to kill me, although the police officer testified and there was plenty of horrible pictures showing what he had done to me. Am I mad at the system? Damn right I am. That is why I have chosen this field. Things will not change unless we start to do something about it. I cannot just sit by and watch this happen to someone else. My children are expecting me to fight for what is right, and this is the only way I know how. I can type on here all day long and complain about all the injustices done to my family, but what good it do me? It doesn’t change a thing, my children are still gone and I am left with a big hole in my heart. You h ave to understand on this site, you are CPS you work for them, you take away children for them. It is not a personal attack on you, but on the system as a whole. People are going to be weary of you. Do you know how many caseworkers visit this site to use peoples pain as evidence? Do you know how many caseworkers visit this site and pretend to be victims, or want to “help” us. Erica and Sookie are perfect examples of people coming on here and flat out criticizing people who are hurt, frustrated and at a loss. We have lost so much already, we don’t need a constant reminder of that. Non of us are claiming to be perfect parents, we just want to know what went wrong, and how we can fix it. My children always thought I was SUPERMOM and could fix anything, well this is one problem I can’t. So where do we go from here?
Comment by Kandice Cantrell — October 3, 2008 @ 7:07 am
You know I almost feel sorry for them because I know they are going to hell….
But, we need the room in heaven for everyone to reunite with their God Given Children!
Comment by Diando — October 3, 2008 @ 7:08 am
Kandice,
You stated Erica and Sookie are perfect examples of people coming on here and flat out criticizing people who are hurt, frustrated and at a loss. We have lost so much already, we don’t need a constant reminder of that.
That’s what CPS’s job is.. They love to do it as well… They are very sick people…
Please don’t even read their comments….
Comment by Diando — October 3, 2008 @ 7:10 am
I am in chesapeake virginia and need a lawyer to help me. I was falsely accussed by cps and its been 6 years and i still have not had any success in getting them back. I want to see about appealing this false neglect to a higher court. If there are any lawyers out there who can help me please help me.
Comment by alvera — October 3, 2008 @ 7:24 am
I am in chesapeake virginia and need a lawyer to help me. I was falsely accussed by cps and its been 6 years and i still have not had any success in getting them back. I want to see about appealing this false neglect to a higher court. If there are any lawyers out there who can help me please help me. alvera in hamoton roads va
Comment by alvera — October 3, 2008 @ 7:25 am
Advocate and Erica….just admit it…..you are only on this site to cause trouble.
From your belittling remarks and blind support of CPS (along with your turning blind eyes and ears to the folks on this site), you show your TRUE CPS colors…….ignorant to what really happens to these families, indifferent to their pain, and argumentative and stupidly ASSUMING that everyone on this site must be guilty…….the SAME OLD CPS CRAP.
Oh, and Advocate - I am steamed about this NOT because I’ve had the displeasure of having CPS involve themselves in my life…..it’s after witnessing, and videotaping the lies and ignorance shown by CPS caseworkers and supervisors who REFUSED medical care to a friends grandchild, and by obtaining the REAL documents to show as proof in court that CPS was submitting FRAUDULENT reports. Got an answer for that one???
Seems the foster parents were so neglectful, and the caseworker and supervisor so stupid, they let a 2 month old get so severely ill in only 7 weeks of foster care (severe thrush, severe yeast infection, misshapen head, severe ear infection, a rash on her private parts that was oozing pus and blood, severe sunburn) that the judge returned to baby to the parents, and ruled that CPS was in MEDICAL NEGLECT of a baby! And on top of that, CPS hid the child from her parents and never informed the parents their child was so desperately ill due to CPS negligence.
Care to explain how that happened if CPS is sooooo wonderful about the welfare of a child??? Hmmmm???????? We even got an investigative report on tv about it. The supervisor and caseworker ON TAPE ignoring the medical plight of an infant. Seems to me they should be subjected to the same rules they apply to others.
By the way - you say CPS truly investigates families to make sure they are making the correct decision when trying to terminate parental rights. Explain this one….when my friends granddaughter was taken on a Sunday, why did CPS send a registered letter on Monday (the next day) with Termination of Parental Rights papers? Uh…..were they able to do a complete investigation in less than 24 hours….without telling anyone? I’d love to hear the explanation on that one.
I’m waiting with anticipation to hear your justification of that atrocity…..or don’t you have one…..ok…wait for it….wait for it…..
Comment by willfightforjustice — October 3, 2008 @ 8:21 am
Yes advocate- one more piece of advise and it IS NOT THE PITS as you say.
I have training in LAW! And yes, if the proper motions are brought forward in the order of protocal, THE VIDEO TAPE CAN BE USED!
And to beat you to the next condesending punchline you’ll type, just to make people believe you are better than me, my typing is bad, not because I lie about having training, but because you have me SOOOOOOOOOOOO ANGRY right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You don’t know it all as you suggest.
Comment by Cheryl — October 3, 2008 @ 8:38 am
Has anyone else noticed that Advocate’s writings are getting more and more insulting, argumentative and holier than thou?
Just like a CPS worker/lover…….and they wonder why we don’t trust them…..
I’m mad as a hornet at them too Cheryl, but right now I’m laughing myself silly just thinking of how they try to come off as soooooo high and mighty, but in reality are nothing more than sorry little humans who feel the need to feel superior over anyone. As everyone knows, bullies will always pick on the beaten down because they can’t handle an honest fight.
Comment by willfightforjustice — October 3, 2008 @ 8:45 am
Advocate,
That is so untrue… CPS jumps at any and every chance to take a child. Especially, if they can get a baby.
If they are able to get a baby their excuse for not giving the baby back (even when no neglect was ever found) is that there is no bond between baby and mohter.
The hospitals get paid to turn people in as well. They falsify test results too. They claim that people test positive for drugs even when the person didn’t take a urine sample.
It has been proven… I have seen it. I also saw the report that CPS used against my granddaughter, CPS lied and stated that she had marijuana, and other drugs in her system..
No, no marijuana was present, as far as the other drugs, they were given to her at the time she had the baby and there after for pain…
CPS didn’t know I had connections and would be able to obtain the report…
Caseworkers are nothing more than sewer line scum that are obviously so miserable in their own lives that they take pride in ruining others.
And yes, they only pick on the poor and uneducated so they know that they can win..
Or is it that you are upset about the measly 25,000 dollars a year you make? Is that what make you superiour to the lower income people?
Comment by Diando — October 3, 2008 @ 9:02 am
We live in AMERICA and are suppsed to be innocent until proven guilty..
However, ever since Clinton signed the Safe Families Act we are no longer safe..
What’s going to happen when the economy completely crashes? What are ya’ll going to do with those children then?
Ship them off on trains like CPS did before? Remember the Orphan Train?
History repeats itself.
Also, if you think that you are helping in anyway your not.. You are actually robbing you and your childrens social security!
Comment by Diando — October 3, 2008 @ 9:05 am
I have noticed just that. The more this discussion goes on, the more Advocate attempts to have total control over it’s direction.
And when it isn’t going his/her way, Advocate becomes even more aggressive in the writings.
Like that of an authoritve figure. He/she is acting as a “moderator” would. I have seen it in those monthly meetings by an assigned moderator we had.
She became very aggitated and more aggressive as the meeting went on. It just didn’t matter that the family was getting somewhere by hashing out issues; not to her.
It seemed the more the family accomplished, the more she would attempt to take things off course.
Family reunification? I think not.
Comment by Cheryl — October 3, 2008 @ 9:05 am
Hi my name is Ashley. My daughter was taken June 5th 2007. I have been fighting to get het back. I found out today she has a spiral fracture in her arm caused by the foster father. They are trying to termanate my rights to her and my infant son even though I have done everything they asked of me. If anyone can help me I would appriciate it. I have posted a petition on Care2.com It is called “my Kids need to come Home”
Comment by Ashley Cathers — October 3, 2008 @ 9:06 am
This is how high up the ladder the corruption is in CPS!
This is an article written in our newpaper about our Judge and our court appointed attorneys…
Too many cases’
These CPS cases are not subject to state indigent defense laws, meaning judges can pick whichever lawyers they want. About 22 attorneys get the bulk of assignments.
‘There are some attorneys there that are very good, and because they do a lot of work they have a lot of experience,’ said attorney Troy Sanchez, who works child abuse cases. ‘But then you have some that are maybe given too many cases, and they can’t put in the time that needs to be put into cases.’
Under the Texas Fair Defense Act, a law passed in 2001, courts should randomly choose attorneys from a pre-approved list of qualified lawyers. But the law also lets judges develop more flexible appointment plans, which the juvenile courts here have done.
Nearly half of all juvenile delinquency appointments have gone to about two dozen of the nearly 165 attorneys vying to represent these young offenders, payment records show. Two attorneys regularly appointed have disciplinary records with the Texas Bar.
Judges say they don’t check the disciplinary records of those they appoint and that they rely on the most experienced or available. But many of their top picks also are juggling additional cases in family or criminal courts.
One of the top earners, attorney Oliver Sprott Jr., has done court-appointed work in the adult criminal courts and helped handle a death penalty case while making nearly $200,000 a year in the juvenile courts since 2005, records show. Public defenders working full time on juvenile or child abuse cases in Dallas County earn between $70,000 and $113,000; Travis County pays between $50,000 and $100,000. Sprott declined to comment for this story.
When asked for a copy of the file from Oliver Sprott my son in laws attorney we were told he didn’t have a file on him… Now how can you represent someone without a file..
He did like us though and told us DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING AND YOU WILL BE OK!
Coruption, Corruption, Corruption… all for the mighty dollar…. Not one concern for the child or her heath!
Comment by Diando — October 3, 2008 @ 9:36 am
This is the rest of the article written
Friends, contributors
All three juvenile court judges have been accused, privately at least, of favoring longtime friends or campaign contributors when appointing lawyers to represent the poor.
But Shelton and Phillips bear the brunt of criticism. Both received more than 90 percent of their campaign contributions from those they appoint; Schneider took in about 74 percent from these lawyers, according to a Chronicle analysis of contributions since 2005.
Mark Sandoval, an attorney appointed almost entirely in Sheltons’ court, has also represented Shelton’s wife in a lawsuit related to a fatal car crash involving their daughter, who was convicted of intoxicated manslaughter late last year. Sandoval, who did not return calls for comment, continues to get appointments despite being twice suspended between 1997 and 2000 by the State Bar of Texas for professional misconduct.
And two of the courts’ top earners, Sprott and Glenn Devlin, who together earned $1 million from taxpayers since 2005, are longtime friends of Phillips and Shelton. Devlin was Phillips’ campaign treasurer and former law partner. And each year during baseball season another top earner, attorney Gary Polland, lets Phillips sit in his seats near home plate for a dozen or so games. The judge says he always repays Polland for the cost of the tickets and has taken pains — including limiting all donations to his campaign to $500 per person — to erase any appearance of impropriety.
For his part, Shelton says he gets no joy from his appointment powers and plans to study public defender offices in other cities. All three judges deny any correlation between contributions and appointments.
‘I would be happier if there was a public defender system,’ Shelton said.
The only formal complaint against the courts thus far took aim at Phillips. In 2004 and again in July 2006, attorney Marc Isenberg wrote to the state’s Task Force on Indigent Defense, which monitors compliance with the Fair Defense Act, noting that a handful of the same lawyers regularly represented poor clients in that judge’s court. The task force referred him to the Texas State Bar or State Commission on Judicial Conduct and sent courtesy carbon copies to the county and Phillips. Last year both Isenberg and his wife, attorney Miriam Riskind, were removed, in a secret vote by at least two of the three judges, from the list of attorneys allowed to take juvenile offender cases.
Phillips faults Isenberg, who got work in his court, for not coming to him with his concerns earlier but says he encouraged the defense attorney and his wife to reapply for the list, which they have done.
Client complaints
Leaving court recently, Falicia Stroud said she was impressed with the attorney appointed for her youngest son. But three years ago, her older boy, now 18, got sent to the Texas Youth Commission after his court-appointed lawyer advised him to plead guilty to a crime he said he didn’t commit, she said. Afterward, Stroud said, she tried several times to reach the attorney.
‘Once they sign the paper, the lawyer doesn’t want to talk to you,’ she said.
When she finally got through, Stroud said, the attorney told her he wasn’t paid enough to take the case to trial. Lawyers in Harris County are paid according to a fee schedule, usually between $300 and $800 per day for a trial or $50 to $100 an hour for out-of-court work.
Complaints such as Stroud’s are not uncommon.
Yolanda Washington took off work to take her 14-year-old son to court late last month. He got in trouble for stealing a car, she said, and they met Sprott, his appointed attorney, for the first time at his initial court date in May. Sprott rescheduled that hearing and did so again last month, Washington said, telling her he was busy with a trial.
For each reset, Sprott usually makes $75, and Washington misses a morning of work.
But many lawyers appointed in the juvenile courts say they take the jobs because they care. Even those who see cracks in the system doubt a public defenders office would be the fix.
‘The thing is most of us are parents that work up there,’ said Natalia Oakes, one of the top earners. ‘I am speaking for myself, but I think other people feel this way. We like helping children.’
sarah.viren@chron.com
Comment by Diando — October 3, 2008 @ 9:46 am
Ashley can you PM me… I can’t help you but may know someone who can…
Comment by Diando — October 3, 2008 @ 9:47 am
Cheryl,
In our so called Family Reunification meetings, whenever I questioned what was said, or told them it wasn’t true and wanted to show proof of their lies, the lady holding the meeting would tell me “We’re not here to discuss that right now”
What were we there to discuss then?
Also, they told me at the end they were going to adopt my granddaughter out, after only 4 weeks…
When we showed them the tape recorder, they disappeared like cockroaches when the lights are turned on…..
Was never invited back to another meeting. Why was that?
Comment by Diando — October 3, 2008 @ 9:53 am
I was also told that I could not obtain copies of the medical records of my granddaughter because I was not related….UH?
The real reason was because they didn’t have any.. My granddaughter had never seen a doctor and was very ill….
Comment by Diando — October 3, 2008 @ 9:55 am
JUVENILE COURTS
A select few get the cases, and the cash
The attorneys judges pick most are also campaign contributors
By SARAH VIREN
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Comment by Diando — October 3, 2008 @ 11:06 am
Diando-
it was exactly the same at our meetings. I attended every one for over a year despite being asked not to after the 1st one. When I pointed out a lie, “we are not here to point fingers” she’d say.
Funny, they were very busy pointing fingers at the parents, and that was okay.
The common thing was to open with “positive attributes” and only positive. But within a minute the moderator would say “okay, that’s enough”. Then right on to the negative attributes, which went on for the rest of the 1 hour meeting. No family member ever spoke out at this point, but the counselors, CW’s, CASA and Phys’ spoke for the rest of that hour. Our comments were reserved by the moderator to only asking retorical questions of these social workers, or answering their questions. If we didn’t answer, we were called uncooperative family members. Nothing happened when they ignored answering our questions. That was okay in the moderator’s eyes. Normal Oper. Procedure, was her favorite answer to everything.
I had been taking notes at every meeting, but soon charged up my battery to the camcorder/digital camera combo. Because I had noted that several times she had crossed the line to antagonize the parents, then characterized them as anger, uncooperative, bitter and mentally ill parents when we’d go to hearing.
Excuse me!! I would have been just as upset under any circumstance if those things were said and done. It wouldn’t have had to be a CPS case for me to be upset by these belittleing tactics.
They objected to the 1st time I showed up with the video camera, but as I declared the right to use it, and gave each person, including family members, the proper notice to film, rather than closing the meeting down, they proceeded. It was amazing how civil the meetings became and how much more was accomplished toward sending half the kids home quickly.
The camera put everyone in attendance on equal footing.
Comment by Cheryl — October 3, 2008 @ 11:51 am
Diando-
In my state (won’t say since we have guests), a Child Family meeting is OPEN to ANYONE that is assigned to the case OR a FAMILY MEMBER.
Unless that person becomes foul mouthed or dangerous to others, they CAN NEVER be refused attendance.
I did notice though, that when one foul word was said by a family member, they were asked to leave the room until calm. But when a parent said the same fould word (after a lie was told), that parent was not sent from the room.
Low and behold! That parent’s behavior was brought to the Judge at the next hearing and presented as “mentally ill with extreme aggression tendancies.
That parent felt pushed and reacted.
While it was the wrong word to use, it was understandable given the antagonization that had proceeded it.
My point- by getting that parent angry, they had usable material at the hearings.
Thank GOD - it failed. The Judge saw thru it all.
Comment by Cheryl — October 3, 2008 @ 11:59 am
As far as baby being taken from the hosp,yes they did.i have neveer been involved with cps,never had any kind of criminal backround,no drugs.oh single mom.24 hrs or so after my baby was born,it was about 3;00 am or so.ia am a smoker,i asked a nursse if i could go out and smoke a quick ciggarette,since baby was asleep.she said sure,just sign the baby in at the nursery,cause you can’t leave them alone in the room,i said ok.i proceeded out following the exit signs.found a door to the outside
i didn’t realize the door was propt open,i went out the door.in the dark corner were 2 nurses male and female,i dont know what they were doing,and honestly didn’t care.i was tired but wanted that cigg.one of them said oh sh###t she just locked the door!,i said sorrrrry kinda sarcastically i admit…anyway,iparden my grammer,i never was good at writing essays or had the gift if gab.
Comment by margie meeks — October 3, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
I did not attend anymore.. The parents did not even attend the 1st one.. They were not invited… Only myself and my husband.
When I asked about the baby’s health (the one question) I got answered sort of, the Moderator said she was fine… I then spoke up and asked about her so called heart murmur and mishapen head. I was told we were not there to discuss that..
Of course that made me angry and and said it louder and louder until I got an answer..
Finally the moderator asked the case workers if they had seen the baby recently and been out to the Foster parents home…
They were both stunned and did not answer immediately… One finally said he saw the baby today, which was an outright lie… The second question was never answered.. Not one time did any of them check out the home..
After the media got involved the Foster Parents dropped my granddaughter off at a 24 hr facility in the middle of the night… She still did not receive medical treatment.
This went on for over 10 days…..
The babies Peditrician called the case worker and her supervisor after seeing the pix’s of the baby and told her she would go anywhere in town or write a prescription anywhere in town for the baby.
The Peditrician was told DO NOT CALL ME AGAIN, IT IS MY DAUGHTERS BIRTHDAY!
That is how much CPS caseworkers care about a child….
Comment by Diando — October 3, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
After i finished my smoke i had to find another way back into the hosp,the main entrance,i took the elevater to the 3rd floor maternaty ward and guess who was there? those two nurses.i said i am here to get my baby and go back to our room.she said you can go but the baby stays here,i said excuse me she said it again.i said Why? she said my baby was breathing to fast,i said WHAT DID YOU DO?she just repeated the same thing.i then said i am staying here with my baby…i sat there in a chair for what seemed like hours and was soooo tired.not one nurse or dr. or anyone even looked in on my baby
i was the one watching her chest making sure she was breathing.she was in the same position i left her in.
i finally said to that nurse.we are going back to our room,you haven’t even looked in on her.she then said i would’nt do that if i were you.i said its my baby.so we went back to our room.i put my baby in bed with me and fell fast asleep.next thing i know i
hear keys or something,they flicked on the lights grabbed my arms,and someone said grab the baby grab the baby,5150.thats all i remember.
the next morning cps came to my room.i had no witnesses,didn’t know my rights,had never had to deal with the law or cps before.they even used my last name against me because i have a brother in the system at around the same time,being accused
of molesting his daughter,thats not me.just because he used my address at one time.i jumped thru every hoop they asked i took anger management classes,parenting classes cpr classes counseling,drug testing twice a week,worked a full time job,and visit my baby supervised once a week,i eventually had a nervous break down,oh and there is soooo much more.how the hell can they adopt my baby out?unless they had her sold already.those nurses would make remarks,oh she is perfect,blond blue eyed.noone will ever know what i went through all by myself.I WAS BULLYIED by sacto,ca
Comment by margie meeks — October 3, 2008 @ 12:32 pm
I’m soooo sorry Margie….. Did you get her back or have they already adopted her out?
I feel your pain even though this happened to my granddaughter. Although, we did not lose her… I got her due to CPS’s neglect and then she was finally able to go home to her parents..
You have friends here that you can talk to… I had nightmares…. My husband would wake me up.
I was saying the Lords Prayer and screaming for help from my grandmother, father and brother, all of which are deceast.
I will never forget the nightmares as long as I live….
Comment by Diando — October 3, 2008 @ 12:47 pm
As God is my witness we will take CPS down!
Comment by Diando — October 3, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
I believe that CPS does have the babies sold before they even take them.
I was told on accident by a case worker that she “NEEDED MY WHITE BABY”
Her food then came out of her nose and her mouth dropped to the floor as mine did…
That right there told me that they have them sold before they even get them.. Not to mention I’ve seen videos and articles of it..
Comment by Diando — October 3, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
no i never got her back,cps kept trying to find more reasons ,such as .
well i was 39 yrs old when this happend,i am now 48.they asked me
5months down the line if i had eveer used drugs,i was honest and said yes when i was younger,so then they then added drug classes,and said i also had a drug history,i have never had a problem or been convicted,that was when i was alot younger.they didnt know what to accuse me of,so they added more to my case plan all along knowing they had my baby promised to someone who wanted a perfect baby girl.my father and his wife tryed to adopt her,but they said my brother also used that address at one time and my dad got a dwi 25 yrs
before that .so that counted him out.
i really was bullied.and alone.
Comment by margie meeks — October 3, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
I’m sorry Margie. That’s why we fight CPS so vehemently, and that is why this site is so valuable!
We all need to bulldoze down the CPS veil of secrecy and shout it out loud to any who will hear. That is the only way anyone will ever know….and that’s what CPS THRIVES on - FEAR!
Keep the faith, do your best to keep track of your child……the fight has only just begun!
Comment by willfightforjustice — October 3, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
OMG i just read something that hit home,when they had my baby in temp placement i could visit once a week,these foster parents had two new borns,one my baby girl,the other
a baby boy.the female mom took care of the baby boy the male took care of my girl,thats what they told me in a joking way.i was able to feed my baby twice in that month,and i requested her diaper to be changed
because she was definatly needing it
everything was alway supervised mind you.i took off her diaper and
god da** red,oozing something,i had never seen anything like this i imediatly complained,they used that against me i was no longer allowed to feed or change her,another time,the male foster parent asked what nationality is my baby,i asked why? he said cause she has a big butt,can you believe that?there is so much more believe me….
Comment by margie meeks — October 3, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
I believe every bit of it… The people that they place our children/grandchildren with are usually sick people.
There have been many times that they had criminal records. Do you know their names?
Comment by Diando — October 3, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
diando and willfightforjustice,thankyou
i am not looking for pity,but my baby and i have been wronged.maybe the system is trying to clean up this mess now,but what about the past eight years.1999 they were out of control.
we can never get those years back.
i long to see my precious baby.
Comment by margie meeks — October 3, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
no but i know where they live or lived.
there is so much more,makes me sick
to my stomach.my baby head was flat and bald in the back,in a matter of weeks both new borns faces or heads started to swell,or something
but both babys started to look the same as far as the swelling.another visit i showed up and my babby was on the floor with a mobil above her head,at first i did’nt think much of it
until that fosteer woman asked me if my family had a history of blindness,or trouble with vision,i said no why? she said my baby would not respond ,she just staired off in space.
i then realized that the mobile had a mirror 2inches above the babys eyes
how long did she leave my baby on the floor looking at that mirror?
of course i got in trouble for that,and god forbid me if i shed a tear,cause i was mentall unfit.and could not have
visitations.the foster mother said she was going to take the baby to the dr for that reason,i asked if i could be at the appt.she said ok.i told that dr about the mirror the yeast infection or whatever it was ,and about the head swelling of both babys,that foster mother freaked out,my baby was then moved ,but noone told me why.sooooo much more.it has been eight years so i forget some details .but it’s comeing back to me.
YOU NEVER GET OVER BEING CHEATED .My maternal instincts
i had to bury.that is not easy,i can never have another baby at 48.my life is worthless now.
Comment by margie meeks — October 3, 2008 @ 2:24 pm
No, Margie, in a lot of ways, you’re at a new point in life.
Many of us still have to be civil because, having kids at home, we run the very real risk of having a string of investigations falsely launched against us because we dared oppose the system (I found this out firsthand). Because they can’t hold your children hostage, you are in a powerful position to speak out.
Comment by Gideon Macleish — October 3, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
Cheryl-
Your advice is the pits. I have training in cooking but wouldnt advise anyone to taste it, lol! How old are you? 12? Next…..
Comment by Advocate — October 3, 2008 @ 2:59 pm
Willfight…-
“Oh, and Advocate - I am steamed about this NOT because I’ve had the displeasure of having CPS involve themselves in my life…..it’s after witnessing, and videotaping the lies and ignorance shown by CPS caseworkers and supervisors who REFUSED medical care to a friends grandchild, and by obtaining the REAL documents to show as proof in court that CPS was submitting FRAUDULENT reports. Got an answer for that one???”
NOPE- have no idea what you are talking about- it wasnt my case.
“Care to explain how that happened if CPS is sooooo wonderful about the welfare of a child??? Hmmmm????????”
Nope, wasnt in that one either.
“By the way - you say CPS truly investigates families to make sure they are making the correct decision when trying to terminate parental rights.”
Nope, didnt say that. The investigation is done by that time idiot.
“Has anyone else noticed that Advocate’s writings are getting more and more insulting, argumentative and holier than thou?”
Yep, I did notice that…you idiot, lol! Wait for it, wait for it……..
Comment by Advocate — October 3, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
Advocate - of course you claim ignorance…that’s how CPS people like you work!
Thanks for being so stupid, I’m having a GREAT laugh at your expense! LOLOLOLOL
Comment by willfightforjustice — October 3, 2008 @ 3:14 pm
Guess what? I had yet another client thank me today for all that I have done for her!!!! Can you believe it? Does it make you upset that some workers do their job and do it well? Does it make you upset that someone has come to this site to call you out on BS? Does it excite you that “CPS” herself responds in an ignorant manner after she has been talked to like trash? Sorry I hurt your feelings, lol! It is what it is. I will tell more of my co workers about this site so that can join in to further upset the ones who know nothing of what they speak but check every second for something that they can “tell somebody off” about. Is this site even serious anymore? There are a few that are looking for help but the others are just plain comical. Keep talking this is entertaining….I will be waiting on the edge of my seat.
Comment by Advocate — October 3, 2008 @ 3:16 pm
Oh Willy-
You fight for nothing. At least I am witty with my responses. You are so predictable with yours, c’mon try again. Think hard……you can do it…..
Comment by Advocate — October 3, 2008 @ 3:18 pm
C’mon, dont stop now. Do you need some tissue? I noticed that you have been posting all day, do you have a real job? Besides carrying around a couple of papers in a folder looking for families that you can push deeper into hole…i meant, fight for? Get a life. Still on the edge of my seat……Make me laugh some more.
Comment by Advocate — October 3, 2008 @ 3:22 pm
This is too easy. You think while I take a break, k?
Comment by Advocate — October 3, 2008 @ 3:24 pm
Well folks, as you can see, Advocate is turning into the tried and true CPS liar and fraud.
Sorry toots, stupid is as stupid does, and you’ve proven yourself to be 24 carat, and I don’t waste my time on idiots, morons or psychopaths.
Too bad you can’t be original……
Comment by willfightforjustice — October 3, 2008 @ 3:26 pm
erica and advocate where are you at now? yes they do take new borns,and it doesn’t take much in some cases,i definatly don/t have the gift of gab,i odviously am not rich
and did not know my rights.sacramento ca
cps needs to be reformed
Comment by margie meeks — October 3, 2008 @ 3:31 pm
Thanks for the posts CPS. It just proves my point.
Ladies and Gents, advocate seems to porget about print screen ability.
The words choosen and the LOL attitude are the exact cockiness to which I have become accustom from a social worker.
I do love print screens. So does the media. They love to see 1st hand the belittling we put up with. At least the media I’m working with does.
LOLOLOLOLOLL , Advocate!!!!!!!!
Watch for your words in film footage someday. They’ll shed light on what we deal with.
Comment by Cheryl — October 3, 2008 @ 3:48 pm
Advocator-
Your sarcasm is that of a cocky college grad that knows it all because they learned it in a textbook.
Try some street smarts. It works.
I’d put you closer to 12 than I.
Comment by Cheryl — October 3, 2008 @ 4:15 pm
Advocate basically just threatened to encourage coworkers to use this site to harass people. I can’t be the only one who finds this disturbing. No matter, the IP’s can be tracked, and we can only hope they use work computers. I’m sure advocate’s bosses would LOVE that info.
I did not post anything harsh or combative in ANY of my posts, yet Advocate alleged that I did. Typical trick. Fortunately, there’s a good “paper trail” here to prove exactly who said what.
I agree not all of the advice here is good. But telling people to record conversations, that they have a right to refuse entry without a warrant and to seek legal counsel is not bad advice, it’s pretty good advice, actually. Odd that advocate would be so offended.
Comment by Gideon Macleish — October 3, 2008 @ 4:16 pm
Thanks Gideon-
It ALL, that I chose worked for me and several others that took that same advise. My kids are home!!!!
Granted each case is different and the advise seems the same, but people are smart enough to choose which peices of advise to use and which ones not to, based on their unique case and the people they have to pacify.
Sure all computer basics can be traced. Some easier then others.
But the paper trail is obvious if you read each in order of the 33 pages. Nothing ombative was said to deliberately antagonize advocate, yet we rec’d sarcasm and threats. I’d say the type of threat I would expect from my some who is in college now. He speaks in sarcasm within his text on a computer, too.
It’s amazing that people can be so brave and cocky on a computer and yet be so wonderful in person.
Computers allow people to be whatever they want unfortunately.
Comment by Cheryl — October 3, 2008 @ 4:31 pm
Advocate, if you would, briefly explain what your intent is, on this site. You fit the mold of a typical social worker, from what I read. Yet, you claim to be over-qualified for the job. That explains the superiority complex, my perception only. You may know the “strings” within DHS and your states’ statutes, somewhat. Even you err due to your own arrogance. My opinion. As far as recording goes, it does depend on the state. Some require that only one party need be aware of the recording, in order for it to be admissable.
Comment by daaronad — October 3, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
Daarondad,
But don’t you know? CPS workers have the right to bust into any house without a warrant, seize kids, and put them away with no responsibility to anyone?
It is absolutely true that CPS policies and procedures are a STATE matter; if that were not the case, hearings would be held in FEDERAL courts. If Advocate doesn’t know this much, Advocate is indeed poorly trained.
Advocate,
I’m disappointed. I genuinely thought you were one of the “good guys”. I’m sorry to hear you’re just another jackbooted thug who thinks acting under the color of the government gives you unlimited authority and a complete lack of accountability.
The mother probably thanked you because she was afraid you’d take her kids if she didn’t, not out of some feeling of gratitude.
One thing I will be glad to see with the recession: agencies like yours are likely to see a cut in funding. Here’s hoping you’re receiving an unemployment check by Christmas!
Comment by Gideon Macleish — October 3, 2008 @ 5:33 pm
Advocate, this site is not intended to be a personal attack on your credentials or involvement with DHS. You may not realize it, but you are treating many of these posters aggressively, ignorantly, biasedly and judgementally. I, and many others, are here because we DID make mistakes when dealing with DHS. We want to help others from making those similar mistakes. Is it, in your opinion, justifiable to punish the majority due to the the actions of the minority? Is it rational to take a child because a social worker states in the report that harm may come to the child in the future, even though nothing has been proven for the child to be in immediate risk? There are numerous loopholes within the law and DHS Policies and Procedures, in which, DHS is well aware of. They use these loopholes and manipulations well. The average parent is clueless of these tactics until it is, usually, too late. These atrocities do happen to parents. And, it effects, not only the family, but, the whole community. These atrocities committed by DHS happen much more often than you want to allow yourself to realize. People, who post on this site, have a good reason to speak rashly and without thinking their comments through. They have had there children taken from them or are in some dispute with a similar situation. Regardless of whether you feel that it may have been neccessary, or not, the pain is still present. Having a limb torn from my body would have been easier to cope with than having my children taken from me. But, they weren’t taken from me. I allowed it to happen due to my ignorance of the law and DHS “Protocol.” I gave them to DHS due to my ignorance. I took them back after I learned the law and the truth of how DHS operates. I wasted money on an attorney. I wasted time, trying to cooperate with DHS. What they did was, not only illegal but, immoral. My situation is far from unique.
Comment by daaronad — October 3, 2008 @ 6:00 pm
Advocate, you respond with negativity. You speak as if these type of accusations made against DHS workers could not happen, because you know how the system works. Regardless of the guidelines, training and statutes, children are removed illegally, OFTEN. It is proven in court to be a legal removal because most parents are clueless to the law. The court room is not a fair field when it comes to family court. Most of us, on this site, ARE here to help others in a positive way, through personal experiance. You have become the same type of person that you accuse others of being, on this site. A HIPPOCRATE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Exclamation Point. I ask again, “What is your intent on this site?” Peace and Blessings
Comment by daaronad — October 3, 2008 @ 6:23 pm
Daaronad-
If you are going to type a word in upper case and add ten exclamation points, you may want to make sure its spelled correctly, idiot. ~Peace and Blessings~
Comment by Advocate — October 3, 2008 @ 6:39 pm
I JUST THINK THE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REFORMED,I ‘m sure there are some workers that are honest,some are not.god bless the ones who are.and many children do need to be saved,but get it right ,do not assume every parent is guilty.you honest ones…you have to admit…the system was totatly out of control.i pray you get it right and save the the ones that truely need help,and screen these foster parents like you screen us.should be even more,cause they just want that check,
Comment by margie meeks — October 3, 2008 @ 6:39 pm
Cheryl-
All that legal training and you still cant spell “advice”? Wow! Impressive! Make sure you charge top dollar for those services, they will be lining up at the door. ~Peace and Blessings~
Comment by Advocate — October 3, 2008 @ 6:41 pm
Margie-
I dont screen foster parents. I am an investigator. The following is not directed to you, but:
I think that a major issue here is the thought that EVERYONE in CPS is a bad worker. People fail to realize that A-workers make CPS, CPS does not make the worker B-there are different disciplines/areas within CPS C-Not everyone who works for CPS practices like the corrupt workers mentioned in these stories (the real stories).
Comment by Advocate — October 3, 2008 @ 6:47 pm
Daaronad-
You can save the saga comments for someone you have not insulted (I’m playing an imaginary violin). Maybe you forgot all of the hateful, ignorant comments you directed towards me. Why would you only respond appropriately when I make negative remarks? Maybe you should assess yourself before “helping” real victims. Until then, stop posting just to post- at least stop directing your comments to me- you are only wasting your time as I never read the entire thing anyways. ~Peace and Blessings~
Comment by Advocate — October 3, 2008 @ 6:54 pm
I feel for anyone who comes to this site looking for real help. Try responding to those looking for direction instead of looking for “Comment by Advocate”. Wow, I’m popular!
Comment by Advocate — October 3, 2008 @ 6:56 pm
Advocate,
I’ve talked to many on the site, and I haven’t heard them say that all CPS workers are bad. Most criticize the system because of the flaws in the system.
Do you realize that your threat to flood this board with all of your coworkers only confirms people’s fears, advocate? You say you’re trying to help, but you’re quick to threaten people who dare ask questions.
You’re right about one thing. Nobody should blindly take advice from someone on this board. Nor should they blindly take advice from you. Neither you nor I are lawyers, advocate, and our advice should be taken for what it’s worth.
Why are you so worried about people learning about their rights? Inquiring minds want to know.
Comment by Gideon Macleish — October 3, 2008 @ 7:02 pm
Gideon-
Dont be disappointed, I dont know what you define as a “good guy” as I am not an actress, wrestler, etc but I am a good CPS worker, just ask the people I help everyday. No offense, but I dont care what some of the people on here think of me as they dont know me. I am not CPS, I work for them. If you or anyone else is under the impression that I am not to respond with human emotion to insults and remarks of hate you are sadly mistaken. It seems as though this so called power CPS workers are allegedly seeking is given by those of you who think that I am supposed to be some super human- thanks for thinking so highly of me but i decline.
And I ask that if you stop contradicting yourself to save face. Its not becoming of you.
Next……
Comment by Advocate — October 3, 2008 @ 7:04 pm
Gideon-
Shut up, please.
Comment by Advocate — October 3, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
Diando, you mentioned ignoring Advocates’ comments. I agree. I thought of that shortly after I understood why Advocate was here. Unfortunately, new victims come here everyday, and they are heated. I hope that Advocate will be the person that he/she claims to be, and stop causing more grief by trying to convince others that DHS is a good system. I know that it was originated with good intentions, but it has become immoral, and in my opinion, on the same scale as a terrorist. Actually, much worse. We pay the taxes that pay the wages that allow DHS and family courts to operate illegally. Advocate seems, to me, to be caught up in the system, and will reap in the benefits, whether monetary or self indulgance, until it gets too close to home or when we make a change. Either way, the change is evident and I have made a committment to myself, my children and all families to do what I can to ensure that the “GODLIKE” power of DHS is stopped.
Comment by daaronad — October 3, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
Giddy-
Why do you have to say “advocate” 50 times throughout your post? Thats aggravating. Your attempts to be sincere are blinded by your contradictions. Again, shut up, please.
Comment by Advocate — October 3, 2008 @ 7:07 pm
(Fill in blank with any username)-
I think daaronad needs to shut up too, lol!
Comment by Advocate — October 3, 2008 @ 7:09 pm
Advocate,
Yup, a jackbooted thug. Only one of those would feel that they and they alone have the right to speak in a conversation. You’ve proved yourself to be among the very worst.
No, I wasn’t contradicting myself. I was trying to be accommodating because I thought you genuinely wanted to help, not realizing you are just another liar.
And if you want me to shut up, you will need to take it up with the owners/admins of this site. Because the last time I checked, it was as much my right to post here as it is yours.
Comment by Gideon Macleish — October 3, 2008 @ 7:09 pm
Ok, I’m taking another break. I’ll be back later. Love you guys! Keep ‘em coming while I’m gone.
Comment by Advocate — October 3, 2008 @ 7:10 pm
Advocate,
well, see, “advocate” is the username you’ve chosen. I don’t fake sincerity, I am who I am. And I was raised with manners, to address people by name.
That doesn’t go away when I’m online.
But you’re right. It does seem odd to use the word “advocate” when addressing you. But “jack booted thug” takes a bit longer to type
Comment by Gideon Macleish — October 3, 2008 @ 7:12 pm
advocate ,whoever investigated my case,did not do there job correctly,in fact i think i dealt with several of you,weather you were investigaters or social workers i dont know .all i do know is that they had me sooo confused and shocked 24 hrs after haveing a baby,made me sign this and that and go here go there,do this and that…..wowww i dont care who you are ,under those circumstances,you possibly cant satisfy them.especially if you are a single mother,that does’nt know her rights.and just gave birth.
Comment by margie meeks — October 3, 2008 @ 7:18 pm
OK, I’m confused about something, advocate.
You keep referring to me insulting you. Please show me where I insulted you before you took it upon yourself to tear into me. I’ve looked back through the posts, and either you confused my posts with those of another poster or you are a bold faced liar, one of the two.
I know you’re not used to being held accountable for your words, but humor me this once. Go back through the posts, find a post that I made, and find where I insulted you BEFORE you started insulting me.
Comment by Gideon Macleish — October 3, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
gideon,thank you for the comment ,you made earlier in this post,i guess i am at a new point in my life now,and i can speak freely.i just don.t have a way with words.but i have nothing to lose now.and i can speak.i want the system to REFORM
MY BABY GIRL HAS PROBABLY BEEN THROUGH SOOO MUCH,I WILL NEVER KNOW.and the sad part is i was’nt smart enough to save her.
i was in a head on car acc at the age of 16 i went through the windshield
i now have a hard time with words,i know that sounds like a sorry excuse
but true.i think just fine .but have a hard time with words.i still know how to love.just not a fast talker.
Comment by margie meeks — October 3, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
Margie, I know the pain. I know what I went through. I’ll skip through how I faced it, night after night. Help others understand that they are not alone. We can stop DHS from getting away with the atrocities that they get away with. Never forget the pain. Speak out. Speak out for your children. Speak out for your children’s children. Speak out to stop the immoral and devestating effects that DHS has on unsuspecting families.
Comment by daaronad — October 3, 2008 @ 7:54 pm
Actually, i think that Advocate, the all-so mighty and knowledgable DHS investigator, is either drunk or on some very good medication, which is probably DHS approved, LOL. Stereotypical reaction of a DHS worker, when questioned on their purpose, is to take offense and to try to put the parent in their place. “How dare you question my authority. You will do as I say, or else I will put it in record that you are hostile and uncooperative.” This is not funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by daaronad — October 3, 2008 @ 8:08 pm
Thank you daaronad,i wont ever forget what we went through,that pain will never go away,and i will speak out
to stop the immoral and devestating effects this had had on us as well as many others.damn those that deserved it and bless those that did’nt
Comment by margie meeks — October 3, 2008 @ 8:23 pm
I haven’t mentioned, lately, but it is a fact that DHS monitors this site. In some states, this will be used against you in court as aggressive behavior, etc. I’m saying this, not to stop you from speaking out, but to encourage it. We CANNOT allow this to continue.
Comment by daaronad — October 3, 2008 @ 8:24 pm
is it to late after eight years to try and
get my girl back?she was a new born at the time of removal.is eight now,i havent seen her since she was a year or so old.cant i enjoy some of her life?i was told i have to wait until she is eighteen is that true?
Comment by margie meeks — October 3, 2008 @ 8:33 pm
For any regular posters on this site, I ask that you do as Diando suggested. Do not respond to Advocate. Advise any new posters to do the same. Advocate is a detriment to this site intended on helping families and children. Please, don’t waste your time responding to ADVOCATE.
Comment by daaronad — October 3, 2008 @ 8:44 pm
Margie, I wish that I had an answer for you. I don’t. I will tell you this, you are her mother, that cannot be taken away. Mistakes are always in the past. What you do today makes a difference. Sometimes it is hard to make the right decision. To err is human. To learn from our mistakes is also human. Teach others and give them the best advise that you can. That’s the kind of person that I would want raising my daughter. Someone with the “Best intent for my child.” Which is the parent. I don’t know your whole situation, but my advise stands. Live your life for her and don’t be disuaded by DHS.
Comment by daaronad — October 3, 2008 @ 9:10 pm
As of right now, Advocate and Erica are being BANNED from this site for rude behavior. I’m sorry this went on so long, and am grateful to the people who notified me of the situation via email earlier today.
Comment by Linda — October 3, 2008 @ 9:42 pm
Everyone,
Why are people so hell bent on coming to this site and hurting people that have already lost so much? Advocate started off “trying to help people” and then one by one started demoralizing people? This is supposed to be a place where parents could come and bounce ideas and frustrations off of each other. How many more social workers are going to invade this site and traumatize parents? I am not afraid I welcome them, I have nothing to fear they already “sold” my children, but what about new parents that have just lost their world? Are they going to feel safe? Is nothing sacred anymore? First they invade our homes, our personal lives and now cyberspace? This is not a police state, but rather a CPS state. Do they really think that they have that much control? Advocate talked about someone being on here all the time and not having a real job. She/ he has been on here quite a bit, no kids to steal or business is slow? This person just proved how evil the system truly is. When you can take someone’s pain and make a total joke and mockery out of it. When it came to answering tough or personal questions, advocate became angry and began making fun of people and belittling them. What kind of degree does Advocate have? My “investigator” had a license to practice cosmetology and this gave her a right to take away my children. We may not all have a college degree, but we do have a degree in experience. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out how CPS works, my 9 year old did it. Maybe he should make plans to work for CPS. How hard can it be to falsely accuse some one, type up a piece of paper, lie to a judge and kidnap a child? We are all very aware that CPS workers use this site everyday, so her/his threat is meaningless. I cannot believe our tax dollars are used for such ill behavior. I am glad that advocate has been banned, however this person will find another way to access this site, and continue to abuse parents. As long as we keep a watchful eye out they shouldn’t last long.
Comment by Kandice Cantrell — October 3, 2008 @ 11:23 pm
Thank you, Linda.
Looking back through the postings, I believe Advocate may be a personal stalker. Her first post came less than 2 hours after my first post in coming back. And it explains the personal attacks from her end (I’m glad I have a paper trail).
I’m sorry if I accidentally brought baggage with me in returning to the site. It wasn’t my intent.
Comment by Gideon Macleish — October 4, 2008 @ 6:48 am
Don’t worry Gideon - if he/she was a stalker or a CPS worker, Advocate has proven that he/she is nuts and will use the internet to threaten people.
Linda, thanks for banning them. It might be an idea to follow that IP address to it’s origin. If it IS truly a CPS worker, wouldn’t it be an interesting thing to file charges against them for cyberspace threats and bring their evil ways out into the open again to show the world just how far CPS will go to threaten and intimidate people? The more they get exposed for their behavior, the more the unknowing world will learn.
Comment by willfightforjustice — October 4, 2008 @ 7:05 am
By the way, suspicions are confirmed. Just want to take a moment to offer a reminder that people who know you may troll these sites.
I’m just glad this former “friend” wasn’t able to bait me into giving the expected response. I look forward to sharing these notes in a court at some future date.
Comment by Gideon Macleish — October 4, 2008 @ 10:13 am
I’m glad for you, Gideon, and sorry you had to go through that.
It will be wonderful proof of how CPS deliberately hounds people and does whatever they can to keep bring families down instead of help them.
Makes me think of what a friend told me once……..give them enough rope and they WILL hang themselves.
Comment by willfightforjustice — October 4, 2008 @ 10:49 am
Of other interest, I recommend joining the John Birch Society. They have a webpage online. Why? Because they just did a six part series on Youtube regarding Child Protective Services corruption, they have money and backing, and they are committed to small government. You can join free or with a paid subscription. If you can, write them a BRIEF reason why you are joining, and send it in the mail with $1 to $5 in it for donation. Don’t put your whole story in there because they don’t have time to read lengthy issues. Something simple like:
I am joining up with your fight against bigger government because my family is being subjected to Child Protective Services action unfairly and without due process of law. Please continue to fight this fight and I will alert everyone I know to join and financially participate.
Sincerely, (your name)
Ima CPS Victim
Comment by Jan Smith — October 4, 2008 @ 10:58 am
Now, as it pertains to Advocate and other CPS persons, I invite discussion with any and all Parens Patriae related persons. I set up a discussion board just for this purpose to include CPS and attorneys. As far as I know, there is no other discussion board that attempts to have these discussions. If some of you “stronger members” would like to participate in solution focused ideas on how to fix the system, go here: http://wsef.forumotion.com/
I ask that anyone who signs up on this discussion board be respectful of ALL opinions. It may get rugged from time to time. Once you sign up, a chat room will appear at the bottom in addition to the blog.
Jan Smith
Washington State Extended Families
Comment by Jan Smith — October 4, 2008 @ 11:17 am
For those of you under CPS action, I DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT YOU TELL YOUR STORY. Stick to the solutions.
Jan
Comment by Jan Smith — October 4, 2008 @ 11:30 am
I am a Washington state mother who has experianced the horrors of not knowing where your children are.
It wasn’t what they were doing to ME that was so horrific but what my kids went through and are STILL going through ( 5 years later, even after they are home)
I live by a very simple motto
” Do what you want to me… I can handle it, but leave my kids ALONE! ”
I had a court appointed liar that sat me down in a room and explained to me that if I was found guilty of even one accusation that I would NEVER see my kids again.
He didn’t have the time nor the inclination to actually apply his skills as an attorney so it was it much easier for him to just throw my kids to wolves.
He also promised me that if I agreed to their ( CPS) recommended services then I would have the kids back within 2 to 4 months.
In reality it took 18 months and the list of services were growing at the whim of the social worker.
If I could go back in time I NEVER would have agreed to anythng and I would have reported the attorney and sw to the ombudsman services.
Hindsight… but when you are experiancing terror beyond what you could ever have imagined you tend to do exactly what the “bad guy” wants of you, just to get your children home where they are safe and loved.
I will continue to pray for all the devastated families and if anyone needs to vent I am open and avaiable.
I understand!
God Bless
Comment by Nicole — October 4, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
Dear Folks:
Thanks to advocates in the following states good parents are getting help. However, many advocates only choose to help *good cases.*
And there are innumerable good cases. Ask Mr. Gates in TX.
Here is a partial list of states with advocates.
AK
AZ
CA
CO
CT
NY
KS
IL
IN
MO
GA Lots of em
OH
TX
PA
WA
OR
Suggest you all take a look at state pages under AFRA
familyrights.us
From there click on:
Site Contents
From there to Members & Friends.
This is a partial list. Suggest folks look under Blogs using the name of their state CPS agency. Like, FSSA= Indiana
Ask around. Check with an Internet saavy librarian or someone who is a paralegal.
Diandro has also had success in Small Claims court vis Judge Judy,
As I understand it, the show will air CPS related cases often if they have a hook with a contract attached to it.
BTW, another CPS unlawful call was aired on JJ Oct 3.
JJ was in Family Court and knows the way of the scammers.
A really helpful person to be friendly with is someone who is a paralegal. They should be able to point you to good attorneys within your own county.
May I suggest that newbies use the I need a CPS attorney and please, indicate your state, somewhere.
There is help. It may be difficult to find but it does exist.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Best. F.
Comment by Fern — October 4, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
I thought erica and advocate were banned,erica get to work and start saveing the children that need HELP
and leave the falsly accused alone!
Comment by margie meeks — October 4, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
ERICA, I’M SORRY YOU MUST BE A COLD BLOODED WOMAN,IF YOU THINK IT’S THAT EASY TO FORGET YOUR CHILD AND GET OVER IT AND MOVE ON.I GUESS THATS WHY YOU WORK FOR CPS.
Comment by margie meeks — October 4, 2008 @ 3:01 pm
THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE CHECKED ON THE FOSTER HOMES
THEY SEND NEW BORNS TO ,WHEN THEY HAVE GREEN AND RED STUFF OOZING FROM THERE PRIVATES.WHAT THE H##L
MY POOR BABY COULD’NT TALK.
THAT HAPPEND IN FOSTER CARE.
I NEVER EVEN HAD MY BABY HOME.
SINCE BIRTH.HELP THOSE BABYS AS WELL.
Comment by margie meeks — October 4, 2008 @ 3:06 pm
I am/was a homeschooling mother. On August 27th CPS came to my home after a call that my boys were climbing out windows and that my school aged children were not attending school. While, it is true that my homeschooled, school aged children were not attending school, and, yes, my son did climb out of his window… the incidents were benign. My then 2 1/2 year old son had figured out how to take the child proof lock off the window and climbed out while he was supposed to be napping. He was back inside within a few minutes and the window was relocked tighter (it was loose.. that’s how he got it off). It also happened 4 months before it was reported. The call was made just days after I told my neighbor to stop moving my sprinklers. The cps worker then took pictures of the dishes in my sink and the laundry I needed to wash and the cheerio and pancake crumbs under my daughter’s high chair and claimed that my house was too dirty. I was also remodeling 2 bedrooms so she took pictures of those too. I noticed, however, that she was angling the camera to exclude the clean counters and floor from the shots. She called my husband at work and told him to take the kids from the house for the night so I could get things clean (we are separated. While I was gathering clothes for the kids for the night my son grabbed and item next to my desk that I needed to repair and was playing with it. This was while my husband and the caseworker were in my home with him.
24 hours later they came home and she told me that she would be coming back a few days later to interview my school aged kids. I really didn’t want her talking to my kids but I didn’t realize I was able to have someone with them. She spoke to them on September 4th for about 10 minutes. When she came back in she told me that there would be court papers coming, but not to worry about them because the court date was simply to appoint a more permanent caseworker. I figured that innocent people often get caught up in this and we are just going to have to put up with it for a bit until I can prove to them that I’m a good mother.
On September 17th I received the court summons. The items listed made me look like a monster. She said that my house was filthy (laundry, dishes and needing to vacuum and mop doesn’t equate filthy in my book), that my 7 year old daughter takes care of the younger children and burned her hand cooking pancakes for the family (I tell her to stop trying to take care of everyone all the time, and she wanted to help me cook the pancakes so I let her stir the batter for a second, I helped her pour 1 pancake then flip that one pancake when she bumped her knuckle on the griddle. There is no mark whatsoever where the burn was), that I sleep all day (absolutely untrue), that I’m refusing to take medication (I was told to stop taking it), that I’m severely depressed (I had post partum depression, but it hasn’t been a problem in a while), that the bedrooms are destroyed and uninhabitable (they are being remodeled), that the bathrooms are inoperable and the kids are unable to bathe in them (she didn’t even look at the bathrooms and the kids take showers, not baths), and that I refuse to let my husband take the kids overnight (he had moved out just 2-3 weeks before her first visit and he was on a business trip the first week he was gone, and getting settled in the rest of the time. I was the one initiating overnight and day visits), and that my son was playing with a broken piece of furniture with nails sticking out of it (that’s the item that he grabbed while I was gathering clothes while 2 capable adults looked on. The item was NOT furniture and did NOT have nails sticking out of it), and that my 11 mo old was only breastfed and appeared to be nutritionally deficient (my family is small by nature. I was 95 lbs at 18 and ate like a glutton. She was eating a pancake and cheerios when the caseworker came. She has been on solids since she was 6 months and finger foods since she was 8 months. I took her to have a blood test done for malnutrition and was told she is perfectly healthy). The one that bothered me most, though, was the comment that my children are educationally behind their peers (my 2nd grader is able to read at a 5th grade level, can add, subtract and was beginning multiplication, she can find her home on a map, the US on a globe. Was learning the differences between solid, liquid and gas matter, etc. Above her peers by this states educational standards). Now, keep in mind she spoke to my kids for just a short amount of time so there was no way she could have possibly done a proper assessment of their intelligence. I had asked her while she was here on the 4th if she was going to try to take the kids from me when she mentioned that she needed to inspect my husband’s father’s home, which is where he took them overnight. She said that she wasn’t going to try to take the kids. The request was to remove the kids from my custody and give them to my husband until the home is ‘habitable’.
I figured that meant just until the rooms were done. While at court they did, indeed, take the kids. The judge was practically yelling at me over the ‘lack of education’. This was on September 30th. I asked for legal representation. I asked for help to finish the rooms to, maybe, hopefully, get my kids back at the continued pretrial. That was on October 2nd. I was unable to get help finishing their rooms so I wasn’t expecting them to come home, but I also wasn’t expecting for my visitation to change. I am now only able to see my kids for about an hour a day and that is simply to continue breastfeeding my daughter. The GAL claims that I am mentally unstable and unable to care for the kids. She claims that I am not stable enough for unsupervised visits. She has made it clear that she is against homeschoolers (this is well known to the caseworkers). Even the attorney for CPS was arguing the more stringent visitation rules. They agree that my younger children, at least, need to be with their mother more than just a short amount of time a day. When the attorney for CPS mentioned breastfeeding the GAL said “She is now on solids. She’ll be fine”
My 7 year old is showing signs of depression. My 6 year old is reverting into herself. My 4 year old is more sensitive than normal. My 3 year old barely talks anymore. My 11 mo old clings to me when she sees me and cries when I leave. How can this be good for them??
I need to be able to see my kids more. They are not taking this well. Would it be possible to have my attorney request a new GAL based on her biases against homeschoolers??
Comment by Missing My 5 — October 4, 2008 @ 3:15 pm
I forgot to add that supposedly there are new allegations. No one will tell me what they are. My attorney doesn’t even know.
Comment by Missing My 5 — October 4, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
Margie - ignore Erica. She is a small minded person who feels the psychotic need to make herself seem more important that she truly is.
Her threats have been noted, printed and forwarded.
Comment by willfightforjustice — October 4, 2008 @ 3:54 pm
Sorry ’bout that… Erica came back in with a different IP number and bypassed my filter. I will keep an eye on this and delete any further messages she posts.
Erica… no, I don’t ban people who “defend children”…. I only ban intentionally rude people, like you.
Comment by Linda — October 4, 2008 @ 4:17 pm
Dear Missing my 5:
Some states do NOT require attendance at government schools till age 8.
Check out hslda.org They have a chart of state age requirements to attend school.
If you post your state, we will try help you connect further with folks.
Check out
familyrights.us
Under SITE Contents
Thence to Members and Friends, thence to your state.
Best. F.
Comment by Fern — October 4, 2008 @ 5:08 pm
to missing 5 i will include you in my prayers every night along with others
that are struggling to correct this system.bless you
Comment by margie meeks — October 4, 2008 @ 6:11 pm
I have to agree with Jan. Do not rush to the media. Get your children home first. Do not trust CPS and do not trust the media.
No one can do this for you, you have to do it yourself.
Godspeed to all.
Maggie
AND regardless of what Advocate had said-get a private attorney now.
Also, if you are being discriminated against because of your gender, your disability, your race, your marital status or any other factor covered by federal law, reach out to those organizations to help you.
CPS hates the Law. It scares them because they feel they are above the law.
USE THE LAW.
Comment by MaggieC — October 4, 2008 @ 6:36 pm
Not sure if advocate is still here. But the answer to your very rude question is, as I have stated many times, I am not an attorney but I do work in law.
I read law. I work in law. I am an employed paralegal and a pro bono family and constitutional law advocate well known both locally in NYC and nationally.
Law School is in the works once my children have completed their college education-one down, one to go.
I would not for one moment overstep my position as a paralegal to practice law without a license as you have done as I am bound by the ethics of my profession as well as being bound by ethics in general.
I do not know who you are but by your many posts I believe you to be a very ignorant and abrasive individual who perhaps has come onto this site to cause havoc.
If you are indeed a CPS worker, I long to know your name, your position, your state agency for I will file a complaint forthwith concerning your activities on this site.
Maggie
Comment by MaggieC — October 4, 2008 @ 7:07 pm
Maggie,
As I listed above, Advocate was here on a mission. If you look closely, her “introductory” post in September was less than two hours after my first post upon returning. I have good information that she was trying to get me to lose my cool on here so that she could use my reaction to substantiate some of the lies that have been told about me and my family.
Nice, huh?
I’m not sweating it, though. There’s a nice “paper trail”, and this just adds ammo to an already thick file for me to begin legal action. Advocate made a “boo boo” on this one!
Comment by Gideon MacLeish — October 4, 2008 @ 7:36 pm
Gideon,
If she is a bonafide CPS worker, please send me a prvate message.
Maggie
Comment by MaggieC — October 4, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
Maggie-
I didnt ask you any questions. Again, READ what I type.
Comment by Advocate — October 4, 2008 @ 8:30 pm
Gideon-
Send Maggie her private message and stop adoring me so much. Dont be mad at me for calling you out- if I were a hypocrite I would expect the same. It is what it is. You may not like it but you respect it.
Comment by Advocate — October 4, 2008 @ 8:35 pm
Jan-
I think that a post site for CPS workers is a great idea, thanks for the info. I do apologize to you and everyone on this site who has remained civil. Name calling, insults is truly not in my character. A seperate discussion for good workers is much needed as even when I did try to have real discussions, I was often attacked, insulted, and my words were manipulated. I think that it is important for EVERYONE to be respectful to the ideas/thoughts mentioned as the main objective of this site is to be a support. In my everyday practice I am an advocate for my families but I will do what is necessary when it comes to protecting children. True, people will sometimes speak out of emotion but the very thought that someone would label me as a NAZI when I work extra hard, several extra hours, and speak up extra loud when I feel like someone over my head chooses to hinder a family’s growth is beyond disrespectful. I will no longer allow myself to stoop down to the levels of those with the wrong objectives. Again, I apologize to you and those not involved. ~Peace and Blessings~
Comment by Advocate — October 4, 2008 @ 8:59 pm
Bleh! No one told me there was a mamba line so we could see ‘how low can you go’.
What a shame …..the lengths that some people will go
Comment by momoffor — October 4, 2008 @ 8:59 pm
so now you are going after people for expressing an opinion on your website….amazing
Comment by Erica — October 4, 2008 @ 9:02 pm
Maggie, Gideon, everyone who comes on this site, I am no lawyer, very far from it. But, I have educated myself in Oklahoma law and OKDHS Policies and Procedures, etc. I’ve found some very ironic statutes in my states law. I am sure that every state is similar. Many actions would be felonies if it were not for a safety net within the law. Please, everyone, learn your states’ statutes and cross reference it with DHS in your state. That’s how I was able to regain my sanity. That’s how I was able to stand up against the corrupt system. I know that it may not apply to everyone and many may not have the patience or willpower to do the research. That’s how I learned the truth when noone would listen to me or give me an answer as to”How could this be happening?” The law is what they use. The law is corrupt in many aspects. But most importantly, they use YOUR ignorance of the law to coerce you into ceding to their every whim. I still wonder today, if they came to me again with the same attitude and arrogance, would I not be intimidated? I know their power. I know what they are capable of. Luckily, my children are almost adults. I don’t forsee them bothering my family any further. However, they are still functioning. And, my children will have children some day. So, I will remain on sites, such as this. I will continue with AFRA. I will do what I am able to prevent others from having to deal with a true misinjustice of the worst kind. Noone should have their children used as leverage or as an intimidation factor. That is not only un-American, it is inhumane.
Comment by daaronad — October 4, 2008 @ 9:15 pm
Fern, I’m in Utah. The compulsory age is 6 here. The laws here are very lenient. A compulsory attendance form is required annually for all children between 6 and 18. There is no deadline for the form to be filed and no requirements to show curriculum or testing. Everything is up to the parents unless you are reported.
I believe they are using my mental health history as a basis to keep my children from being homeschooled. This has been my belief from the moment I finished reading the summons. There are too many exaggerations and lies to be anything but a bias against something, and homeschooling and more natural parenting is the only thing I can think of they would have against me.
I am scheduled to begin seeing a counselor on Tuesday. I’m hoping that speaking to someone that will listen to me and will be able to determine from a professional standpoint that I’m not mentally unstable will bear some weight in court. I’m also doing this, though, because it’s hard. This is the worst pain I have ever felt. Most people I talk to try to tell me what to do. I don’t need that. My attorney will tell me what to do. When I talk to a specific friend or my mother about this they simply listen. I feel better after just getting it out without feeling like I have to answer to anyone right then, so I know that talking to a counselor will help.
Margie Meeks, thank you. Honestly, before this happened to us I mostly believed everything that cps said about other families. Now I see the truth and know that not only do innocent people get caught up in it, but cps will lie to make their case.
I sincerely want to apologize for blindly believing that cps couldn’t lie and that all children removed from their homes were taken for good reason. I know that isn’t true now and I feel horrible for the judgments I have passed on likely innocent parents. I believed that the innocent families that get caught up in it never lost their children. I believed that there were checks and balances in order to keep the innocent families together. I was wrong. I apologize if I may have judged any of you in the past.
I will keep you all in my prayers as well.
Comment by Missing My 5 — October 4, 2008 @ 11:20 pm
Homeschooling in itself is not a CPS issue. The other things are- NOT SAYING THAT THEY ARE TRUE. I had a case once where the allegations included inappropriate discipline and educational neglect (mom was homeschooling the children). I could only look into the discipline part and pass the educational piece onto the appropriate State agency. I dont think that homeschooling should be an issue to anyone- if you are able to teach your children at home while at the same type they develop the necessary social skills, it should be encouraged. ~Peace and Blessings~
Comment by Advocate — October 5, 2008 @ 12:21 am
I was just told by my 7 year old that when she asks when she can go home she is told “You are home” and when she clarifies that her home is with me she is told she won’t be coming home for a while.
I’m so angry right now!!
Whenever I see them I’m pushed out the door the second the buzzer buzzes! Last night my baby was practically pulled out of my arms as she reached for me saying “Mama. Mama.”
Comment by Missing My 5 — October 5, 2008 @ 10:18 am
MISSING MY 5,i know exactly how you feel,just hang in there if you can.
someday we will figure out how to correct the system,not ban it …..just correct it.
Comment by margie meeks — October 5, 2008 @ 10:36 am
Gosh if i did’nt love my baby,why does it still hurt so bad?why am i on here ?why am i praying for some kind of reform for the system? if i was’nt a good parent ,dont you think i would be happy to have my baby raised by someone else so i could be free to do whatever i wanted to? no, I LOVE MY BABY. and everyday and everynight i will pray for the innocent,as well as those that have and are being abused.
Comment by margie meeks — October 5, 2008 @ 10:44 am
MIssing My 5-
I am so sorry that you and your children are going through this. Its hard enough for me and my husband to not respond after our child every time she sighs so I can imagine the hurt you feel not being able to comfort your when they call for you. Its truly sad. I worked with families in an aftercare residential substance abuse facility and my worst experience was CPS coming to pick up of my client’s 2 year old daughter after my client had decided to return to her old life on the streets. She had already been TPR’d on her other 4 children and had promised to do what she needed to keep this one. I was outraged at her for letting her child return to the system. The child called for her as the worker carried her away but the mother just kept walking. Just writing about it disgusts me. In your case (and a lot of cases) you really wanting to be with your children and being willing to put forth the effort to get them back is commendable and I wish you the best. Just try your best to follow through on the plan set up for you- keep a copy of it so you can address the goals and show your progression. I’ve said it before- making changes (CPS required and personal choices) is the best thing anyone can do as everyone makes mistakes and need to learn from these. Keep copies of all of your records and continue to advocate for you and your children as you all need to be together. Are the children still with your husband? Is he required to do anything? Is he supportive of you in your battle? Like many CPS agencies, where I practice, we encourage the placement (relative, foster parent, etc) to be supportive of the parent and the changes they are making as they must understand that they can never take the place of the biological parents and their position is not designed to be long term. The goal is to reunite families after the issues have been addressed. Again, I wish you the best. ~Peace and Blessings~
Comment by Advocate — October 5, 2008 @ 11:45 am
That’s how I see it Margie. If I were a horrible parent would I be here trying to fight or would I be out living the life of an obligation free single adult?
I love my children and it’s obvious that parents that will fight are the parents that truly were wronged.
My children will need therapy. Their stable home has been ripped out from under them. No child deserves that.
Comment by Missing My 5 — October 5, 2008 @ 11:59 am
Missing my 5,
I know what you are going through. It has been a year this month the 11th to be exact, since I got to see my 3 children. I would like to say it gets easier with time, but I would be lying. I unfortunately lost my TPR hearing on March 11, 2008 and my appeal last Sunday. I think as parents when we are going through something as horrible as this we go on auto pilot. We are lost,confused and shell shocked. While you have visitation with your children I would encourage you to hold them tight and tell them constantly that you love them, and that they are always in your heart. Don’t let CPS see you upset, cry, or be angry. See this gives them pleasure and lets them know that they are in control. I am so sorry that you are being put through this horrible trauma, I definitely feel for your children. They don’t understand why they can’t be with mommy, and no matter where they go it is not home. Take this ordeal learn from it and put it to good use. I know this sounds crazy, but through this I have gone back to school to hopefully make a change in the system. I encourage you that no matter what they ask of you, go above and beyond what is expected, they are looking for you to fail as a way of justifying the reason they took your children. Don’t give them the satisfaction!!! I will be praying for you, and your precious children. If you ever need an ear I am here, I am in another state, so I don’t know too much about laws where you are, but I would love to be sounding board. One day we will find a way to reform the system so that good parents don’t lose the most important treasure in life, the opportunity to raise our children!!
Comment by Kandice Cantrell — October 6, 2008 @ 5:40 am
Thanks LInda, for banning those people; Erica nad Advocate…and I use the term loosely.
I also love paper trails. I am working with a media outlet and 2 attorney’s now that the family has all the children home, in one home or another for now.
Case workers don’t think sometimes.
Comment by Cheryl — October 6, 2008 @ 8:06 am
I am retired Law enforcement (not anything to do with child welfare ever). We have temp custody of our grand kids. My concern is this: my daughter is ‘listed’ in state database, and has been told this will keep her from ever being able to complete and be licensed as an RN. Anyone know if this is true? And if so, there MUST be a way to fight it. All advice welcome.
Comment by Al Ferguson — October 6, 2008 @ 4:49 pm
I don’t see any threats that “Erica” made. If expressing an opinion on this website is a threat good luck with your “media outlet and attorneys.”
Comment by justice for children — October 6, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
Al,
Yes, if she plans on working with children this is true. In many instances it also precludes her from working in law enforcement, becoming an attorney, you name it. And the statutes continue to be amended to preclude those listed in the State Registers from performing other jobs.
Additonally, she will not be able to adopt or foster children. Also, should any other allegations arise, her status on the Register will bode porrly for her.
In my state (NY) one has ninety (90) days to appeal the State Register finding.
You need to check the statutes in your state.
In some instances, there are mechanisms to allow one to appeal past the deadline but this varies from state to state.
Please get on this straight a way.
If I can assist you in any way, please join the message forum group and send a private message to me.
Good luck.
MaggieC
Comment by MaggieC — October 6, 2008 @ 5:55 pm
daaronad -
Keep fighting the good fight!!!!!
MaggieC
Comment by MaggieC — October 6, 2008 @ 5:56 pm
Al-
If she was charged with a crime relating to the CPS involvement it will show on her criminal record. Not all jobs in the medical arena checks the Central Registry so if she does not have criminal charges there may be a chance that they will not know of the CPS involvement. I had a client who was not denied employment as a nurse- there were issues in the home related to child safety/ well being but no criminal charges were filed with the DA’s office.
Comment by Advocate — October 6, 2008 @ 6:59 pm
Hey, can the public access those state registry databases? I don’t think i’m on one cuz i work in the medical field & had to undergo a background check for my job.
Comment by Susan — October 6, 2008 @ 7:03 pm
Al-
It depends on the hiring agency. Not all medical facilities check the Central Registry. If criminal charges were also charged then of course this would reflect in her criminal record check. I had a client who got a job as an RN after we were involved even though there were issues in the home. We did not file criminal charges against her.
Comment by advocate — October 6, 2008 @ 7:04 pm
Al-
It depends on the hiring agency. Not all medical facilities check the Central Registry. If criminal charges were also charged then of course this would reflect in her criminal record check. I had a client who got a job as an RN after we were involved even though there were issues in the home. We did not file criminal charges against her. ~Peace and Blessings~
Comment by advocate — October 6, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
Al-
It depends on the hiring agency. Not all medical facilities check the Central Registry. If criminal charges were also charged then of course this would reflect in her criminal record check. I had a client who got a job as an RN after we were involved even though there were issues in the home. We did not file criminal charges against her.
Comment by Still An Advocate — October 6, 2008 @ 7:07 pm
To my knowledge, the public at large may not access same files.
Comment by MaggieC — October 6, 2008 @ 7:08 pm
hello ive been on this site plenty of times, and found a lot of people to relate to. me and my husband are going to trial right now for our children, and cps is dropping the allegations that first got the children detained, but they wont let our children come home. the social worker told a foster parent she wanted to cut my husbands penis off. we spoke to this couple a few months ago. we really need to talk to you. the wife’s name is ELIZABETH NASSCO. if your out there please give me and my husband a call 619-464-1856
Comment by kashia — October 6, 2008 @ 7:51 pm
Everyone,
Please be very careful on here. My posts were used in court against a woman that I was helping to fight for her children back..
They were printed and presented in court. CPS was able to link us together. I was also called at my home phone by the case worker in that case.
The case worker pretended to be a police officer and told me that a federal warrant had been issued for my arrest.
Of course after calling the police in that state and the court house, there was no such officer by that name and no federal warrant.
I am telling you this to let you know that CPS/DHS will go to any lengths to take and keep your children.
My friends rights were terminated and she is now appealing.
Please pray for her.
Thank you and my God Bless everyone of you…
Comment by Diando — October 7, 2008 @ 7:03 am
Unfortunately, by the time that people find this site and learn how to fight them it is too late.
In my case, I was recommended this site in time.. I got my granddaughter back and she has since been able to go home to her God Given Parents.
Without this site and the wonderful people on it, I don’t think my granddaughter would even be alive today…
Thank you all!
Especially you Linda!
Comment by Diando — October 7, 2008 @ 7:06 am
This is advise from my son-in-laws attorney. He was the Judges top campaign contributor, got the most cases and made millions off of CPS cases..
I can prove this by the way…
He clearly stated to us…. DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING!
If you sign anything, to take classes etc… then you are padding thier pockets and probably won’t ever get your child/children back…
They only take children where people are nieve to what their ways are… They do not take drug addicts children because they will not attend the classes etc..
Therefore they don’t make any money and it is a waste of their time….
That is just what we were told and what we did and we did win…. There was no more money to be made..
Ok, we had the media in court every court date as well, but it was mostly because my kids wouldn’t agree to do anymore classes…
Comment by Diando — October 7, 2008 @ 7:58 am
Ammendment to above statement.
All the attorney told us was not to sign anything.
The rest is what I have learned from going through this and talking to others etc…
Comment by Diando — October 7, 2008 @ 8:00 am
Kashia,
How long has your case been going on? They like to keep the children in the system for at least one year.
Don’t give up, and keep fighting. Take notes, video tape meetings..
If you have and are taking classes, finish those, get proof of them and don’t take anymore…
I’m not an attorney so this is just my personal advise…
Comment by Diando — October 7, 2008 @ 8:04 am
lets just keep praying and fighting for
positive change.
Comment by margie meeks — October 7, 2008 @ 10:59 am
My understanding is that Senator Nancy Schaefer has teamed up with the NAACP and is beginning to bring children home..
I know she has been collecting stories and getting updates from people on their cases for quite sometime and that she recently went to Washington to speak out against the corruption.
I was sent an e-mail stating that there would be a press release mailed out soon to let us know how it went.
Comment by Diando — October 7, 2008 @ 11:42 am
Diando,do you think that applys to the ones that have already had there
parental rights termd?because i want my BABY.i know to much time has passed but i cant get over it.i am a good mother.i love my baby.i may have missed out on eight years of her life,i know she remembers me.allthough she was 18 mo old the last time i saw her.i had an hour a week prior to that.she always knew MAMMA.no bond was ever broken for sure.
Comment by margie meeks — October 7, 2008 @ 3:23 pm
I dont know what to do or who to ask for help. I am a 19 yr old mother to a 2 yr old girl. Her name is Tessa. My husband is military and we are getting divorced. Him and his command are making threats towards me that if I dont leave the island that things will start happening to me. One of which including CPS. I have been investigated once already for false accusations and for the fact that I had suspected Tessa was sexually molested by the family I was having babysit her. I didnt file reports on it or take her to the doctor because I was scared. So my best friend called them on me. All my husband has on me is that last year I got involved in cocaine and had a problem for about a month but I have been clean for 8 mnths and I am a perfectly good mother. Is there really anything that can happen to me if they do call on me. All that he is trying to do is get custody of Tessa. I just dont know what to do. Im scared. And dont know who can help me. I cant afford a lawyer. If you have any suggestions it would be much appreciated
Comment by Alyssa mother of 2 yr old — October 7, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
To new parents on this site, listen to what is said. I know what it feels like when you are threatened with your children, as do so many others. To some, I may sound repetitive. But, please, for your benefit, listen to those who have already dealt with DHS. More than likely, if you try to cooperate with them, you will lose much more than your children. The damage goes much further with “cooperation.”
Comment by daaronad — October 7, 2008 @ 8:33 pm
Once again, as I was told by one attorney that I questioned, not my hired attorney, “We are all retained by DHS and we have to make a living in this town.” If you want fairness, PLEASE, read and learn the law and DHS Policies and Procedures. You will learn more, by doing that, than most attorneys are willing help you with.
Comment by daaronad — October 7, 2008 @ 8:39 pm
Do not expect a simple answer to stop the injustice done to your family. Read the guestbook for previous months and learn what we have learned. Learn the mistakes that are made by most parents. Learn how not to make them. Learn how to defend yourself from DHS. More laws are broken by DHS than you would imagine. Many are felonies. Protect your family from DHS by learning the law. Do not believe what DHS tells you. They lie.
Comment by daaronad — October 7, 2008 @ 8:48 pm
Alyssa,
What state do you live in? I ask because states have different CPS policies and laws. I am a CPS worker and I can assist you. I know many of the parents are upset (to say the least) with CPS workers, but I am a true Social Worker and I myself had social workers intervene in my life and I know how both sides of the coin are. Each state has different CPS policies regarding drug use. If you are in a treatment program or have documentation to show that you have completed treatment or have clean urine screens then have those readily available should the mention of drug use come up. I truly believe that drug use alone is not a reason for CPS to interfere in a child’s life. It is our responsibility however to provide that caretaker with treatment options and initiate those services for them. Do not admit to any drug use unless you are asked by a worker. You could decline to answer as well and the most they can ask you to do is a 24hr urine screen and should that come up negative then you have no concerns. Please contact me should you have any questions about the CPS process. I have worked with many CPS workers and have yet to find one who enjoys removing children. It is very traumatic for children to be taken out of a home and there should be services readily available to families to preserve them and make them stronger. Once again, please email me if you have any more questions.
Comment by Kimberly Hampton — October 7, 2008 @ 8:57 pm
Alyssa, if he plans on making a career in the military, he will not take custody. He may not know this at present time, but he will find out. If that is the case, he probably will give custody to a relative in order for him to progress in the military. This is something for both of you to think about. He needs to know this. Have him talk to single parents and senior NCOs and officers about this in order to get the truth. If he is fighting the custody for spite, he may change his views when he learns that the military is not a real supporter of single parents. But, besides all that, do whatever it takes to deal with the situation amongst yourselves. ABSOLUTELY, do not let DHS get involved. If DHS asks you anything about him, say that we had no real problems. PERIOD. The same goes for him. Please, get this point across to him, if you can. DHS only causes additional harm on everyone involved.
Comment by daaronad — October 7, 2008 @ 9:14 pm
Alyssa, NEVER admit drug use or any wrong doing to a social worker. It’s not worth taking the chance that they will help you when your child is at stake. The fact is that they DO have too much influence in the DHS and Family Court process.
Comment by daaronad — October 7, 2008 @ 9:23 pm
Kimberly Hampton, you may be a sincere worker, but you are asking her to give you information that will hurt her case. I must advise her her not to talk to you. I would much prefer that you, simply, advise her what could and could not happen if the situation were as you seem to believe that they were. Do not tell her that you can offer services for her. Do not ask her to indulge information to you. You are a DHS worker and it is a fact that this site IS monitered by DHS. If you have been on both sides of the coin, stay neutral. Unintentional questions and answers are often the downfall for unsuspecting or unaware parents. No offense intended. I hope that you are able to offer help in a flawed system, and I support you. I just hope that you are able to do it in a way without putting the parent on the spot. It may not have been intended, but I see a reason for caution.
Comment by daaronad — October 7, 2008 @ 9:36 pm
Kimberly Hampton,
If you don’t mind me asking what are your true intentions on this site? It may be rude of me to ask, but we just had an episode with a DHS investigator on this site, who was really rude and nasty to parents on this site. We know that CPS/DHS monitors this site to use against people so, is that why you are here? It would be nice for a change to have a caseworker on here who actually cared about what is happening to families and children at the hands of DHS. You may not like what people on here have to say about your line of work. It is hard for us to trust someone who works for a government agency that doesn’t care about family preservation. I know this for a fact, because my children are the victims. I am not trying to be rude, I just don’t want to see anymore people be disrespected by someone who thinks that the system is perfect and that we didn’t do our jobs and that is why we lost our children. I hope you understand my concern. We are just watching out for each other so don’t be offended if we do not trust you or say something you don’t want to hear.
Comment by Kandice Cantrell — October 8, 2008 @ 5:29 am
Kimberly Hampton,
If you would like to find social workers who enjoy taking away children, look at Cassopolis, Michigan CPS. They will use what ever means necessary to keep your child. Read Diando’s messages and you’ll see what I am talking about. The caseworker called her and lied about being a police officer. This happened in the city I am talking about. I was lied to as well as my children. They lied under oath, without ever being punished. The caseworker even smiled at me and said “this is what you get” as she took my third child away from me. I completed my requirements only to be told in court that I never did anything. Casworkers in MIchigan thrive on the power and don’t care that children are screaming for their parents. My children waited two years to finally come home. Because of CPS corruption they will not have that option, unitl they are 18. They never tried to keep any of them in the home, and what is even worse none of my family was ever contacted as a possible placement. THey are true kidnappers and the system here needs to be reformed. I am not the only parent that this county has done this to. Ask around you will soon find out the truth.
Comment by Kandice Cantrell — October 8, 2008 @ 5:41 am
Kandice:
Michigan page:
http://members.familyrights.us/michigan/index.html
Not to sound like an apologist for DHS, FIA in Michigan, but MI is reputed to have high unemployment.
My friend had an episode with them close to 30 years ago.
Folks: State information available at:
http://www.familyrights.us
Best.
Comment by Fern — October 8, 2008 @ 5:58 am
I only wish i knew then what i know now.always have a wittness,tape recorder and or video camera.
it would have been harder for them to lie and make false accusation and get away with it.
Comment by margie meeks — October 8, 2008 @ 7:31 am
To all:
The Michigan caseworker has now put a restraining order on the mohter of whom was fighting for her children.
I truly believe that this was done out of pure malice since the mother had her fired from the case and DHS investigated for abusing her son..
In the restraing order she is claiming that I (or someone from Texas) my name is mentioned, called her office and threatened her amongst other things.
None of these things are true. In fact she was the one that called me at my home threatening me… While pretending to be a police officer…
One of the prases used in her PPO, in which I supposedly said, is that “they would be on me like white on rice if she kept it up”… LOL!
This is not a phrase that I have ever used in my life.. For many reasons… 1. It doesn’t make sense to me, white what on rice? I use turkey gravy on my rice..
2. It sounds like it could be a racist remark and I’m not a racial person.
3. This just isn’t my style…
Please be ware that case workers will go to any lenghts to tear a family apart. They use and abuse their power… The power of immunity…
I will be fowarding this PPO order to my attorney and probably filing a lawsuit against the case worker for Defimation of Character, threatening me, not reporting abuse that was reported to her etc…
Peace and prayers for all involved with CPS.
Comment by Diando — October 8, 2008 @ 7:52 am
Alyssa,
If it is at all possible to leave the Island with your child immediately, I would be gone already!
Comment by Diando — October 8, 2008 @ 7:53 am
Alyssa-
Please DO NOT knowingly e-mail anyone you KNOW to be a social worker with your story. This could be suicide to your case! This “Kimberly” says she can help you yet she does not even know what state you are in?
Bottom line, even if she wants to help, she can’t unless she is not only in your state, but the very county you reside. It is suspicious to me that she would offer knowing this.
It is more likely that once you volunteer this info, she will contact someone at CPS there to advise them of your postings on this website.
Posting is good, but be very careful what you choose to post. Please keep it very vague if possible.
Comment by Cheryl — October 8, 2008 @ 8:23 am
Folks,
Lets remember that Advocate made real threats to have every CPS worker she knows, monitor this site. And because Linda has banned her IP address, she could be likely to bombard us with others like herself since she can no longer post; in anger of being banned.
It could be the very same office and still have differnet IP addresses from one computer to the next. Many companies have multiple servers for employees and depts. each with their own IP.
Again, Advocate could just be “Kimberley Hampton” on a different computer, using a different tone of “voice” with us to get the same info.
I agree with daaronad, please proceed with caution. It sends up a giant RED FLAG with me.
Comment by Cheryl — October 8, 2008 @ 8:34 am
Does anyone remember exactly when Advocate showed up?
Comment by Diando — October 8, 2008 @ 9:09 am
Cheryl,
Is it possible for you to pm me?
Comment by Diando — October 8, 2008 @ 9:11 am
Diando-
Where on this do I go to get to private message????
Comment by Cheryl — October 8, 2008 @ 10:25 am
Advocates 1st comment was Sept. 14th, 2008.
“Hello, I am a CPS investigator”.
Comment by Cheryl — October 8, 2008 @ 10:43 am
I would like to point out to everyone that keeps bringing up the “Innocent until proven guilty” line, that the CPS does not work out of the Criminal legal system- from where that statement applies. They work out of the Civil law system which works under different assumptions. Couple that with the willingness of the CPS caseworkers to brazenly purjor themselves before the court (El Dorado in Texas, anyone?)- you need to know your rights and stand up for them. If you presume you’re going to be held innocent in these cases, you are sadly mistaken
Comment by MadScientist — October 8, 2008 @ 10:59 am
Government protects itself. Ever notice that in most every state, the law says that you must first lift immunity from a government offie before you can sue them?
Each state applies it to a certain list of agencies differently, but the result is still the same. You have to prove the case BEFORE you can sue. How backwards is that?
Here, I won’t say where because we have had some unscrupulous visitors, we have to present our case just as we would at trial, and prove liability, before their immunity is lifted, which in turn clears the way for us to file suit. Then we get the joy of presenting the same case all over again at the lawsuit trial, before a jury.
However, if the judge feels strongly that the evidence is overwhelmingly against the state and CPS, then he orders it to mediation for settlement instead of a trial, and implements a “gag order” so that no one can bring in the media.
Our lawyers have advised use to hope for trial. We have a better chance of a least getting it in the public view for a week or two, until the gag order is placed.
And they are right; it won’t take 1 day for the AG to ask for a gag order.
Comment by Cheryl — October 8, 2008 @ 11:32 am
Diando,
Advocate showed up about two hours after I returned to the board. She was trying to bait me in order to paint me as being hostile and argumentative. A good example of why you should be careful what you say here.
Comment by Gideon Macleish — October 8, 2008 @ 11:50 am
Thanks
Comment by Diando — October 8, 2008 @ 12:55 pm
Diando- How do I PM you from this website?
Comment by Cheryl — October 8, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
I have been looking for a site like this for some time. My husband and I have been dealing with OCS in Anchorage, AK. for over 3 yrs. now. My granddaughter, whom is now 6 and was 3 at the time, was taken away from my daughter because of substance abuse. My daughter did not follow up on what they wanted her to do to get her daughter back. They didn’t really work with her either. Would it have really mattered or made a difference…I think not! The day OCS picked up our granddaughter, my husband (my daughter’s stepfather) and I called OCS to find out what steps we needed to take for her to come live with us. They said we could be family caregivers. Right away they were asking us to sign on the dotted line to adopt. Of course we wanted our daughter to get the help she needed and be with her daughter again. To this day there is still quite a strong bond between the two of them for which we would like to see continue. We had our granddaughter for 2 1/2 years, she had just entered kindergarten at one of our wonderful public schools (I’m being facetious). After being in school 3 weeks, two troopers, a police officer and a social worker show up at our door wanting to take our granddaughter to their office to speak to her. I wasn’t home from work yet and my husband asks them what this about. He thought it was about an incident where my daughter had said she was going to go to the school and grab her daughter. They tell him they will talk to him later. Mind you that our granddaughter is in the custody of the state and we are just family care givers. So my husband doesn’t feel he can say no and they take her away. I get a call on my cell that they want to talk to me and I go to a place called the Children’s Place. They take me into a room with a recording device and begin asking questions. In the meantime, troopers are also at our house questioning my husband. Isn’t hindsight always 20/20? We would have and should have asked for an attorney. They told me that our granddaughter had said that Grandpa tried to get her Monkey Liver; and did I know what that was? Duh! It was a game we played with her tickling her tummy and blowing on her tummy. When she first came to live with us we called her our little monkey, might sound weird, but that is what it was, just an innocent game. After school that day, while waiting for Grandpa to pick her she told her teacher she didn’t want to go home because Grandpa ate her Monkey Liver. Well….she had been in a little trouble at school the day before and she wasn’t allowed to watch any movies or play any games for a couple days, go figure. Of course the teacher took it to another level and here we are.
Back to the questioning - they asked me if my husband masturbated, what our sex life was like, when was the last time we had sex and on and on. The troopers were asking my husband the same questions. They left the room and came back a few minutes later stating that one of us was lying because our stories didn’t match on when the last time we had sex was. Anyhow, they said I could bring Alexis home with me as long as my husband wasn’t in the home. He packed up and went to his parents. I’m going to try to shorten this…about a week later I was told that if I divorced my husband I could keep our granddaughter. OCS said in a teleconference that the allegations were substantiated because our granddaughter said she was sexually abused and that he was not allowed visitation at all ever. I knew my husband was not capable of doing such a thing and I we had only been married 4 years, he was my rock and I was NOT going to divorce him. I had to come up with a plan, I spoke to my parents and they were willing to take her in and adopt her if it came to that. I called OCS and told them my husband was coming home. The next day they took her away to the Salvation Army Cares for Kids. What a horrible place for children! The children were hardly ever bathed or hair combed and when they were bathed my granddaughter said the water was always cold. It was just so sad to see her there. She wanted to come home, but the social worker told her that she was never going back to her grandparents because her grandfather hurt her and they were protecting her. My five year old granddaughter told me this! I still have a hard time understanding how they can get away with this crap! After about two months they move her to a foster home. She’s there for about 3 weeks and along comes the Vice Principle of her new school. I have another telephone conference with OCS, my mother and the Vice Principle whom now wants to adopt my granddaughter. At this time we are very, very afraid that this could happen. We think about taking out a third mortgage on our house to get an attorney or sell it, whatever it takes. All of a sudden I come into a bit of back child support owed me. Who would have ever thought! And thank God!!! We obtained an attorney and after 8 months and $10,000 we have her back with us. However, she is still in the states custody and we are going through the whole home study adoption thing again, but we have her back and that is what counts. After looking at all the evidence (DVD’s, audio tapes, police reports, social worker notes, etc.), our granddaughter never said she was sexually abused or anything remotely close. I still live with that decision to have my husband come home and they take her away. It was a hard decision. I did not know what to do. If you allow OCS to tear apart your family they will. If you don’t have the money to fight them, they will take your children. I can not tell you how many lies we read through the discovery process. Through the adoption process we are still being scrutinized. They are questioning us home schooling our granddaughter and how are we going to raise her regarding sexuality and so on. Give me a break! Needless to say, the 8 months she was gone was the longest 8 months of my life and my husbands. We screamed, argued, cried, grieved, were depressed and cried again and again. I had to seek out a therapist for anxiety. OCS has to be made accountable for their actions. They tear families apart and seem quite happy about it. I know I’ve left out quite a few details, but I could turn this into a book. I just want to say that my heart goes out to all of you. I know the heart ache you have and are going through. I wish I had found this site sooner. Isn’t there something we can do together to stop these people? I believe there is, I’m just not sure what it is.
Comment by Dejuan — October 8, 2008 @ 3:51 pm
Ok I am a mean nasty smelly investigator for the CPS. Bad me, right? I’m sitting back and reading these posts and I’m covering my face because both sides are fighting a fight that is not necessary. We all have our opinions and 99.9% of the opinions of CPS are trash. I understand that, and I get it! 99.9% of this job is heartless and wrong. But I really want to throw out some of my views in my few years working for CPS. I promise, in certain situations we aren’t all bad. But if I had my child/children taken away from me, I would react the same way all of you are and then some! Again I understand and you have every right to be mad and fight back!! You should fight bad!! Instead of name calling, fight the correct fight and try to get your children back!
1.) In a month I get about 20-25 investigations. About 1 or 2 of these reports require CPS attention. About 23 reports are false and vindictive lies. I tell the parents sorry for the inconvenience, but they should not be angry at CPS, but get mad at the people making the allegations. The state requires an investigation. Most of the time it isn’t personal between the worker and the parent. Shockingly enough I become very upset and angry when I get false reports that waste my time. I will call that referent and advise them they can be held legally responsible for making these allegations. I wish the government would go after the referents who call the false reports in. Please be angry at the referent. Most of the time the person making the allegations is someone you know who you “wronged.” An ex, family member, neighbor, and/or ex-family member who’s a neighbor. CPS is soooo far from perfect, and will never be perfect. But look at other jobs and departments, they aren’t perfect either! I wish I could change somethings, but you have to contact your state government! Good luck with that, they only worry about important things, and (not trying to be mean, but brutally honest) you aren’t important to them.
2. When I walk up to the house and the families don’t want to let me in I’m OK with that!!!!! I actually like that!!! I explain to them before they slam the door in my face we are required to “conference for litigation.” Two things can happen, 1. we do not have enough to bring to court or 2. we have enough to file. The order we get is called an emergent order to investigate. All this allows us to do issssss…. Talk to your family. That’s it, nothing more, nothing less.
3.) The family threatens to get an attorney, GOOD!!!!! I like that too, I advise them to get the attorney, have them help with legal “ins and outs.” Guess what folks, If a CPS worker walked up to my house I would slam the door in their face and ask for them to get an order to investigate. 50% of the time, we can’t get Court Orders because the referent is anonymous! BUT I guarantee you, if your family has history or a past open case, we will get that court order, even if its anonymous!
4.) If you have nothing to hide, don’t worry because we will see that and close the case. Having a CPS is seen to be back because of it’s stigma. But if you work together with your worker, it will go way fast. IF you threaten or ignore your worker, we aren’t going away.
5.) Don’t run either, we’ll find you. I actually see it more of a challenge. I notify Cops, Schools, and the doctors. Please, by you running it looks as if you are hiding something and 99% of the time you are.
6.) For some reason people think we like/love to take kids. You couldn’t be more wrong! I hate this part of my job and it makes me cry. I hate trying to explain to children why I took them from their parents. This is the worst part of my job, and please believe me when I say it is heart-wrenching and makes me second guess my job.
7.)Some people even think we get paid a hefty bonus if we do, WRONG AGAIN!! No bonus, In my state, they are trying to take certain pay away from us.
8.) In one year, on average, I remove about 3-4 kids. The most in one year I have ever removed was 10 because I had a family of 5 who’s mother was shot and killed (in the head) by the kids father, IN FRONT of the children.
9.) I see a lot of conversation about taping and recording. I’ve been asked once (EVER) and I had to respectfully decline as a result of state policy. Anyone can tape me during an investigation, but my attorney needs to be present. Its for obvious reasons, vice versa. Obviously the state needs to cover their little bum bums in case the worker says something stupid. I have said things stupid to, everyone has. (Not so stupid as in falsifying information to the family.) Not ever worker is liar, but they are out there. Just looking in my office, I can pick out a handful that shouldn’t have their jobs. But, look at teachers, cops, doctors, bla bla that shouldn’t have their jobs either…. Everywhere you go there is a bad apple, it’s inevitable.
10.) Having an investigation DOES NOT MEAN you have an open case. Out of the 20-25 cases 1 or 2 may be real, and (listen to this) 1 out of the 2 real cases I have will get opened for monthly supervision. I will admit this is only an average. There are some months where we get 15 cases and 5 of them may be real. I’m trying to prove that not all cases are real and not all real cases get opened!!
***PLEASE TAKE MY ADVICE!! Be friendly with your worker, it will take you further than you imagine.
In this world of Give and Take, if you show you have nothing to hide, let us do our job so we can get in and out as fast as possible.
If you lost your kids and a court order backs it up, fight the good fight people, get your attorney involved and do what is states on your court order you get your children back!!
This is my input, I hope it helps a tiny a bit. I can’t comment on the months and the years it takes, because I”m only an investigator and don’t work with the family on a monthly basis.
I wish you all the best and good luck with all your affairs! (This is my 1 and only input, if you want to comment go ahead, but I won’t be responding)
Comment by Amy — October 8, 2008 @ 5:23 pm
Amy,
Good post, thanks! While laws vary from state to state, I think you gave good insight.
I do want you and others reading here to understand that our opposition to the CPS system is not an opposition to you personally. I happen to agree with you that if the state were more aggressive in prosecuting people with a lengthy history of false allegations (and I’m sure there are certain people whose anonymous reports raise “red flags” to you off the bat), it would make a lot of difference.
People are going to be angry with you, and I hope you understand it, although it is often misplaced. But you raise some good points.
Comment by Gideon Macleish — October 8, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
I agree that one should not blame the worker. One should be civil at all times BUT-
One should also be full aware of their Constitutional rights and should hire an attorney at the get go.
Amy, you seem like a good egg but you do not know the law.
Your investigations have nothing to
do with the law.
Again, you are well meaning but when push comes to shove ,an accused parent needs to use the law.
Thanks again for being a caring social worker but you are only a social worker. You are not a doctor, you are not law enforcement ,you are not a judge, you are not an attorney.
Comment by MaggieC — October 8, 2008 @ 7:37 pm
I was told, by a DHS worker as he sat in front of his computer while reading my file, that I told the investigator that “I would rot in hell before I attended their classes.” He was simply reading my file, or, should I say their file? I have heard that phrase but have never used it. No one on this site knows me, but, that is nothing that I would say, even in anger. I do curse, at times, but that phrase is not something that I would say. I tried their reccommendations, and it led to many more . They kept adding additional recommendations. It never stopped until I stopped trying to cooperate with them. I was told, at the beginning, that if I want to keep my children out of a foster home, that I had better give my full cooperation. Well, I cooperated too much. I do have my children home. Not through cooperation, that only hurt us. I learned the truth and finally stood up and said “enough is enough.”
Comment by daaronad — October 8, 2008 @ 7:53 pm
I apologize for saying I wouldn’t respond, but I need to follow up with MaggieC.
(Gideon Macleish- thank you)
I know I don’t know the law, obviously since I’m an investigator, not an attorney. I didn’t go to law school. I tell the parents to hire an attorney so they know their rights! Trust me when I say I’m the first one to stand up and say CPS does not have a right to interfere without a court order. My investigation isn’t the law, but it’s a step before.
Not at one time in my entire post did I say I was a doctor, law enforcement, judge, or an attorney. With all do respect, please don’t put words in my mouth. Lastly I have my Masters in psychology, not social work, therefore I’m not a social worker either…
I wish you the best and have a great week ahead!
Comment by Amy — October 8, 2008 @ 7:53 pm
Amy,i can see that you are one of the few good ones,unfortunatly not all are truly doing there jobs correctly,i love all children including my own,and have worked with children in the past.and god forbid those that have hurt those innocent souls,they should be locked up or terminated,i’ll BET YOUR JOB IS HARD,i dont yhink i could handle it,cause i would want to
flip out on someone that was guilty,of abuse of any sort.but then again some workers are cruel,i know fo a fact.if they were all like you then maybe we could start to fix this.for everyones good.god bless you
Comment by margie meeks — October 8, 2008 @ 8:06 pm
I am a regular commentor on this site, so I may seem repetitive to many. DHS is a civil issue. If a police officer is there with DHS, it IS only for intimidation. If it was a legal matter, the police officer would be the one taking action, with a warrant. He/she would have no need for DHS to be there. If DHS knocks on your door with a police officer, talk to the police officer. Ignore the DHS worker. Insist that the police officer tells you what is going on. If you feel brave enough, ask him to escort the DHS worker away from your home and you will discuss the issue with him/her. Again, DHS is a civil issue, not a legal issue. Do not talk to DHS. They lie and coerce.
Comment by daaronad — October 8, 2008 @ 8:15 pm
Amy, first off, I’d like to ask how you were directed to this site? I’d guess by another DHS worker. I may be wrong. I agree that some situations need intervention, but not by DHS, because they are CORRUPT.
How many years is a few years, working for DHS? How many years makes your experiance “expert advice?”
You gave ten points to advise. Many people on this site HAVE their children back because they stopped listening to advise from DHS, such as yours.
Are you in the same office or chainmail of the “Advocate”?
Comment by daaronad — October 8, 2008 @ 8:34 pm
Amy,
I’m sorry to say that I could not read your whole post… It made me sick to my stomach…
Maybe your good, and maybe your not…
Our investigator, was not good and did nothing but lie!
She saw nothing wrong and wrote up papers stating different.. Was eventually thrown out of the court room.
She didn’t even bring a car seat… If you are coming to take a baby, should’nt you have a car seat at the very least?
I could go on, but I won’t.
Comment by Diando — October 8, 2008 @ 8:47 pm
Amy,
Give me your name… Your whole name, and your state if you’d like. I want to pull you license and see if you speak the truth.
If you do then we can talk…..
Comment by Diando — October 8, 2008 @ 8:51 pm
Ok, Amy,
I made it about 1/3 of the way through you post…
You still make me sick! If someone doesn’t let you into their house, you put you foot in the door, am I correct?
I’m going to try and stomach some more of your stuff and then reply
Comment by Diando — October 8, 2008 @ 9:26 pm
Amy… as you can see, people here have a hard time accepting advice from caseworkers who post. We just had a bout with a caseworker who started out friendly but progressed to rude sarcastic comments.
Thanks for your advice; I thought it was well-intentioned and reasonable. I especially agree that parents should not run even though it is the most normal human response to want to do so. In the twenty years I’ve been researching CPS I’ve heard of many families being apprehended and separated after a run for safety.
I’m glad you’re able to see that most of the calls are bogus complaints.
Comment by Linda — October 8, 2008 @ 11:02 pm
Why are SO many cps trolling this site? Amy, my advice to ‘get the hell out of Dodge’ if you are undergoing a witch hunt still stands. I know for a FACT that the dhs here in Corrupt Colorado doesn’t have the juridisdiction or the FUNDS to chase a family to a ’safe’ state. Especially in non-abuse cases!
Anyway, with our economy the way it is, there needs to be a HIRING FREEZE on all non-essential govt. employees. Why is it that we are giving our veterns shoddy care in crappy hospitals & cps is all powerful & wasting all this money actively pursuing families in NON ABUSE cases?
Comment by Susan — October 9, 2008 @ 5:57 am
Amy,
I was not trying to be rude, but you need to understand when a caseworker comes on hear it makes us wonder what is really going on. You say cooperate with your caseworker in order to get your children back. Well, I did just that and more. I called HER every week to make sure my childen were ok and things were moving along with my case. I seen my therapist every week out of 60 appointments in a year and a half I missed a grand total of nine. I never missed a visitation, even when I sat there for an hour and my children never show up. I completed parenting classes with in the first ten weeks, and was told I did rather well. This caseworker vistited my home a grand total of once, two days after I had surgery on my hand. She told me to my face that everything looked great and then when to court a month later and totally lied. My home was not good enough, my roommates were men, so that was bad, that I wasn’t going to counseling, I was on Worker’s Comp, so I couldn’t take care of my kids. The list goes on. I did this womans job for her. I sought out counseling after the state lost their funding, I found a home, I called her on a weekly basis, I made sure my kids recieved presents for birthdays and other holidays. She did nothing except file a TPR two months after she became my caseworker. My children went six months without therapy, because in her own words ” I thought the school would counsel them.” She came to court at least 20 minutes late, didn’t even show up for the Foster Parent Review Board hearing. Yet, she still has a job and my children. I never complained, until it got to the point that I was running out of time and needed my lawyer to call and light her fire. Then I was called by her boss and told that if I wanted things done I should leave my lawyer out of it. I ended up losing my children, because the judge felt sorry for this woman, and told her that she would do a better job next time. There is no next time for me. This woman should not be a mother let alone a caseworker. She even forgot to pick her child up, or have someone do it, and rushed out of court. No matter how nice and cooperative I was she made me sound like I was a horrible person and didn’t do a thing for my children. She even told my oldest son that hee couldn’t come home because I didn’t do the necessary things in order for this to happen. She admitted this in court!!!!! When it comes to CPS there is no justice. Your right the government doesn’t give a damn about us, we just put them in office, once they are in we lose control. Put yourself in my shoes, what would you do? My investigator was a total ass and laughed as she ripped my daughter away from me. Thanks for the pointers, but I have taken your route and trust me, if they want your kids they will take them.
Comment by Kandice Cantrell — October 9, 2008 @ 6:00 am
Kandice,that sounds so familiar,i went through alot of the same things you are talking about,was treated the same way.and still lost my baby.
Comment by margie meeks — October 9, 2008 @ 8:38 am
Amy, there is nothing just in lying and exaggerating when it comes to someone’s children. There are children that are truly in danger, and yet they took mine. I’m not sure if you read my first comment, but a simple accident while teaching my daughter to cook pancakes (I helped her pour and flip one then she bumped her knuckle on the griddle) is in no way neglect and/or abuse. Falling behind on laundry and dishes because you are taking care of your children instead is not neglect. There were flat out lies told about me to bring my mental health to question. It was said that I sleep all day and make my 7 year old care for my younger children. There is absolutely no truth to that, yet the judge believed every word of it. It was also said that my homeschooled children are behind their peers, yet my 2nd grader is reading at a 5th grade level at least and has been doing math and science that hasn’t yet been touched by the class she is in now. I had to stop teaching my 1st grader to read because of all of this so she is now behind what she could be at if I were allowed to continue teaching her. They said that only 1 of my kids is allowed to spell her first name only and has indicated that she can read a little. The judge *yelled* at me over that. I have been made to look like a monster simply because we became caught up in the typical ‘homeschooled family reported to cps’ scenario of ‘neglect and mental instability’.
You may be one of the good ones, but there aren’t many. The investigator that came into my home lied to and about me and my children and I now have to jump through hoops to get them back… if I’m ever allowed to get them back that is.
Comment by Missing My 5 — October 9, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
Sorry, I meant “They said that only 1 of my kids is *able* (not allowed) to spell her first name only and has indicated that she can read a little.”
Comment by Missing My 5 — October 9, 2008 @ 4:57 pm
my boys were taken last night for not much of a reason… the case work said “the boys are healthy and look great and well feed, but we’re removing them because your 3 year old is unrully and with your faincee’ in iraq you can’t do this by yourself not with PTSD”
I was fine, if the boys were neglected I could see it, but there not it’s me having no one and having PTSD from being abused from my ex. Oh, and “your only 20″ I am so lost without my boys.. I don’t know what to do
Comment by Ami~ — October 9, 2008 @ 8:03 pm
I just want to say i’m glad that the injustice is being noticed. I fought DFCS for going on almost 6 yrs. in Georgia and i’m losing the battle. They are going for termination of rights next month on the 19th. My kids have been being mistreated in foster care, my oldest son 6, had his legs and arms bond with tape and tape put over his mouth while locked in a highchair. My oldest daughter 8, told me of all kind of things going on, like being beat with belts, their heads being banged into the floor, she has been threatened if she said anything they will harm her, she has even been diagnosised w Post Tramatic Stress Disorder from it. I have filed police reporters, contacted the newspaper, i’ve even contacted the news stations, nothing. tThe DFCS said they would investigate, but the kids were never removed fm the home. I feel it was never investigated. I have a court appointed lawyer that doesn’t work for me. Its so bad , my youngest son 2, they let go back w his daddy who does drugs and beat me while i was holding or son! How is any of this fair. I cry everynite scared they may die in that home. My family has even tryed 2 get them, didn’t work. I am so scared 4 my kids and scared 2 try 2 have and raise anymore. Help a mother who can use friends and suggestions! mY EMAIL IS: http://www.angelbaby_yawn@yahoo.com
Comment by Sabrina — October 9, 2008 @ 10:47 pm
I can feel any1 in w more details if u care 2 know!
Comment by Sabrina — October 9, 2008 @ 10:48 pm
Hi there again, Linda,
This is Reina, the blind woman that posted some things on your site a bit over three months ago. I was also the one interested in starting the lawyer fund, which I will be feverishly working on since I’ve seen disturbing things since.
I came back here to let you know that my site is really, really, really in the works, as I read a very heartbreaking story that made me really put the fire under my butt. It was about a baby being sexually abused by her biological father. Though the foster parents really wanted to protect her, though there was so much evidence that something really was going on, though these foster parents really wanted the best for her, the baby was returned to these horrible conditions to be abused sexually again and again and again and again and again for the rest of her babyhood. I was outraged. This system is backwards. What ARE their values? They rip nonabused children away from homes to cause trauma and allow the abused to go back to be traumatized even more or even die! I can’t understand it for the LIFE of me!!!!!!!!!!!
The story, if you want to read it, is at http://www.picayuneitem.com/features/local_story_171095733.html?keyword=secondarystory I can promise you that YOU, TOO, will be outraged!
When my site is completed, and i’ll come back here to update, I’ll let you know. I will also be featuring your site on mine, as well.
Comment by Reina Brown — October 10, 2008 @ 4:33 am
Gideon, I just want to tell you to keep up the good work. It is people like you that I appreciate with all of my heart. Keep fighting for justice. I’ve learned so much from your postings here.
Advocate, I know I will be flamed for what I’m about to say to you, and frankly, I don’t care: but, CPS is quite corrupt in many ways. Did you know that I went blind in their care? And I bet you’ll probably, more than likely, make an ignorant comment about my blindness, such as how I was able to use the computer to type this comment. THAT is not important. What is important is that you are acting out of line, and nobody here has to tolerate being talked to in the way that you do. You call others childish: yet, the demeanor in which your posts are composed display these very characteristics of which you speak.
Please, I also dare you to examine my grammar and how I composed this post. I don’t care about that either, as I’m an English major working on getting a scholarship to Harvard. Why am I doing this? Well, let’s see, I’m trying to protect civil rights. However, if you DO see anything wrong with my post, such as the misuse of participles, gerunds, adverbs, syntax, or even incorrect punctuation, I’m sure you’ll be quite the informant. I’ll take that advice and just use it to better myself when taking the last few classes to accomplish my English major. You’ll actually be of a major help. Thanks in advance.
I also see that you’ve not answered some of the questions asked by other posters, such as your intent for being here. It is interesting that you still hurl insults but continue to dodge practical questions people are asking, and what they are asking, they deserve to know. It is even more interesting at how you become quickly offended when people bring up certain points. Perhaps, the tail of the wolf is finally coming through the sheep skin?
Something else I want to point out is that Gideon was in no way, shape or form rude to you. As a matter of fact, it seems you were extremely rude to him. Oh dear, do I dare call you out on this, my lord? Despite your attacks against him, he still remained professional making an immense effort to establish common ground. he wanted to see where you were coming from. Rather, you blew up in raging insults. Sorry, I’m not Gideon though I give him tons of credit for putting up with you for so long remaining as patient as he has. I say things as I see them. I’m not at all nice, and I certainly don’t tolerate injustice or attacking of people who don’t deserve it. I’m nice until given a reason not to be. Quite frankly, you’ve given me a reason to shoot piss and vinegar right up your anus hole! What’s more, you really needed this good boot to the a**.
I suggest you cool it right now!. If you have nothing positive to offer these grieving people here, who share one common purpose, which is being wronged by CPS, then go back to where you came from. Take fifty cents and call someone who gives because I certainly don’t.
Yes, I will say that I have to agree. You are displaying the typical traits of a classic corrupt social worker–dodging questions, attacking others, and trying all that you can to instill fear. Do you care to come after me? Guess what! I’m not afraid of you! Let’s see. I endured eight-and-a-half years of abuse, as a child, at the hands of my uncle when he was drunk. I suffered as a chronically ill child. I’ve had half of my childhood friends die in pretty nasty ways. (They were all young not having the chance to live their lives.), a good friend of my brother was shot to death as a teenager, I’m now having my life threatened due to the fact I stood up for an infant being abused. As a matter of fact, the final court hearing, which gives the respondent the opportunity to contest my peace order, will be this coming Tuesday at ten in the morning. I’ve went through so much in my life that little intimidates me, and it has made me a soldier for justice. I’ve been subjected to more then I care to share. I can already see it coming–you don’t care. It’s pretty funny that I’ve gotten used to your patterns and know what you’ll say before you say it.
Before you tell me to get a job and stop hanging out on the Internet posting useless content, I’d like to inform you that I’m happily self employed probably making three times the amount you do monthly. Hence, I have the time to post whatever my heart desires AND fight for justice. I’m a computer service technician owning a business that specializes in performing a number of computer related services. I must say that I’m pretty comfortable if I may say so myself. Excuse me while I go fast asleep on my plush bed and work my own hours while you slave away to a broken government system that only God can reform making pennies on the dollar! Ha! No wonder you are so miserable and find pleasure in trampling those who have already been trodden down. Find something more constructive to do with your life rather than cause trouble for those who need no more of it.
For the rest of you all, keep on fighting. Stay strong.
Comment by Reina BrownReina Brown — October 10, 2008 @ 6:21 am
Alaska resident:
Email addy 4 u.
FFPhelpline@aol.com
Alaska affiliated with Profane-Justice.org
Comment by Fern — October 10, 2008 @ 7:00 am
God bless you Reina. You are INCREDIBLE! You’ve got my vote!
Comment by Susan — October 10, 2008 @ 7:56 am
Susan, thanks so much. You will also be in my prayers. I’d love to see your children returned to you. Have you gotten in contact with the American Family Rights Association? If not, I suggest you do as soon as possible. Keep us updated.
Comment by Reina Brown — October 10, 2008 @ 8:23 am
I havent been on in a while. Just came back and wanted to tell the parents who are fighting for their children to keep fighting. I was reading the comments of Advocate and Erica and I am from New Jersey, all they have to do in court is find you liable based on a preponderance(more than likely) not even clear and convincing evidence. The judge in my case said that she dont no what happened in my case but something did and my son was affected so it had to be me and my husband. I said that to say yes you can be falsely accused very easily they dont need real evidence just evidence saying something happened to your child. that evidence could be a upset relative or a ex husband. just keep fighting God is on our sides.
Comment by kwanie — October 10, 2008 @ 8:24 am
I have a question. Even if CPS workers monitor this site, why should it stop us from speaking out? I know they can use the posts in court: but, couldn’t honesty prevail?
We all already know how crooked they are. We ALL know. If I need help, if something ever DOES happen, God forbid, why should I have to be vague when asking? Nobody could help if I were only vague on the details, right?
If they ever tried to use my anger against me, that would be bull, because what mother would not be angry if her children were ripped from her arms? What mother would just sit there calmly? None that I know! I’d die for my children! I have none yet: but, I can already feel the love for the ones I’ll soon bring into this world. Any psychologist or shrink with common sense would understand that sadness, anger, grief, and upset or normal feelings. Normal! Mental condition or not, they are normal.
My BF has a mental condition. He suffers from depression and anxiety. I, on the other hand, only have Aspergers Syndrome, which doesn’t interfere. Who cares about that! I dare them to try to use our afflictions against us. We will NEVER submit to any psychological evaluations, as they are only setups anyhow. And, thanks so much to the advice of others here, we will sign NOTHING and take NO classes at all. It is expected that there is a chance I could have multiples. Jee, they’d have a field day with exploitation in our case, and I’m sure the media would eat it all up if the case involved multiples, as they seem to be the center of interest in society today for some reason. I’ll keep it before God that we will NEVER have to deal with CPS.
I do know of someone who MAY call on me with a false accusation once I actually DO have children because I helped to have her parental rights terminated due to the fact she was abusing her infant son. Thankfully, the CPS worker was helpful, and the baby is with the father and the father’s parents, who all live under the same roof, thriving and growing. Of course, the baby must recover from trauma and the dammage caused: but, the grandparents and father are doing all that they can. This girl, Leah Grinder, was the one I mentioned in my afore posting concerning the peace order I had to obtain to protect my safety. Now, I just have to worry about her, or someone else on her behalf, trying to indict my bf, who will be my husband, and I on false accusations just to be spiteful. This is why the mental illness thing was a concern to me though I will not let CPS triumph in ruining my family, especially on the basis of false accusations that were done out of spite.
I will express my concerns to the sheriff department today, and I will mention it during the court proceedings Tuesday that it is my concern she’ll try to wreck my family out of spite.
More questions on mental illness:
Aren’t there any people that realize that there are thousands upon thousands of parents that have mental illness but still provide a fit environment and love for their children? Yes. I have some friends like that. Can’t the mentally ill be protected? Thanks so much to any who answer my questions. Thanks so much for your time. I’ve learned so much from you all here.
Comment by Reina Brown — October 10, 2008 @ 9:29 am
CPS is on this site justifying illegal behavior i dont care what excuses they give there is no justification for breaking the law. If the children was at so much risk and in so much danger then why arent we in jail. We shouldnt be without our children if they cant prove abuse or neglect because this is what happens, thousands of lives destroyed. What kind of adults are these children going to be, thinking they were dumped on someones door step. I called Washington and they assured me that the things my caseworkers were doing were illegal. I did tape them, the workers lied under oath and all types of stuff. They exaggerated the truth the list goes on. They should be put in jail for stuff like that. Thank God the judge didnt like the fact that my caseworker was LAUGHING at us in court and ordered my case close. Whats funny about destroying children lives. Nobody can tell you what you know and I know that dyfs of NJ is corrupt I went to the legislator who couldnt help because of the privacy clause even though I signed over releases. They still refused to give them any information. I wonder why. As for compliance i was 100 percent compliant and they just kept trying to add on stuff. I told the truth and was punished for allowing them to so called help, so my experience was a nightmare they forced me to give them my son because they knew i didnt know the law. Thats against the law and illegal and they do it all the time.
Comment by kwanie — October 10, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
kwanie, since the stupid Social Worker laughed at you, which resulted in the closing of your case, do you now have your son? That caseworker should be shot. Yes! I said it! CPS, if you want to use this against me when I bear my own children saying that I was hostile, uncooperative, or mentally ill, you go right ahead. It would be a blaten lie, as i’m sound of mind with a higher than average IQ with my own company. What’s more, I feel it is very normal for people to say things like that out of outrage. People everyday on the streets say things like:
I’m going to kill ——–.
She/he should be shot.
I’m going to wreck —–.
Of course, people say these things out of frustration but never act on them. You should know. Oh, I forgot, most social workers with sick minds would not know those things because they are far from human. Of course, I don’t direct any of what I say to those social workers who really do have good hearts and are trying to do their job, as I know some of you and know you are out there. I’ve seen a few good ones who’ve been very helpful. I direct what I say to those who are bad and in the job for the wrong reasons, which seems to be quite a few.
Comment by Reina Brown — October 10, 2008 @ 5:29 pm
Sabrina,
Contact Senator Nancy Schaefer… Go to her website.. Her is her e-mail
senatornancyschaefer@alltel.net
senatornancyschaefer@windstream.net
Best of luck!!!!!!!!
Comment by Diando — October 10, 2008 @ 5:47 pm
Sabrina,
Contact Senator Nancy Schaefer… Go to her website.. Here is her e-mail
senatornancyschaefer@alltel.net
senatornancyschaefer@windstream.net
Best of luck!!!!!!!!
Comment by Diando — October 10, 2008 @ 5:47 pm
It is your 1st Ammendment Constitutional Right (Freedom of Speech) to be able to write what you want on here.
However, when it comes to CPS we the public have lost all rights..
Comment by Diando — October 10, 2008 @ 5:52 pm
Amy,
You seem to be honest and I would like to apologize for my earlier posts.
However, you did say ”
Most of the time the person making the allegations is someone you know who you “wronged.â€
Are you assuming that we wronged them or is this just a figure of speach?
In my case it did not go the way you stated.
Our Investigator saw nothing wrong, we were nice, complied and did everything we could other than call the police on her which we later found out by the police that is what we should have done…
The investigator was very rude, she was yelling and screaming etc. She even lied to us about where the court house was and what time to show up.
That is just the short version.
However, I would like to apologize if you are for real in what you say.
We cooperated in every way and then some. We were wronged in the worst of ways, not by just the Investigator but 5 out of the 6 caseworkers and the even the Supervisors..
The one for real caseworker, when push came to shove, lied too!
Comment by Diando — October 10, 2008 @ 6:17 pm
Hey Everybody,
A Dr. Phil show is in the works regarding my case! This story is FINALLY going to be heard. I am telling the TRUTH about CPS, parental alienation, and the joke family courts. Please pray something will come of this & justice will be served for all of us innocent victims of cps. Keep up the great work you’re doing Diando & Reina!
Comment by Susan — October 10, 2008 @ 8:31 pm
Susan,
Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Diando — October 10, 2008 @ 9:05 pm
Awesome! Susan, I’m glad you are going to be heard. There really IS a God! I knew that before, but he is always amazing me.
Can you tell us when it will come on. I want to watch it. I’ll even show others or perhaps, put it on my website, which is almost finished by the way. Keep us posted.
We can’t surrender our rights to this agency. They ARE NOT God.
Comment by Reina Brown — October 11, 2008 @ 4:38 am
my sons school called DFS on me because I told my sons teacher that I couldnt get his ADHD medicine filled till I got my new insurance cards because the pharmacy said the numbers were not going thru. I even told my sons doctor and she was fine with it. well the principal called DFS. My daughter who was 13 at the time a year ago was watcing my son who was 8 at that time after school till I got home from work. My son was going over his friends house to play well the mother contacted the school cause she didnt believe my son when he said his sister was home and they said to call DFS cause I am unapproachable and there is already a case in there. I was arrested and had to hire an attorney which charges were dropped cause they were bogus charges then DFS did there so called investigation and she told me that my daughter could watch my son well 3 weeks later I got a letter that I was being put on child neglect level 3 list which is if you leave a child home alone that cant fend for themselve like dress or eat. They wouldn’t return my calls so I went to court without an attorney and even though I gave good points and showed the social worker didnt do any investigation and she actually lied on the stand and said that she never said my daughter could watch my son which why wouldnt she be able to cause she was over the required age and they didnt test her or talk to any doctors or teachers. the commisioner asked me if I was drinking today cause I look like I was drinking and asked if I did drugs, and after I told her no she can drug test me she said no cause I feel no child should watch any child with adhd and she substantiated the order. My son isnt hyper it is just attention defficeit and he never did anything to cause any alarm while he was playing outside with his friends. The cop stated he was wandering the neighbor hood and that he cant do that which all kids his age do it but he wasnt wandering any where. I had to pay another attorney $1500.00 just to have a judge take my name off the child neglect list stating that DFS did no investigation and infact closed case within 3 weeks. I understand that someone needs to protect children from abuse but who protects the parents. I am a single mom and I just cant afford these bills and the same woman called DFS on me again 3 weeks ago cause my son was eating over his friends house and she said that I am a dead beat mom and have no food in my house which is untrue cause it was only 6:00pm and my sons dinner was ready. I feel I have no one on my side I am at there Mercy. They were banging on my door at 11:30 at night and I refused to let them in cause it made me mad and I told them I didnt want my kids interviewed without an attorney but they went to their school and did it any way. I am just so tired of this, its like fighting city hall…Its a losing battle and there is nothing that I can do cause if I don’t comply then they feel there is a problem. Where is my rights? This is very costly as well as embarrasing.
Comment by Tina Labella — October 11, 2008 @ 8:28 am
The producer called me yesterday (Friday). He needs to talk to all parties involved and get the guarantee that they will agree to appear on the show. I know my husband & oldest daughter will. I’ll keep you all posted as soon as I get any information!
Comment by Susan — October 11, 2008 @ 9:21 am
Susan:
You go, gal!!
Hope you enjoy LA.
Please remember that you are the FACE of CPS’ indifference toward families.
We have found that calm, composed speech works well and conveys a positive image.
How about the DADS who post to this board?
Everyone has heard of real horror stories, especially from the Midwest.
Perhaps the producers could run a ‘DADS AND CPS’ segment, too.
BTW, Montel Williams was often mindful of the abuses committed by CPS and ran stories just about every year he was on national TV.
Thank you for your courage. F.
Comment by Fern — October 11, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
Go, Susan, GO!
It’s the best way to bring the secrecy out into the open!
I am soooo happy for you, I hope everything good comes from it!
Comment by willfightforjustice — October 11, 2008 @ 4:20 pm
Thank you all! I pray to God, this will materialize! I did also write to Montel when he was on, cuz I watched him more than Dr. Phil. Oprah would be a good one to also go on, but she’s so busy with celebrities & Obama. The producer did say he likes my story & he has to talk to his higher ups & get confirmations from everybody involved. Hope to hear something Monday. I’ll keep you all posted.
Comment by Susan — October 11, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
Hi there again,
I have a question. It is a strange one: but, I felt that this was the appropriate place to ask. Here goes.
I have a friend who is in a lot of trouble. She sleeps around, does drugs, has a history of neglect and abuse, and has a host of mental problems. She also has no custody of any of her kids, and rightfully so. One lives with her mom, the second with her friend, and the third was snatched by the state when she gave birth. She is allowed visitation with that last child. I tried to ask if he was abused, but she did not give me an intelligent and straightforward answer. I’m not sure she even paid attention to tell you the truth.
Now, she is carrying a fourth, and the state is going to be after that one, too. I was wondering if it was legal for me to pay her anywhere from ten to twenty grand for her to surrender all contact with the child and all rights, as well as visitation, so I can adopt that child and give it a good home fully raising it myself without any unwholesome interference. I don’t want the state to have it, and I also do not want her in the child’s life, as she is not wholesome in the least bit, and it wouldn’t at all be in the best interest of the child. She has been known to be abusive, neglectful, violent with kids when they get on her nerves, and more. I’m just trying to do all that I can, so I can save this poor soul from a miserable life. I don’t want him abused in foster care, and I don’t want her to even have a chance at him since I don’t want her taking him back for any reason. So, would it be legal to buy the child off? I’ll do anything for this kid. And, once I buy the child off, get a lawyer, get the closed/private adoption papers, is there a way I can keep CPS out of my life and away from this child? I’ll fight them, too, and do whatever it takes: however, I’d prefer peace overall.
Before anyone makes any wrong assumptions about these questions, I want to reassure you that I’m no part of a baby selling ring, nor am I doing this for unpure reasons. I just want to pay her to give her motivation to give up the kid because if I don’t, she’ll want an open adoption meaning that she still would like to be in the child’s life, and I don’t feel this is a good idea at all. I have a heart for children that don’t have a chance of being in a good situation, and I don’t want that to happen to this child. As I said before, I want CPS and the state, as well as her, to have no part of him for reasons of safety and good and stable development. If giving her a large sum of money is totally illegal, or if it falls into the category of baby trafficking–totally not me in the least bit–please give me any suggestions as to what I can do to achieve this goal of private adoption. I’ll take them all. I’m kind of desperate, in case you didn’t notice, as time is running out. I want to abide fully by the law, as well as save this child.
I look forward to anyone who has the answers. Thanks so much.
Comment by Reina Brown — October 12, 2008 @ 12:09 am
Tina, I strongly suggest that you get in touch with the American Family Rights Association and learn what your rights are–quickly! You do have rights, and you have the right to have them respected. If you wanted, you could even choose to take your son completely off his meds and control it with alternative medicine. THAT … IS … YOUR … RIGHT!!!!!!!! It is such a shame that these people feel they have to call CPS on everything you do. It is obvious they have it out for you. Talk to your lawyer, and seef if there is such a possibility of having those complainers blacklisted, so to speak. Also, take pictures and document everything. Get all the evidence you need. These people are liars, and they are crazy. If you find a good social worker, wonderful, but it seems they are getting harder to find. STand strong, and fight the fine fight. Remember YOU HAVE RIGHTS.
Comment by Reina Brown — October 12, 2008 @ 12:14 am
Reina,
To answer your question about paying this woman 10-20k to surrender her rights. That IS ILLEGAL. It is babyselling and you both could get into serious trouble for it. HOWEVER, if you get her to agree to adoption, you paying for her rent, utilities, clothing, necc. living expenses during the pregancy and for a short period after since she will be ‘unable to work’ immed. after having the baby, it would technically not be illegal (This is how adoption agencies do it). BUT you should really speak to an adoption lawyer in your state to find out what your state deems legal for monies exchanged in adoption processes so that it doesnt teeter on baby selling. Also, I would suggest that if you get the woman to agree to this adoption, you hire her a laywer, hire yourself one, and get the paperwork moving. The lawyer that you consult would be able to give you all that info ect.
Comment by momoffor — October 12, 2008 @ 1:42 am
Thanks, momoffor. I’ll be checking into that ASAP. Thanks so much for your help.
Comment by Reina Brown — October 12, 2008 @ 2:56 pm
It is encouraging to have a talk show take interest. But, realize, this is nothing new to them. They are in the entertainment industry. If you can get them to air your story, more power to you. Before Montel, Dr. Phil or any other talk show hosts consider inviting you, it is ran straight through the directors. I don’t want to seem as a negative influence, but it’s the same as contacting our senators. They have their own agenda and do not want to hurt their position. Now, if one of them sticks with their ideals, rather than what would be in the best interest of them making money, I pray that that happens. Tell your story to people who have nothing to financially gain from it. Tell it to everyone. But, please, do not get false hopes from talk shows. Most importantly, never stalk talking and getting the truth out of just how wrong and immoral DHS is. Try to save others from the same atrocities that come with DHS intrusion.
Comment by daaronad — October 12, 2008 @ 8:20 pm
Thanks, I’m just hoping for some mediation on allowing us to see our kids more. I DO NOT trust any lawyers, counselors, etc. in Colorado. I’ve been wronged by so many of them here. At the very least, I hope Dr. Phil could hook us up with a non corrupt attorney or have one on the show that would give us some advice on our situation. I’m definitely not gonna stop screaming about the atrocities of CPS & I’m gonna point out on the show that one of the caseworkers is friends with my mom & her ‘partner’, which is a total conflict of interest, but in this hellhole town, that doesn’t seem to matter.
Comment by Susan — October 13, 2008 @ 6:10 am
Colorado residents:
Suzanne Shell is your contact in CO.
She is devoted to reforming DHS and has been for 15 years.
Profane-justice.org
look under family advocates. Best. F.
Comment by Fern — October 13, 2008 @ 6:37 am
Susan,
Great Job!
Just be careful of how you say things and think them through carefully before you open your mouth.
Shows are edited and can be turned around….
Love ya girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let me know when it airs…. I’ll take that day off!
Comment by Diando — October 13, 2008 @ 11:13 am
Susan,
Great Job!
Just be careful of how you say things and think them through carefully before you answer any questions…
Be careful of how you speak of CPS becasue this coud be turned around on you without you knowing it..
Shows are edited and can be turned around….
Love ya girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let me know when it airs…. I’ll take that day off!
Comment by Diando — October 13, 2008 @ 11:15 am
I have gone through a unbelievable CPS ordeal and one of the most important lessons I learned from my experience was that women have brought the gargantuan, overbearing, ruthless government CPS monster/intrusive into peoples lives by asking for it.
By asking first the government to “take care of single moms” with welfare then requesting big govt to assist them to collect child support for them, then requesting and badgering for Gestapo-style punishments for deadbeat/non-custodial dads.
Well, ladies, the shoe is now on the other foot and the blowback is and will remain devastating and unrelenting until you tell the government to stay OUT OF ALL YOUR FAMILY AFFAIRS.
Comment by Alexander Solzhenitsyn — October 13, 2008 @ 11:18 am
i have studied a lot of stuff over the past 6 years about how all court cases work. i have recently found ways to track how the cases are bonded. once you find your case cusip number, you can submit documents to the court- i have a barrage of them- that will prove the court is biased, making money from the cases etc. this is not the same as what cheryl barnes found- but could be tied together eventually. there are ways to shut down the avenue of income for the courts so they will no longer want to handle your case.
i would highly encourage folks to search out all i have posted for themselves.
do google searches on jean keating, 1099 OID’s, bond tracking, go to http://www.activequote.fidelity.com and search your case as a mutual fund and fund number…….there is a lot of information once your pointed in the right direction.
Comment by Char — October 13, 2008 @ 11:27 am
Alexander-
In case you haven’t noticed, about half of these posters are MEN. And more than that, except for a small percentage, the rest are husband and wife. Comparitively, a few are single mom’s.
Comment by Cheryl — October 13, 2008 @ 11:45 am
Fern -
Thanks so much for the information. Should I email this help line with my story? I had no idea these guys existed.
Alaska Resident
Comment by DeJaun — October 13, 2008 @ 12:12 pm
according to shell its been 17 years get Your facts striate and if you want to keep your kids i don’t suggest that scam artist take a look at my website above and Google Suzanne Shell you will be glad you did
Colorado residents:
Suzanne Shell is your contact in CO.
Fern
She is devoted to reforming DHS and has been for 15 years.
Comment by Billy Wiseman — October 13, 2008 @ 12:58 pm
Cheryl -
Yes, I do notice that most of the people that post are married couples but nowhere did I say that it was just single mothers that asked for “big govt” protection schemes. I stated that “women” and that means all women in generally without any group distinction.
My point is that “women in general” either supported, requested and/or did nothing as this Big Brother, Family Destroying, Soul Sucking machinery built up into the current manifestation that it is now.
They believed that it would just stick it to/punish indiscriminately the men and/or their ex’s and that the “Big Govt Stick” would be available for them as a backstop in case their hubby/boyfriend didn’t “act right” after their breakup/divorce.
Initially, women deluded themselves with the thought they accomplished something by allowing Govt intrusion into “other families” lives for the “best interest of the children” but what you women haven’t forgotten is that, you, in the majority either get custody in a divorce or breakup and also as importantly you are now the primary target of “Big Govt Stick” because you have the children and it is in their best interest (and their budgets) that you prove yourself to them(Big Govt).
Comment by Alexander Solzhenitsyn — October 13, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
Alexander,
My daughter was married, not on welfare or asking for child support…
It almost sounds to me as if you like what is happening to children and families here.
As if this were your payback to an ex…
I was a single parent with 3 daughters.. I never asked for Government assistance nor did I get any child support…..
In alot of these cases it’s the men whom don’t want to pay child support and that make the call and bring CPS into the families lives…
My ex-called CPS on me all the time.. At least once a month… Took me to court for almost 7 years… He never paid any child support!
But, always got his day in court… It was solely for harrassment… 20 years later he still carries my pictures in his wallet and has other photos on his coffee table from what I am told by my son-in-laws..
I never put him in jail because I didnt see the point…
So, don’t blame this all on women!
Comment by Diando — October 13, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
Alexander,
By the way, it was Bill Clinton who signed the “Safe Families Act” supposedly to protect children..
But really it was to create more jobs, sell more drugs to put more money in his pocket…
Bill Clinton has (did have until Hillary rand for President) stock in the very drug companies that are given to children in Foster Care…
Comment by Diando — October 13, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
Char,
I could not find that website.. It’s telling me it doesn’t exist.
http://www.activequote.fidelity.com
Am I missing something..
Comment by Diando — October 13, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
Diando’s right about the Clinton’s passing the ‘Safe Families Act’ in the nineties. That moronic law paved the way for all this govt. intrusion we are seeing today. John McCain actually said something intelligent. He said the govt. needs to freeze any agency/spending except those that help veterens. This doesn’t include Medicaid, Medicare, or unemployment benefits (I hope). The economy is so horrible, why the hell do we even need wasteful spending like CPS right now.
No word from the Dr. Phil show as of yet
Comment by Susan — October 13, 2008 @ 3:01 pm
A lot of blame can be placed on the Clinton era (and I am a registered Democrat and always have been) but this “it takes a village” and the feel good Nafta and the Telecommunicatioons Act of 1996 legislation and others can be traced back to the Clinton administration.
All disasters.
The Clinton administration is an absolute embarrassment to me and to many other registered dems.
I want government out of our personal lives and the dems simply won’t do that.
Maggie
Comment by MaggieC — October 13, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
Alexander “S”-
Is this a joke? Did you write the Gulag? I read it over thirty years ago (unreadable then) unreadable now-though in the cold war era, it was a blockbuster.
Comment by MaggieC — October 13, 2008 @ 8:54 pm
hi,my name is shyann,i have been puting up with cps and all there false acusations for about a year now…i am absolutely outradged on how far they will go just to take away my baby girl who isnt even born yet!!, yes i am still a teen but i am a very responsabel mother,,,you see,i also have another daughter who has spinal bifida..(a opening in the spine) in other words that would almost completely disable her ability to walk…so yes i sighned her over to cps because i knew that it would take alot of therepy and doctors appointments and diapers her whole life,and its not that i am not wiling to take care of her but its just i could not provide all the special care that she was required to have,and anyways cps got involved and made sure that i wouldnt get her back so i faught for her for over a year and i lost her permanently but what made me so mad was that they treated me like i was an abuseive drugabuser or something and to tell you the truth i would NEVER EVER do anything like that, and now cps has a case on me and my younger sister and there saying stuff like my grandparents are insane and that they are alcoholics and to tell you the truth, my grandmother hasent drank since the 80’s and my grandfather he might have ONE beer a night but who could blame him i would be stressed too.anyways margret duncan….a cps case worker comes over when ever she wants and my daughters case worker maggie,,,comes over too!!!!and its unanounced and its whenever the heck they feel like it…they go in our rooms and look in the fridgerator and i dont know what to do!!!!i need help….i dont know how they can sleep at night knowing that they took a child from its mother and toar there family apart over something like “the floors are not new” or the window is cracked” we really cant affored to get our house remodeld just so they can be satisfied,,,,for the moment anyways….if anyone has any advice please dont hesitate to post a comment to: young mother of two….thanks for readin.
Comment by young mother of two — October 13, 2008 @ 10:04 pm
Alexander, CPS was started with The Child Abuse Prevention and Training Act, CAPTA, in 1974… that was called “The Mondale Act” after Walter Mondale, the man who wrote it. I do understand what you’re trying to say about welfare, but this isn’t a women-only issue, and women don’t always get custody either. If you have a problem with women, this is not a place to express that hostility. You have been warned.
Comment by Linda — October 14, 2008 @ 1:44 am
Shyann, if you’ve already had one child ripped away from you by CPS, you need to know that CPS can intrude on your hospital room and rip the new baby out of your arms without any reason at all. This is allowed by a 1996 law called ASFA (Adoptions and Safe Families Act). I cannot advise you on what to do to protect your unborn child from CPS, but I am telling you now, it sounds like CPS is back in your family life for the purpose of keeping tabs on you until you deliver your child. Good luck… I dearly hope you will have the opportunity to be a parent to this baby.
Comment by Linda — October 14, 2008 @ 1:49 am
I am a social worker with CPS and have been for close to 12 years. I won’t even begin to justify why some CPS workers do the things they do. I don’t understand it, and don’t condone it. I do want to say that there are social workers with CPS that don’t treat people like that, work very hard with parents, and work very hard to get kids back home or keep them home if possible. I believe I am one of them. I truly believe that children are best if they can stay at home, but there are some cases when they can’t. I have seen a lot of situations. Kids traumatized by the numerous moves that they have had to endure throughout their lives. Kids die in the parents home because the signs of an unsafe home weren’t seen. Kids kept in the home with a butt load of services and doing just fine. Parental rights terminated where the kids were in a foster home that could give them a stable life, and it didn’t turn out that way. Parents who had their kids returned even after a TPR was initiated. Kids who have reported that they love their parent, but don’t want to go back home because things are not going to change. Some of these things I have been a part of, others I haven’t.
I understand that this particular web site is about the problems that people have had with CPS workers, and I believe that there are a lot of people out there that this is true. I just want to remind people that there are respectful, kind, thoughtful, and hard working social workers as well. And if there is anything that I have learned over the last 12 years (8 more before that as a social worker in other areas) is that one situation has so many facets that it is nearly impossible for anyone outside the situation to get all the information in a short time. That is why I work with families long term, so I can get to know them and find out what is going on. I work with families where the kids are in the home, out of the home in foster care, and out of the home in relative care. Just remember, there are many more than 2 sides to each individual situation, and don’t brand all of us for some of the workers incompetence.
Thanks
Comment by nancy — October 14, 2008 @ 6:44 am
Maggie, I totally agree about the Clinton era. i’m also a registered democrat, but I want to change it to Independent now. I’m gonna vote for a 3rd party candidate in this election. I don’t think Mondale realized what he was doing when he created the CAPTA Act. Wonder if he has any idea at all of the monster cps has become!
Shyann, please be VERY careful. Record (audio or videotape) their visits. It sounds like they are doing a ‘witch hunt’, they call it ‘investigation’. This website and AFRA (American Family Rights Association) both have some very helpful advice. They snatched my newborn daughter under the speculation that ‘there might be abuse’. There was NO abuse in my case, just flimsy neglect charges that would never stand up in a real court. If they’ve already rummaged thru your refrigerator, tell them they don’t need to keep on doing that. They are extremelly rude, intruding into people’s homes and ruining lives (such as mine). I’m not saying the one who just posted above is a bad one. All the ones I’ve had the displeasure of being in contact with are though.
Comment by Susan — October 14, 2008 @ 8:06 am
Susan,
When Mondale wrote the CAPT act he knew and feared that it could be misused…
Also, it is said that during Clintons campaign Hillery stated “she wanted CPS in everyones home but her own”
The Clintons knew exactly what they were doing.
If you go back and research them, you will be very shocked at what you find…
Comment by Diando — October 14, 2008 @ 8:22 am
Shyann,
Cheryl is right… They will come and take the new baby….
My prayers are with both of you!
Comment by Diando — October 14, 2008 @ 8:23 am
Young mother of two…
Do they have warrants to do so? Or have you signed papers stating that they can do this?
If not then you legally do not have to let them in..
If you live in the State of Texas, Lousiana or Missippi they now have to have a signed order from the judge to remove a child..
Comment by Diando — October 14, 2008 @ 8:27 am
Nancy, it is not only cps taking children out of the home. In my situation last year my daughter was 13 and my son was 8 and he was playing outside of the home in my neighborhood with his friends. My nosy neighbor who lived a couple of blocks over didn’t believe my son that he had a sister watching him and made a referral to DFS. They called the police and because he stated my son was “wandering ” the neighborhood that my daughter didn’t have control over him. I knew where he was and so did my daughter. Well his supervisor left it up to him and I was arrested. Have you ever been shackled to a bench for 3 hours in the same room with a bunch of criminals. Needless to say it was humiliating and tramatizing for me and my family. It cost me $1100.00 for an attorney just to go in and have them tell me that they are dropping the charges then my social worker said my daughter can watch my son but to have him stay inside till this all blows over. There was never any investigation as far as talking to my neighbors or doctors or school officials and I received a letter 3 weeks later stating I was being put on a child neglect level 3 registry for 7 years. I am almost done nursing school so I had to have my name removed. I called the social worker and her supervisor and no one would return my call. I didn’t have the money for an attorney because I make too much money for help cause they don’t take your bills into account and after I stated my case and proved that my case worker was a liar and all the commisioner had to say was have you been drinking today cause you look like you have been drinking and when I said no would you like to test me she said no she is substantiating the order cause no child should watch a child with ADHD. Well my son is attention defficeit and not hyper and that had nothing to do with why she was putting me on the neglect list. She stated cause there was insufficient supervision but when I called in the state of Delaware they would like them to be 12 years old. and level 3 list states when there is no supervision for a child that can not fend for their self like feed their self or dress their self so the punishment didn’t even fit the alleged crime. It cost me another $1500.00 for an attorney just for a judge to look at the transcripts and also atate there was no investigation and to take me off the neglect list immediately. That is almost $3000.00 dollars that I could have spent on clothes or braces for my daughter. They never even followed up as to see how we were doing. Now I am in chapter 13 so I don’t lose my home and my electric could get turned off any day. Please tell me how you people helped my family by putting us in poverty over this. And now the same nosy neighbor did it again stating I have no food to feed my kids which I dont recall her ever in my home looking in my fridge but my kids are very healthy and have plenty of food. The nutso finally messed up when she left a nasty note on my house talking about me being a deadbeat mom and to tell my daughter to stop showing her “v” to all the boys in the park. Well my daughter never leaves the house so there is something wrong with her to say that about a child but I did call the cops and let my social worker know cause she was also calling the cops her self stating a 9 year old is home alone and I would get knocks at 11:30 at my home when we were asleep. The worker still wants me to comply and let her visit my home to inspect it, but I am not because the last time I complied I was put on a registry. I am a good mom and take care of my kids. Cps still went to the school and talked to them even after I refused to sign the form cause I wanted an attorney present. No one read my kids their rights. Don’t they have the right to have someone present. And my social worker sounded as nice as you while she was stabbing me in the back. So I am sorry I don’t trust a single one of you no matter what you or anyone else says. All these problems these poor parents are having with cps and then its the people that really abuse their kids that get smacked on the hand and let go.
Comment by Tina Labella — October 14, 2008 @ 9:48 am
I’m just curious,do these workers and foster care have psych evals,backround cks,drug tests,done previous as well as random throughout employment with the govt.
Comment by margie meeks — October 14, 2008 @ 11:12 am
oops i forgot the question mark?
Comment by margie meeks — October 14, 2008 @ 11:13 am
Tina,
I could not have said it any better.
I am glad you got your name off of the registry.
It would have been very damaging.
All they need in most states is “credible” evidence (don’t let the word ‘credible’ mislead you.
A CPS worker’s opinion can be construed as ‘credible’.
When you fight the listing, in most states, CPS needs to adhere to a fair preponderance of evidence-a higher standard.
If the Administrative Judge then denies and it goes to an appellate court, the standards of evidence become stricter.
The burden of proof is on CPS, not on the parents.
They don’t let o nto that fact though.
Good luck in nursing. It’s a very noble field.
Comment by MaggieC — October 14, 2008 @ 11:32 am
in my case this social worker had no evidence cause she did no investigation. every thing she testified to was in her head she didnt even bring any paper work with her to go off of. She couldnt remember dates and went off of hearsay from another coworker, and she actually lied a few times and I had a witness to attest to it, but they have the attorney generals office representing them and since I had no attorney then ofcourse the commissioner is going to side with them no matter what the circumstances are. So NEVER FIGHT CPS IN COURT WITHOUT LEGAL COUNCIL cause it is definately a loss for the good guys no matter how strong you feel your defense is. Mine was cut and dry cause I was doing the same thing I was before I got arrested and no one followed up with me and I told them I was still doing the same thing where my 13 year old was watching my son but they didn’t care cause they already had me on the list. I don’t believe a parent that is abusive and on drugs and that is just a lowlife really cares if they are on this list or not…How does that list stop them from abusing their kids?
Comment by Tina Labella — October 14, 2008 @ 12:25 pm
Thanks Maggie:)
Comment by Tina Labella — October 14, 2008 @ 12:25 pm
Shyan,good luck to you sweetheart,i pray that you and your baby come home.make sure that you always have some sort of witness at all times,
or a video camera,and or a tape recorder.do’nt let them get you alone.
they lie and twist the truth,and usually its there word against yours.and right after giving birth all you can think about is saveing your baby,thats when you’re most vulnerable.there is nothing worse than going home from the hosp emty handed. bless you girl.
Comment by margie meeks — October 14, 2008 @ 12:37 pm
Here is what i did that pissed them off real bad and mad them turn my case over to someone else. I got advice from a friend who had already been through it before, and another friend who has been in the system and is now a foster parent. they said record every conversation you have with them people cause chance are they are hiding something and dont want other people to know, if they refuse to talk to you wile they are being recorded then tell them you are uncomfortable without it and that is your right no matter what they say. as long as you tell them first though.
Cps wants our kids, there is a law that has been passed and its called the safe families law. they can..if and only if you lose parental rights to your child ADOPT them out for money. cps receives money every year for adoptions.
For one child its what 4000
for a child with disabilities it 6000
for a child 12 and over its an additional 10,000 so that what 16,000 or so.
It is our jobs as parents to raise our kids not cps and when they take our kids away they are breaking our lives.
i will not kiss the butt which is cps.
there is a way you can find out you rights Go to the law library, right down everything you do and make them put signatures next to everything even if they dont want to.
and heres another thing i found out that once your plan has been set so that you can work toward getting your kids back…you can go visit you kids anytime anytime you want as long as the foster parents dont care. i was lucky enough to have a friend who did research for me.
I hope and pray that each and ever family on here will be reunited with their children, cause that is the way god wants it to be. keep praying and i will be praying for all of us as well.
Comment by Mindy steele — October 14, 2008 @ 2:27 pm
Well put, Mindy. But a reminder (or warning) to all, once a child id in the DHS system, he/she sees a psyciatrist, which will put them on medication, which makes them a special needs child, hence the added incentive for the foster care program= $$$$$. There are many lessons to learn, myself included, with how the DHS system is allowed to continue to get away with operating the way that it does. ANYONE NEW TO DHS, BE FOREWARNED…you are being misguided. It doesn’t matter which side you are on. The parent and children or the worker. DO NOT TRUST DHS. It IS destructive to all who are involved.
Comment by daaronad — October 14, 2008 @ 8:21 pm
Reina,
I had my son back for a while they just wasnt trying to close the case.
I wish everyone the best it is very difficult and truly unless u have experienced it you probably wouldnt understand. I couldnt imagine how easy it is for them to lie and they have so many fooled into believing that they really care about the childrens well being and some of them dont.
Comment by kwanie — October 15, 2008 @ 6:28 am
Until my granddaughter was taken, I believed in CPS..
You don’t know the corruption until it is too late…
Please everyone make daily notes, research, record, keep a paper trail, know your rights and cover your butts…
I know this has been said several times but I don’t think it can be said enough…
Also, I don’t think that people realize that you don’t have to take the classes from CPS..
There are classes through the state that you can take for free.. Or you can go on your own and pay for them..
If you do it this way, you get real help and a certificate and it really pisses CPS off because they don’t get the money for it.
Most important of all, once you have signed for classes, don’t keep signing for more.
I know of alot of people that when they refused to take anymore classes they got their child/children back… CPS wasn’t making money off of them…
This is just my opinion please use your own judgement.. Reasearch, research, research
Comment by Diando — October 15, 2008 @ 9:42 am
Diando,
I’m not sure if you had contacted your legistors and repsentatives when they were voting on the “Safe Families Act” but if you didn’t then you make my point. It is/was your navitety or lack of inaction that has allowed the big government juggernaut to grow in strength and scope to the monster that it is now. My point is that as long as men and women do not demand government out of their lives on all but the absolute basic human issues as allowed in the Constitution, it will continue to destroy families and lives. As in the Gulag Archipelago that MaggieC made reference to, no one cares or wants to know that the government is trampling other people’s lives and rights until the government is coming after them and theirs.
Comment by Alexander Solzhenitsyn — October 15, 2008 @ 10:23 am
Help CPS took my 10 month old son away based on allegations of women staying in a domestic violence shelter. The worker in formed me that all 4 women were very credible witnesses. Even though one was a heroin addict, one an animal abuser, one an alcoholic and one who hadn’t even known me for a week. They placed my son with my mom and said if you take a DBT class, counseling, and attend a weekly abused womens class, then you may get your son back. I want to fight CPS in court and take my chances with a judge. I have no record and have never been in any trouble before. What are my chances? And how do you go about finding representation in Maine? I believe the CPS worker judged me before she even met me.
Comment by tiffany wing — October 15, 2008 @ 10:53 am
Tiffany,
The current govt agencies will generate funding through federal kickbacks for “helping your kid”, they will tell you reunification is their ultimate goal but rest assured that the state of Maine has an incentive(foster care/adoption reimbursements) to adopt out your child to some stranger and therefore that is really their main goal($). The truth hurts but you should plan and act accordingly. Ask that your child be sent to his father or ask that he be placed with a relative.
Comment by Alexander Solzhenitsyn — October 15, 2008 @ 11:22 am
My child is staying with my mother. My question is should I jump through their hoops or try to fight this in a court battle? I’m thinking I would have better luck with a judge.
Comment by tiffany — October 15, 2008 @ 11:25 am
Tiffany,
The judges are in on it too. They make money from the court appointed attorneys that represent you.. The assign the cases to the attorneys that contribute the most money to their campaign…
If at all possible hire an independent attorney.. Video tape or audio tape all conversations.. Let them know you are doing it.
Have you signed anything yet? If you havn’t then don’t. Do not admit to anything that you havn’t done… Or even if you have for that matter…
You can take the classes through the State or on your own just make sure that they are CPS approved..
Do not take their classes as they are rigged and they make money that way… Not only that but you will not receive any type of certificate…
Some classes you can even take on the internet..
Best wishes!
P.S. Please don’t be mad at your mom.. He is much better off with her than in Foster care..
When I had my granddaughter my daughter was angry with me… It’s a normal reaction I think..
All the while I was fighting for her to be able to go home where she belonged… With her God Given Parents in which she is now with…
Write Linda and ask her to give you my e-mail address and I will approve..
Comment by Diando — October 15, 2008 @ 12:12 pm
Also, the Judges sit on the boards and get paid that way also…
Comment by Diando — October 15, 2008 @ 12:12 pm
rather you jump thru their hoops or not, you will be in court fighting anyhow.
Comment by Cheryl — October 15, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
I’m not upset with my mom however she did not raise me so i believe she is trying to make up for lost time with my son. I believed if i was respectful and jumped through their hoops it would speed up my process of reunification. I have no financial means of gaining an attorney and was told by cooperating that this would not go to court. I have my 2nd family team meeting tomorrow. CPS has not filed a PPO agaisnt me so how could this end up in court?
Comment by tiffany — October 15, 2008 @ 12:33 pm
Alexander,
Your right.. I didn’t vote… My only excuse is that I was busy raising 2 teens, a toddler and working 12 hours a day in 1995.
I was a single parent with no help from my ex… Not even child support. Although, he did come by why I was at work and take my girls allowance and have them do his laundry..
Comment by Diando — October 15, 2008 @ 12:47 pm
They will keep you jumping through hoops for minimum 1 year.. Then tell you time is up and adopt your son out..
They can adopt a baby out faster than they can a 2yr old…
Read their policies and do your research… make sure you follow up each conversation with a written letter stating what was said.. Fax, e-mail or snail mail… Make sure you have some kind of confimation..
The very best thing to do is video tape.. I know recorders are expensive but very well worth every dime….
Comment by Diando — October 15, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
April 19, 2008, 10:08PM
JUVENILE COURTS
A select few get the cases, and the cash
The attorneys judges pick most are also campaign contributors
By SARAH VIREN
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
My son-in-laws attorney, which was the Judge’s top campaign contributor, told my son-in-law NOT TO SIGN ANYTHING ELSE - DO NOT TAKE ANYMORE CLASSES…. This attorney always showed up late, and barely ever said a word….
Look up the article below.. This was our Judge… My son-in-laws attorney was Oliver Sprott, my daughters was McInally and our Ad-Litem was William Thursland…
Judge John Phillips listens to caseworkers and attorneys reset a hearing date this month in Houston. He and another judge received more than 90 percent of their campaign contributions from the attorneys they appoint, according to a Chronicle analysis.
Comment by Diando — October 15, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
Sorry, the Article title is at the top here it is again.. It’s the Houston Chronicle.
April 19, 2008, 10:08PM
JUVENILE COURTS
A select few get the cases, and the cash
The attorneys judges pick most are also campaign contributors
By SARAH VIREN
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Comment by Diando — October 15, 2008 @ 1:07 pm
Tiffany,
You have the right to an attorney.. You can usually find one on a sliding scale basis…
Research your state and the attorneys..
Comment by Diando — October 15, 2008 @ 1:09 pm
Tiff-
We were told that IF my son and daughter signed a private power of atty over to me, this would not go to court and no PPO would file. After all, no charges were filed. Nothing.
While we thought everything was okay, and my grandchildren were living with me, the bio’s were attending classes, jumping thru hoops, CPS was filing the PPO in court behind our backs. Imagine our surprise to get that summons in the mail over 1 month later!
I’m guessing you were told to give the baby to your mom voluntarily and nothing further would come of this, right?
Comment by Cheryl — October 15, 2008 @ 1:34 pm
Tiffany, I agree that you should not sign anything, and go to trial even if you have to use one of the court appointed attorneys to do it. You might get some ideas from my article, How To Make Your Court Appointed Attorney Work For YOU.
Comment by Linda — October 15, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
Tiffany,
If you do hire an attorney, please research them VERY CAREFULLY. We made the mistake into thinking if we paid for a lawyer, he would have our best interests in mind. I could never have been so wrong! Not only did we lose our 3 children, we also lost somewhere to the tune of $3,000, much of which was borrowed from my husbands 401K Plan. If you lve in a small corrupt town like I do, I recommend obtaining an attorney from a larger city. That’s what we should have done. These small-town lawyers are most often in cahoots with cps & work as their GALs. Mine gave horrible advice, saying to go along with dhs’s case plan & stupid parenting classes. WE COMPLETED the gay case plan & still lost our kids. Again, please be careful. God Bless and good luck!
Comment by Susan — October 15, 2008 @ 2:43 pm
Alexander,
Some of us have been working to make change. I not only vote for and support the Libertarian Party, but I have run for office as a Libertarian. Not all of us support big government, some of us are working quite hard to oppose it.
If Bob Barr is on the ballot in your state, I would strongly suggest voting for him. Neither the Republicans nor the Democrats will work in any way to make government smaller.
Comment by Gideon Macleish — October 15, 2008 @ 5:37 pm
Tiffany and others-
Court decisions can be appealed. It is a rather strict process but they can be appealed and usually you will win on appeal.
You must stand up for your right s in any lower court hearing.
Because an appeal can only be based on an error of the lower court-an error of law. No new evidence may be brought into an appeal.
That is why it is imperative that one, in lower courts stress that one’s Constitutional rights have been violated (4th and 14th Amendments come to mind off hand). Also, one must read the state statutes (in some states, these are called codes).
CPs rarely rarely rarely follows the law.
If you are in a city or outside of one that contains law schools-I urge you, if you can not afford private counsel, to call those law schools and ask for the Law School Clinic. Stress that your Constitutional Rights are being denied.
Maggie
Comment by MaggieC — October 15, 2008 @ 6:03 pm
Tiffany, my advice is to stop all classes and trying to satisfy DHS. By going along with their suggestions, you continuously add to their proof that you are not an able parent and that you admit it by agreeing to their whims.This goes for everyone, NEVER TALK TO DHS. If you already have, STOP TALKING TO DHS. By doing so, you only hurt your case and your family.
Comment by daaronad — October 15, 2008 @ 7:46 pm
Alexander, most of us never realized the importance of the “Safe Families Act” until after the fact. Many of us have contacted our state reps, etc., to no avail. Just as most of America never realized the importance of the the “PATRIOT ACT.” It sounds harmless and beneficial. But these type of BILLS only give more power to the government to break the CONSTITUTION and our rights. You are right. I’m sad to say that we are at the point of a forced change. Our system of government will not change, but Nature will. Change is imminent, whether we vote for, or not.
Comment by daaronad — October 15, 2008 @ 8:03 pm
As far as the Presidency, I vote for Ron Paul. Barr as a second. McCain, not a chance. Ron Paul and his ideals are what I believe can get the people back into control of our lives.
Comment by daaronad — October 15, 2008 @ 8:14 pm
Both the Republicans & Democrats have gotten us into this HUGE mess we are in. I also will vote for Bob Barr since Ron Paul would be a write-in candidate here in this state. Everybody is telling me that it’s going to be a ‘wasted vote’ that will go towards Obama, but I honestly believe our 2 party system has ruined America.
Comment by Susan — October 15, 2008 @ 9:50 pm
Maggie,
Not all cases are won in an appeal. I just recently lost my appeal, because my attorney did not fight for an audio tape of me yelling at my son violated my constituitional right to privacy in the home. Also a shrink for my kids, who had not seen them in over a year told the Family Court Judge that it would hurt my children if they were allowed to come home. The Federal Courts did not know that this was an old shrink and not their current one. They affirmed Judge Dolbrich’s decision. I did everything “demanded” on me in court even hiring my own therapist who turned around in court and admitted that she did not work on the things needed to in order to bring my children home. I cannot believe I actually paid this woman!!! Of course my caseworker found her for me and this woman had worked in other CPS cases, so she pretty much told me to accept the fact that I had lost my children and move on. The judge told me parenting classes were basically a waste of time, anyone can pass them. I would have rather fought Hitler then fight CPS. I raised 4 children for almost 11 years without a single inccident, accept for the occassional call to CPS from my ex - mother in law. My sons teacher decided she wanted to adopt him, therefore turned in a false report to CPS, when I confronted my child, which I could have done alot better at, my boyfriend at the time taped my and turned it into CPS. They got me for mental abuse, and tried for physical, but there was no proof other then a “slapping sound” on the tape. I never touched him and he had no marks to back up their theory. Appeals Judges do not like to overturn a decision made by the lower courts, because this makes judges look like they are not doing their job. It is even harder to go to the State Supreme Court, because they have a harder time overturning any decision made by the Appeals Courts. I am studying law and know this from my own experince. Tiffany has a hard road ahead of her what ever decision she makes.
Comment by Kandice Cantrell — October 16, 2008 @ 5:42 am
Tiffany,
CPS tried to adopt my granddaughter out from under me.. They were going to do it without my knowledge…
They tried everything they could to prove me unfit.. They sent me Interrogarty Questions that had to be answered…
They even asked me for every name and Date of birth of every man I had slept with my entire life..
They wanted every dr. appt and medication that I had taken in the last 10 years…. etc..
When they didn’t like my answers, because they could not find anything on me, they then asked for the names, birthdates and ss#’s of all my children to try and find something on them and also take their children…
Then when that did not work, they tried to tell me that they did not get the paperwork back in time.. But I sent it by fax and certified mail.
Then, they tried to say that they only got the last 2 pages of my answers… so I was going to be disqualified.
I had a fax confirmation of all pages going through…
Then they tried to tell me I wasn’t bonding with my granddaughter properly, but I was video taping the caseworkers visits, all the why holding my granddaughter…
I finally pointed out the video camera on the bar and she retracted everything she said….
There is more, but I hope you get the idea that they will go to any lenghts to take your baby and adopt him out.. Not to your mother either….
P.S. I already had them on medical neglect of my granddaughter… She almost died in their care….
Comment by Diando — October 16, 2008 @ 7:33 am
Tiffany,
Also, your mother should get an attorney and have him file for Legal Guardianship or Parent De Facto… I’m not sure what it is called in your state..
Cheryl has legal knowledge and can probably help you with that part..
I hired an attorney and that’s what he did for me… He costed me $2500.
Also, if you know who called and lied and can prove it…
I sued the caller which was the baby’s Aunt, my son-in-laws sister on the Judge Judy show and won.. I got over 5,000 and a free trip to L.A. and she hasn’t called on them since…
Comment by Diando — October 16, 2008 @ 7:43 am
Tiffany-
You can agree privately, to give your mother guardianship in any state. It is done by a simple Power of Attorney which can be purchased at any stationary store, or professionally done thru the courts by a family law attorney for less than $500, sometimes as little as $100. Self help counters at the family courts have the paperwork as well. You fill out the form, present it with the filing fee, and they set a hearing date. Thats it.
However, to be honest, the judge will ask you and youmother IF either of you are aware of any open cases, suits, criminal charges, paternity, custody or restraining orders currently in which the baby is a party. When you have to say yes, he will proably NOT allow the kinship order until resolved.
This is something that needed to be done before CPS opened a case; not that you ever could have seen this coming any more than we did. Welcome to “technical Law”. It sucks!
You mother needs to attend every hearing and meeting on the subject of your baby!! I can’t stress this enough. It shows the judge that she will go to any lenghths to raise that child if they later refuse to let you do it. If she does not, they will say that she does not have a paternal bond with the child, and that is all it will take to yank that baby from her and send to a foster home.
Babies are usually sent to an “adoptive-foster home”, which means that the party taking in the baby, gtes 1st dibs on adoption after 9 months of living with the baby, even above and beyond ANY relative.
There is a difference. Adoptive-fosters are paid by the state to care for the baby until the day they officiate adoption. Relatives are known as “placements” only during the open case. As such, under the law, a placement is merely the temporary home for the child and has no adoptive rights later on.
While the child is out of home under an open case, the child is known as “the ward of the state”. As a “ward” the baby can be moved anywhere the state desires at any time. It can be another “placement” or if they desire future adoption, they will select an adoptive-foster home.
If they DO move the child to one of these homes, you can be sure it is because they have a new family to adopt the baby already. This should tell you where your case worker is leaning; and it is NOT toward family re-unification.
The words “family re-unification” must remain the “plan” right up until the “plan” changes to Termination of Parental Rights. So re-unification though written as word in your plan, is just that; word only. Not practiced by allowing you visits and bonding.
These are a few of the basics that Federal Law covers, so it remains the same from State to State. The only thing that can differ really, is the amount of months that the baby remains in an adoptive home before TPR begins and adoption can be started. Some states have a 9 month living requirement and others go up to 15 months living with fosters’ before adoption can begin. Each term, has a specific set of circumstances that must be met of the parents before they can file for TPR. It actually takes less wrongs by parents at 9 months than it does at 15 months. Meaning, the state must prove that these 2 conditions exsist (at 9 months) to terminate your rights. At 15 months, the state must proove that 3-4 conditions exsist before they file for TPR.
Bottom line, if they allow your baby to stay as a “ward” for 9 months, they have an easier time of ending re-unification as a plan than by waiting 15 months to end re-unification.
This is WHY many see CPS file a TPR so quickly. It is easier to prove neglect earlier than later. Either way they are probably lieing, but less likely to get caught in the lies over a 9 month period than 15 months.
Comment by Cheryl — October 16, 2008 @ 8:23 am
Cheryl and Tiffany,
My attorney was able to do it… I don’t know how he did it but he did it… He also at the end, filed without predjudice so that if anything else happened she was to come right back to me…
Also, you are very right about attending every meeting and court date.. I attended each and every one along with a friend (a witness)….
It was mentioned by the Ad-Litem that is why he was fighting for us and not against us…
In the 1st Reunification meeting only after I believe it was 4 weeks they told me they were looking for adoptive parents for her… (This is legal under the age of 1yr..)
This is when the real fight began!
Here in Texas there is a organization called ECI, they come to your home and make false diagnosis on the baby (to get more money)…
While she was in CPS care they diagnosed her with a heart murmur and some other things that were not true..
They are NOT licensed to practice medicine… When I got her I immediately took her to her own Peditrician and had her checked out..
I was told by the caseworker and ECI that ECI was to come and monitor her.
Mind you they were already monitoring her while in CPS/Foster Care they diagnosed her with things she did not have, but not with the Asthma, Colic, Vomiting, Nervous Stomach, Bruises from sox too tight, marks on face, bites all over her body, mishapen head from being left in the car seat, Thrush, diarreah, severe rash (bleeding and puss), sunburn, sores/blisters in her mouth….
When they called me to make the appointment they told me about the heart murmur etc… and when I questioned them further about these things and asked if I could get them in writing before they came out, I was told no…
I then slipped and told them I was the biological granddmother, there was dead silence and she immediately hung up..
I got a call 2 weeks later to schedule an appointment for them to come out and she asked me if she could come 15 minutes prior to the licensed person she was going to bring and re-evaluate the baby and I said no..
She hung up again, called me back in about 4 days later to schedule again and then stated to me that she had no information on the baby other than her name and DOB..
I told her that she was not to come to my house that the baby’s Peditrician said she is doing fine so they were not needed….
This upset the caseworker but, I’m assuming the caseworker called them and found out what happened and nothing more was ever said about ECI.
The caseworker and her supervisor later resigned after we got on recording some more lies and they knew they could not be covered up…
Comment by Diando — October 16, 2008 @ 10:11 am
Diando-
Your attorney probably got it done because you DID attend each meeting and hearing. Also, if for a second that judge believed there might be something to your story, he’d play safe and allow it. After all, relative care IS allowed and denial of that care would make it much harder for the state later to prove neglect.
Mine was also done right away for 2 of them only. But I was threatened that if I allowed the bio’s to come near the kids, he would change it and throw us in jail, and lose all future privelges with the kids, custody ad guardianship possibilities as well.
It meant we had to stand our ground and fight, but politely do it as not to anger the judge. We had to study in the law library every week prior to a meeting or hearing, just to know what the next possible attack on character would be and prep for it.
Cornell University Law Library is online at no cost for anyone who wants to use it, folks.
If you know how to google, you can find your way around this law site pretty well.
Still, 23 months after the case opened, I am fighting to get them to take care of the medical bills and day care that CPS ordered and never paid. I guess they think that a state office like CPS is exempt from paying the state medical dept, for their uses.
Ironic!!!! It’s really just a transfer of cash from 1 dept to another, and they can’t get that done!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Cheryl — October 16, 2008 @ 12:10 pm
Yes, we had solid proof of what had happened… We had pictures and blew them up and took them to court with us..
We also had the media there in court and the cameras in the hallway…
The camera man kept trying to come in and the judge would order the bailiffs to get em out! It was actually kinda funny… As funny as it could be when your fighting for your granddaughters life..
The Judge kept turning his head so he didn’t have to look at the pictures but my attorney kept putting them in his face…
Then we caught the caseworker lying… So, it was a 3 ring circus…
Or should I say a Kangaroo Court… In any other court room we would have all been put in jail…
Also, I was ordered not to talk to or let the kids see my granddaughter as well…
It may have been a coincendence but, they day I spoke with the Producer from the Judge Judy show, 1 hour later the caseworker called and said the kids could come over and visit the baby whenever they wanted…
Comment by Diando — October 16, 2008 @ 12:45 pm
Cheryl,
Your also right about doing your homework and staying one step ahead of them..
Knowing what was coming next.. I got alot of info from this site.. Things went exactly as people told me they would so I knew what to expect and learned the game well.
Staying ahead of the game is how we won….
Comment by Diando — October 16, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
Hey I know this was done in 2004 but couldnt we do something like this as a whole group! If we all did it we might get a lawer to take our case cause it would have lots of attention from the media!
Parents Suing For Constitutional Rights As Parents
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September 03, 2004
Coalition of Parents Unite in Nationwide Class Action Constitutional Challenges for Their Children and Nation
(N.O, LA) September 2, 2004 — Representatives from across the country are announcing that on September 17, 2004, they will simultaneously file federal class action lawsuits, on behalf of an estimated 25 million noncustodial parents, demanding that rights to equal custody of their children be restored by the federal courts.
In what some are calling “the mother of all lawsuits”, the parents will challenge widespread practices by the states in determining care, custody, and support of children. “Parents are tired of being mistreated as second class citizens by state courts,” according to Torm L. Howse, President of the Indiana Civil Rights Council. “Most parents say they care about their children, their families, and the related unnecessary waste of their hard-earned taxdollars, more than all other political issues combined.”
Plaintiffs are seeking damages in all 50 states, bringing widespread attention to what they allege as years of disparate taxation and willful financial mismanagement. The coalition is comprised of various leaders from family rights, fathers rights, mothers rights, and shared parenting groups, as well as political candidates, doctors, and other activists committed to dramatic social, taxation, and government reform in the area of family law. The effort is also backed by several prominent family rights organizations.
“We’re trying to protect the right of all fit parents to share equally in the custody and care of their children,” says Howse. “The time has come for a drastic reform of government practices that harm children and parents.” “Kids need both parents,” adds Rachel Forrest, a leader with the Children’s Rights Council and the National Congress for Fathers and Children. “We hope that this landmark action will wake up the government and make it aware of the inequities in family courts and social services that prevent our children from having equal access to both of their parents.”
According to attorney Garrett C. Dailey, who successfully obtained a recent landmark California Supreme Court decision, “children of divorced parents who have two primary parents in their lives do better in school, are better adjusted and happier than children raised by only one primary parent.” Likewise, the American Psychological Association, the world’s largest such group, confirmed through an exhaustive study that children in joint custody arrangements have less behavior and emotional problems, higher self-esteem, better family relations, and better school performance than children who are subjected to sole custody arrangements. Agreeing in a decision long-touted by parental rights advocates, Judge Dorothy T. Beasley of the Georgia Court of Appeals ruled: “Inherent in the express public policy is a recognition of the child’s right to equal access and opportunity with both parents, the right to be guided and nurtured by both parents, the right to have major decisions made by the application of both parents’ wisdom, judgement and experience. The child does not forfeit these rights when the parents divorce.”
In addition to challenging standard practices pertaining to family law, the coalition also alleges that while nearly every state has recognized catastrophic budgetary failures, the states still recklessly refuse to consider the financial devastation involved with encouraging routine awards of sole custody, reminding that such patterns dramatically increase crime, poverty, drug use, suicides, dropouts, teenage pregnancies, and other forms of direct harm and costs against children, families, taxpayers, and society in general. Professor Stephen Baskerville, distinguished master of political science at Howard University, and one of the world’s foremost experts on various custody and child support issues, explains: “Politicians often spend money to avoid confronting problems. Yet marshaling the government to strengthen families seems especially pointless when it is government that weakened the family in the first place.”
The plaintiffs further allege that the relocation of children away from one parent radically increases the incidence of parental kidnappings, which dwarf all other types of kidnappings, and wastes additional taxdollars in the ensuing processes. An in-depth analysis, conducted in 1990 by the U.S. Department of Justice, confirmed that over 350,000 children were abducted that year by a family member - typically a parent involved in a custody dispute - while the number of stereotypical kidnappings of children for ransom amounted only to a few hundred nationwide.
The parents say that common inequities in state family courts are also directly and indirectly responsible for murders and suicides amongst the most estranged families. Every week, they note, approximately 300 fathers and 75 mothers commit suicide in this country, with the majority of these senseless deaths directly attributable to victimization by family courts. These suicides are often committed by passive parents, due to hopelessness in a system fraught with injustice, but the more aggressive parents occasionally snap at the weight of suffering such anguish, and violently take out their desperation on estranged partners, sometimes even murdering them, and possibly the children, before also killing themselves.
They also allege that the states are recklessly responsible for much of the abuse and neglect experienced by children in this country. The National Clearinghouse for Child Abuse and Neglect Information, a service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, consistently reports that, year after year, single parents are responsible for almost two-thirds of all substantiated cases of abuse and neglect committed against children - more than all other classes of perpetrators combined. The national costs of these child abuse and neglect incidents surpassed $94 billion in 2001, according to Prevent Child Abuse America. “It’s painfully obvious that the majority of child abuse can be easily prevented, by simply ensuring the regular presence of both parents in the daily lives of children,” notes Howse. “Involving the eyes and ears of both parents creates a naturally self-balancing situation, wherein a child’s health and safety is automatically monitored by opposing sides who stand to gain if the other side fails.”
The Plaintiffs further charge that because parents are generally treated unfairly in family courts, the results are also directly or indirectly responsible for very large, and otherwise unnecessary, additional tax burdens upon every citizen, through increased welfare spending and self-serving enlargement of state family agencies and entities, and that such inequities are also indirectly responsible for vast numbers of personal and corporate bankruptcies, which are absorbed into even more future taxation. Additionally, they note a pattern of fraud and abuse being progressively reported about various state family bureaucracies, which they say are very costly in terms of taxdollars, and which violate the rights of American citizens on an unprecedented scale.
“It is high time for costly government to get out of the lives of most parents and children,” says Howse. “American taxpayers should no longer be forced to fund systematic violations against parents and children, and the needless progressive destruction of our society.”
While the current class actions deal exclusively with conventional aspects of child custody, leaders of related parents groups report they have already begun the processes for raising similar legal challenges in the near future, on behalf of alleged victims of CPS, paternity fraud, and the progressive drugging of children in this nation.
For more information, contact:
Torm L. Howse
President, Indiana Civil Rights Council
president@indianacrc.org
In LA, contact: Ed Ward, MD, MT
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Comment by Angela — October 16, 2008 @ 1:26 pm
To all,
I am a retired Foster/Adopptive mom of 5 children who has been on both side of the DFCS. I addopted 4 children and now have 2 removed due to the DFCS neglect. I am tired of being scared of them. I am tired of no one wonting to help all the familys and children whom DFCS is supposed to be protecting. I am tired of the Juvanile Judges getting away with murdering our familys with no one to have to answer too. I am concedring tring to form a group of people in my area to decide where to go from here whether it be to march on washington,to go to the media, to tri a class action lawsuit, to picket the cort houses or all the above and more till we get help. Any one interested in helping me by doing the same in your county and surrounding countys please respond to me on here and title it Lets stop DFCS Any one in the Dalton/Calhoun/Chatsworth or Ringgold Ga area title yours North Ga area because thats the area I will be covering. Leave me your phone number or email adress and I will contact you. Thanks and may god bless us all and give us the help we need to save his children!
Comment by Angela — October 16, 2008 @ 2:52 pm
I’m writing in regards to a situation a bit different from most of you but I hope someone out there might be able to help me. I’m a licensed Home Daycare. I have been in this business for almost 17 years. I recently had a 21 month old fall off a ladder from swingset and get hurt. He had red marks and small bruises on his cheeks. He is fine tho THANKS GOODNESS but of course you know who had to step in. CPS and of course with me being licensed there are procedures I have to follow. I have done so. I have been thru hell and back since the first of August 08. I was made to close my doors for 2 weeks and by then I had lost all my business but 1 child due to them having to have a place to go. I have been treated by CPS like I was a criminal and that I had commited a horrific crime to this child. He simply fell off the ladder it was a accident and they knew but this particular CPS worker is known ( I have since found out) for being very aggressive and vindictive and out to make as much trouble for you that she can. I know of 1 daycare home she closed and another whom she made LOTS of trouble for. I know I am not alone whether it be in Oklahoma or other states. These CPS workers have got to be stopped!!!! WHether it be my situation or worse yet these babies being taken from there families. I’m very angry at CPS and how they have conducted this investigation. They sent me paperwork w/ 4 allegations but Licensing only 1 allegation against me. NOw come on someone screwed up once again. They need to clear those offices out and strongly and rightfully educate these pple in this situation. There is defintely a problem in OKlahoma w/ CPS and foster care. They have been under fire for MANY mistakes they have made and I feel like they are taking things out on us good providers. I even have my record for last 12 years showing good outcomes, no problems besides a few non compliances, small things such as no shot record on a child or pet. etc… My record speaks for itself along with ALL the pple that CPS talked to that stood beside me. She could find nothing on me but she sure has caused me my business and she is forcing me to get out of childcare because I physically, emotionally, finically cannot take anymore from these pple. I am a high school graduate but no other education besides what I recieved thru my years of childcare. I am unable to find work because of no experience for last 20 yrs. I guess I will be going back to school to retrain but this has caused me hardship in many ways. IT has taken a heavy toll on me and my whole family. If there is anyone out there that you know this has happened to please have them contact me. I am serioulsy thinking of doing what one other woman mentioned on here. Going to Washington, News stations, governors, our legislators something. THis has got to stop, they are ruining to many lives with there actions. I am alaw abiding citizen and I just shudder to think IF I had not been how I would have been treated. I also am wanting to get a similiar pagelike this one set up but about Licensed homes and centers. If your interested please contactme by e-mail. Snoopyblmobusi_be@yahoo.com. Thank you and GOD BLESS YOU ALL !!!
Christine L.
Comment by Christine Lenhart — October 16, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
Christine,
call your Governers office and tell them what you told us and they will tell you what office is over your CPS and you can file a complaint! I called my Governers Office and the lady there told me where to call. Hope that helps and I am so sorry for all you are going thru!
Comment by Angela — October 16, 2008 @ 5:31 pm
In ref. to “Lets stop DFCS”
anyone wonting to contact me regarding my earler post about forming a group in your area or the north georgia area to fight DFCS/CPS please email me at for_the_love_of_our_children@yahoo.com I set this email up just for this purpose!
God bless you all!
Comment by Angela — October 16, 2008 @ 5:53 pm
Angela,
I defintely intend to hun, I just sent you a e-mail. Thank you caring, I feel as no one does.
Comment by Christine Lenhart — October 16, 2008 @ 8:29 pm
Christine Lenhart, the problem is within DHS. Please do not ask anyone on here to give you information on how to ease DHS off in order for you to continue to run your daycare. DHS will only ease off if you comply with their terms. Every child in your daycare IS on record within DHS. Provide your service, if that’s how you make a living, but do not report any wages. DHS has overstepped their bounderies. You will hurt yourself and others by believing them. Daycare is a neccessity, but DHS takes full advantage of it. Do not listen to them. Stay away from them. DHS is far from what it was intended for.
Comment by daaronad — October 16, 2008 @ 8:38 pm
It is not that unusual, Christine. Did they file a Petition against you? Do you have a court date? What are they asking you to do? I am not sure what OK law is, in CA they have to prove all charges with “clear and convincing evidence†and sometimes self-justification can be used against you, if they have no evidence against you to start with (accident is not abuse) they may try to collect evidence from what you say to defend yourself.
If they cannot prove their case, it will eventually be dismissed, emphasis is on “eventually†and you may be able to speed that up by writing the suggested letters to the governor and to anyone else that represents you in local government and also on the federal level. OK has less bureaucracy than CA and more natives, are you a native? If so, can your Tribal Council help intervene? If you are any part native, you can remove the whole case to Tribal Council, a tribe would never try to keep a member from making money at a legitimate business.
When your case is dismissed, it will be your turn to sue them. Do so, for interfering with your business, it is a tort, you can file a claim in Superior Court, make sure you keep records of lost revenues, I can help, perhaps?
Comment by a.j. ovitsky — October 18, 2008 @ 7:11 pm
a.j.ovitsky,
my mom has a lot of Cherrokee in her does that make me part Tribal and can I get help from the Tribal Council? I live in Ga. Thanks for your help!
Comment by Angela — October 18, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
I would contact your tribe and see about becoming a member. There is a process to this. You must be recognized as a tribal member. You will or should (at least in NY) be given an identity card proving your status.
Don’t delay with this. Contact them immediately.
Comment by MaggieC — October 19, 2008 @ 5:18 am
I read just about everything I can get my hands on, but I have not read a noverl about the corrumption in the CPS, until now.
I you are intersted in reading a chapter that will blow up you mind read this,
http://www.fanstory.com/displaystory.jsp?id=234465
Copy to your URL address and hit the enter bottom.The sit down because you will not be able to stand it and you might want to throw-up. It is fiction, but very much reality. If you can, subscribe to the website (it’s free) and support writers that expose the scandal and corruption of our government.
Comment by Reader1000 — October 19, 2008 @ 9:36 am
Like so many others I have read about, our family is caught in the system. If anyone can offer any guidance, it would be greatly appreciated.
My brother’s common law wife (bipolar with schizophrenic tendencies), had a “breakdown” and left TX with their one year old son while she was pregnant with their second child (March 19, 2007). They had moved to TX for family support. He filed for emergency custody, but she was not able to be served. She remained in hiding until the children were taken into CPS custody in NV on January 23, 2008 (10 months later). Mom was initially charged with neglect that was later amended to mental incapacity. The children were 4months and 22months.
My brother received paperwork from NV on February 4, 2008 and contacted CPS immediately (This was when he found out that his second child was a little girl). He was initially charged with abandonment (based on mom’s story), but that was promptly dismissed. He has no charges against him (non offending parent). CPS required that paternity be confirmed via DNA (neither parent actually disputed that he was the father, though he was not on his daughter’s birth certificate because Mom had been in hiding when she was born). He asked what he need to do to get his children from CPS. It appeared that they were going to help him get his children, but that did not happen. Our family participated in the first two court hearing by phone (Feb 28, and March 20). An expedited ICPC was ordered on March 20, 2008, but was not properly initiated (it should have reached TX by April 4th, but didn’t arrive until Jun26th…and then did not come as expedited…CPS now has an unofficial copy, as it has still not made it through).
A new case worker was assigned after the March 20th court date. She basically told my brother that CPS’s goal was to reunite the children with the parent they were taken from and that my brother was not going to get his children. He told her that the mom was in violation of NV law (category D felony) by hiding them from him when the children were picked up. She had CPS charges against her and he had done nothing wrong. The case worker did not waiver and eventually stopped communicating with my brother.
The 6 month hearing was July 17, 2008. According the the report sent prior to court, CPS did not expect to return the children to the mother during the next 6 months. My brother and I were in court. He was reprimanded for not letting anyone know he would be there. He mentioned the inability to speak to the case worker. CPS was reprimanded for “taking sides” with the mom, contradicting what the medical professionals said about the mom’s ability to parent the children independently, excluding paternal family members as placement options because they were out of state, and a couple of other things. In the end, the mom’s attorney asked for a hearing to discuss placement at the 9 month mark, CPS struck my brother as a placement option in the next three months, and my brother was reestablish communication with CPS, and come back with any attorney, if possible.
Things were better after court. We sat down with the case worker, and in the end, she said she wished she had known all of this before court. Another caseworker was assigned the beginning of September. She seems very neutral.
The new report came in October and said that CPS would be requesting another 3 months. CPS stated that the mom may not ever be able to independently parent the children, as she still needed assistance during her weekly visits (3/wk for 2hrs each). She is not bonded well to the children. They believe they have exhausted all resources available and will use the next three months to identify other community resources that may help the mom improve her parenting ability. The report said that my brother could not be ruled in or out as a placement option because the ICPC was not complete (it was favorable from TX, and was emailed to the NV caseworker a week prior to court).
Our family drove to NV (my brother, our mother, our sister, and a niece). The family was allowed a 45 min visit the first day, 1 hr the next, and none over the weekend. Then 2hrs on Mon and Tuesday. On Wednesday, we had 7.5 hours and were to return the children to the foster home. We stayed there for about 1.5 hours (until bedtime). The foster family was very nice, and was very open about what they thought was in the best interests of the children (my brother). My brother’s son became hysterical when my brother attempted to put him to bed (it was very emotional). The foster parents said that he had never shown this kind of emotion. He had basically been “shut down” for the last 9 months.
October 16, 2008 was the most recent court date. The judge was not prepared when we all entered the courtroom. She said that my brother could not expect to just come in and take his kids home. She said that even if she ordered the children to be placed with him, there would be a transition period (remember that we are out of state…32 hours to drive). She said that this was only a review hearing and placement would not be determined that day but that a placement hearing could be set. The foster dad came to court to support my brother (he says he has never come to court to support another parent before, but that this was the right thing for him to do). We all left the courtroom. The parents and attorneys went back in a few minutes later and the judge said she was sorry and that today was supposed to be a placement hearing but that it had been set incorrectly on the docket. A new hearing will be set.
The current case worker says to just let the system work. When asked directly if she feels that mom will be ready for placement at the end of the three months being requested, she replied, “It would be a stretch.” She says she has to follow guidelines to protect the mother’s rights. It doesn’t matter that NV state law says that my brother has joint legal custody of his children, the children were taken from the mom and CPS’s goal is to reunite them with her. After the 1 year mark (Jan 22, court), if they are not returned to her they will be automatically placed with my brother.
Okay. I purposely did not include opinion above. I believe that we have reached a point beyond rediculous, but we do not know what to do. My brother has down nothing wrong and just wants his children. What will another 3 months away from him accomplish? How is that fair to him or the children? Are the protection of her rights more important than everyone else’s? Though I understand that CPS tries to return the children where they were taken from, remember that they were only ther because she was violating the father’s rights (parental abduction).
I’m sorry this is so long, but hope that someone can give some direction. Surely there is something that can be done. Thanks.
Comment by Brenda K. — October 19, 2008 @ 12:44 pm
You ask “what will anyother 3 months away form the children accomplish”
Well, nothing for your family (brother). It drives the time the kids have remained in foster care up to over 12 months. In OK at 12 moinths in state care (the same foster home), the foster parents get 1st choice to adopt with CPS blessings.
I’d like to say that father will “automatically” get them, but its not true.
With young children below school age, CPS is more likely to place with fosters permenantley as they bond so quickly at that age. Also, law in each state, says that a child with a foster for a certain established amount of time (differs in each state; some 9 months, some 12 and some more), has more bond with the kids than the family members, and therefore has adoption oppuruntities as not to disrupt the kids lives anymore.
Overcoming this obstacle is very difficult.
So the longer they can keep “dad” away from visits, the better chance they have of adopting out and recouing state funds spent on the kids over the duration of the case.
Comment by Cheryl — October 21, 2008 @ 12:10 pm
Can he PROOVE the parental abduction?
If his custody papers (decree) say that he has care and control from a specific date to a specific date, and the case was opened in between those dates, he may be able to proove that SHE did not have the kids with his blessings when they were taken.
This is a double edged sword, though. The state can come back on him hard saying that he had to have known that she had them wrongly, or that he knew she was mentally ill and should not have them. All kinds of things are easily turned around on him.
The worst case, is that the could drum up charges of neglect on your brother IF he plays this custody card.
It is illegal in most states to KNOW ABOUT ABUSE AND NEGLECT and not report it. This is how they get 2 parents out of the picture even when the other is an angel.
Bringing up his decree could force them to swing this direction so I’d advise spek to the attorney first.
Comment by Cheryl — October 21, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
Cheryl,
Thank you for your response. Our whole immediate family was in NV for the week preceeding the last court date (Oct 16). We visited with the children each day with times increasing to all day visits. The most lengthy visit was 9.5 hours with the last 1.5 hrs spent visiting with the foster parents (this was the day before court. They had been told that there was a chance at court the next day that the children might go home with their father.
The foster dad actually came to court to support my brother and was very upset that the children were not sent back to TX. He has been with the children for 9 months and saw the overwhelmingly strong bond between my brother and his son. The son has shown very little emotion in the past 9 months, until this week spent with my brother.
The caseworker said that the children would automatically be placed with my brother if the children were not placed with the mother at the 12 month hearing.
The foster parents have already called my brother to began video calls on Skype with the kids. They know how important it is that the kids SEE him when they talk.
Comment by Brenda K. — October 21, 2008 @ 2:02 pm
http://www.henrymakow.com
the un rights of the child is the most communist piece of legislation
ever to pass in Canada
and removes parents rights
and sets the cas in control of families
Comment by Robert for change — October 21, 2008 @ 3:57 pm
Cheryl,
They are not divorced. She fled when he made an appointment with mental health services in our area. They came to TX because they needed family support with the first child. Family members cared for the child while my brother was at work.
As far as custody, NV law says that married parents have joint legal custody unless there is a subsequent court order. NV law also says that it is a category D felony to hide children from the other parent with the purpose of depriving them of their parent and child relationship (She did this for 10 months until CPS stepped in). In TX it is NOT illegal to hide your children from the other parent (given the same circumstances).
When she went into hiding, my brother filed for temporary emergency custody of the first child (she was pregnant with the second). Attempts to serve her were made at the local women’s shelter (where she asked to go to the day she fled…the day before, she had called the police and asked to go to a shelter while she did NOT have the 1 year old with her), her mom’s home and one of her daughter’s homes (with the latter two being in two different states). He did not file for a divorce (he believed this was just a “break down”). Regardless, she was never served. The local judge is aware of what happened (but remember, it is not a crime to kidnap your own child in TX). The local judge also issued a mental health warrant for the mom (also never served because she fled). He also spoke to the NV caseworker (the first one) and confirmed all of this to her.
As far as them charging him with abuse, he immediately faxed copies of the police reports (from when she left), custody filing, and mental health documentation (to show that he was trying to help the mom at the time she fled) to the initial caseworker. She had said something similar to him about his responsibility in allowing her to remain unmedicated, but agreed that he was acting in her best interest at the time she left TX. They have all of this documentation.
My brother has weekly phone visits with the children on the same days that the mom shows up for her visits (3 days/wk), and now the foster parents are willing to increase visits with my brother (CPS approves). The mom visits are not consistent. In fact, she missed her visit the day after court.
Now we just don’t know what to do from this point.
Comment by Brenda K. — October 21, 2008 @ 4:01 pm
I have old cps records that I started against me ex husband over 16 years ago along with other people who witnessed my son being abused by his father. I was offered employment with the county of san diego. I was in background checks for 9 weeks. The background investigator told me cps records were holding up my case. I faxed a document dated 1992 from family court regarding a bruise on my sons head and the conversation with the metiator and csp supervior and social worker. The coversations states bruise on my sons head and he said his father hit him and my son told 2 teachers and the therepist the same story. CPS recommended that I have the custody in 1992. This document was faxed to the internal investigator and now I was denied employment because they are telling me that there are referrals against me before 1992. I do not know what they are talking about and most likely it is retaliation from my ex at the time. Further more why would CPS recommend me the custody in 1992 and believe any allegations whether they were substantial in inconclusive? This is so stupid to me and I need help here in san diego please. CPS just messed me up with a job and the market is so rough. I am on 69.00 a week unemployment and this is so unfair. I am so shocked on how corrupt CPS is. They did not protect my son 16 years ago. If I was determined that I was an abusive parent then CPS should not recommend me to have custody in 1992. Please e-mail back at mariayacoub@sbcglobal.net—thank you
Comment by Maria Yacoub — October 21, 2008 @ 6:53 pm
Maria, you need to write to your state capitol and request your files. In NY State, a record remains on filr until the youngest child in the household reaches the age of 28. I am not sure how California works but it is conceivable that a record would exist from 1992.
In NY, one has 90 days from the date one is notified that one is an indicated subject of a report to appeal.
I urge you to call Sacramento and to follow up with a request for your file. Do this by certified mail return receipt requested.
Comment by MaggieC — October 21, 2008 @ 8:14 pm
To elaborate on what Cheryl spoke of, ” The Bond Between the Child and the Parent.” If you fail to meet the criteria or adhere from it, it is taken as that you are not cooperating with them, even if you are, even if you see that you are and question DHS about “Why am I being sent to classes that have nothing to do with your initial report.” As long as you try to satisfy DHS, the better chances that you will lose. Every time you agree to attend more classes, the longer it is that the “BOND RULE” applies. It differs by state. But each state has a criteria, especially with younger children, that if your children have been seperated from you, about a year, that the “BOND” is broken. STOP talking to DHS. STOP trying to convince them that you are a good parent. DHS is not interested in that, at all. Every time that you agree to their reccomendations is an admittion of guilt. AND, they WILL use it against you.
Comment by daaronad — October 21, 2008 @ 8:24 pm
I have to agree with daaronad in that, it can all be used against you as an admission of guilt but it can be played another way.
I urge you to seek competent legal counsel.
There are safeguards in the law but CPS won’t tell you about them, a good lawyer will.
I am a little sketchy o nthis but I believe 12 months is the period -the end period wherein termination of parental rights can be sought by CPS.
Please-CPS is not your friend, an able attorney is your best shot.
Comment by MaggieC — October 21, 2008 @ 8:53 pm
Please do as daaronad and MaggieC say; find an able bodied attorney to advise you. Do not rely on the court ordered attorneys. Big mistake!
Their paycheck is guaranteed by the same court that took those babies from their father.
Do you see the conflict of interest now?
As you said, the caseworker has already made a coment about your brother “allowing her to remain unmedicated”. Can you see where this is going in Jan 2009?
I hate to say it, but I can. Been there, done that. I too thought that CPS was helping me even though I heard negative comments like that on occassion. I was soooooooooo wrong. When it finally came time for the custody hearing, all I heard in that courtroom was those kinds of comments directed to the judge, to keep me away from the kids. It all came to light right then and there. That was at the 1 year mark, also.
It took me a darn good attorney, over $10K in cash, a promise to sue and another 5 months at appeal, to get those kids back home.
What seemed harmless at the time, was used against the ENTIRE family at the final hearing.
Comment by Cheryl — October 22, 2008 @ 8:16 am
Competant legal council, means an attorney that works FOR you. I was told, off record of course, from one attorney that “We all are retained by DHS and we have to make a living in this town.” Do not waste your money on an attorney that tells you to wait and see what DHS’s next move is. Every case is different. I only wasted $4500 on an attorney. But, I spent an extra $30,000 learning the truth and standing up for my rights within the law. I brought my kids back home against ALL recommendations, because I learned the truth of how DHS works and abuses the law. I also learned that I can’t change the broken system by using their appeal process. There are people within DHS that retain morals. But, they are rare to find. Everyone who has been wronged by DHS should make a committment to change it. Even after your children are home. Even after your children are grown and have children of their own. Because, if DHS remains as it is, every child and family is subject to the same traumatic ordeal that I have been subjected to. I will not let it go. DHS is harmful and unscrupulous. Please, if you feel that your family has been wronged by DHS, do what you can to make a difference.
Comment by daaronad — October 22, 2008 @ 7:21 pm
Brenda / Cheryl
I once won a case (before CPS was around) and got custody of my child by getting a divorce…
In the divorce I was awarded custody so the case was then thrown out of court..
The way my attorney did it was he wrote up the divorce papers and we cornered my husband in the hallway of the courthouse and found a notary in the hallway..
If he can get the papers written up, take them to the mother (have a notary present) and have her sign them giving him custody..
I really don’t know if this will work in this day and age but it did work for me… 20+ years ago..
Or the other way is to have the divorce published in the paper but that takes longer and if you know where the mother is, it may not be legal..
This was a loop hole in the law that we found after a 6 month trial over my daughter.
Texas may go for it.. That’s where I live…
You must hire an outside attorney…
In my CPS case when they took my granddaughter, my attorney costed me $2500.00.
But fighting CPS took over $10,000.
They kept getting my kids fired from their jobs.. CPS told them in the beginning that they had to live with me then in court lied and said that was not allowed… Even though we had it in writing from CPS..
Our Judge, Judge Phillips never opened a file or looked at one piece of paper…
Also, CPS hates men… The Judge told my son-in-law that if he left my daughter he could gain custody since they didn’t have anything on him… That was at the 1st hearing… Off the record of course.
They immediately after that sent us papers stating that my son-in-law was found abusive and violent..
It was a outright lie!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Diando — October 23, 2008 @ 3:02 pm
A Mom’s Dying Wish is Denied
Did you know that your Will has no effect on what actually happens to your children?
Jennifer is involved in litigation in the Harris County, Houston, family law courts.
*Jennifer’s friend, *Debbie, was dying of cancer and Debbie’s husband, *Dennis, had several strokes and was an unmanaged diabetic. Debbie wanted to make certain her children were raised in a loving environment by either her half sister who stated repeatedly she could not do it or by Jennifer when it was determined her husband could no longer care for their children. Debbie discussed her wishes at length with her family and had two friends present when she signed the Will as witnesses in addition to the attorney who prepared her will, making her half sister the estate manager to have custody of their children, and if the half sister was not able to care for the children, Jennifer is listed in the Will as the person Debbie wanted to have custody of and to raise their children.
The children have a deep bond with Jennifer and when the older ones were toddlers even called her mom at times in front of Debbie and they would laugh about it. After Debbie’s death the children would tell Jennifer you are my mom now even after being in the care of paternal relatives for an extended period. Debbie knew her children would be loved and cared for, in the manner that Debbie would provide for her children had she not been dying of cancer. She knew that the Constitution gives a parent the right to direct the upbringing of their children, and Debbie had her directions written into a Legal Will.
Debbie died from cancer and the children were with their dad. Due to Dennis’ neglect and inability to care for the children, CPS put the children into foster care.
When the children were in CPS care, prior to Dennis’ death, Jennifer immediately came forward with the Will and the half sister, now in her 60’s, and presented Debbie’s dying wish for Jennifer to assume custody and control of her children. Debbie’s half sister is not able to care for these young active children, and the maternal family is aware of what Debbie wanted everyone to do with regard to the future of her children. Debbie died with the peace of knowing her children would be well cared for. She had no way of knowing that her directions would be ignored in a court of law.
Debbie made it very clear when discussing who would raise the children with numerous friends that she did not want her children to be raised by the paternal uncle, *Jim.
The Harris County Court gave custody of the children to Jim; the one person Debbie previously told several friends and her family also stated repeatedly that she did not want to have custody of her children. Jim was also heard stating ‘my wife is going to kill me’ as he left the courtroom after agreeing to take placement of the children. The paternal family did not get along and the children had very little exposure to them prior to being placed with them and this particular brother had stated a number of times he did not want to help with the children or his brother even though the children never should have been an issue for him to be concerned about. In fact, this was the second sibling of the father CPS placed the children with as the first sibling violated the placement agreement within 12 to 15 hours of placement by allowing the father unsupervised access to the children yet they risked placing the children with another paternal relative. When the children went to school after placement with the first paternal relative, one of the children told their teacher they were staying with an uncle but didn’t know his name.
Jennifer has hired several attorneys and has been denied due process. The children have been denied the loving care that their mother directed to Jennifer as she lay dying. Debbie, her children’s and Jennifer’s rights are being violated. Jim has another child with his wife and they clearly treat their own child far better then they treat Debbie’s children which was one of the things Debbie stated in her reasons for not wanting them to raise her children.
One judge instructed Jennifer’s first attorney to probate the Will. That attorney never did because CPS and the Ad Litem Attorney for the children said ‘Wills have no legal standing in Texas if they are involved’. Jennifer hired another attorney to represent her in an attempt to gain custody of the children because the medical and psychological abuse and neglect and physical abuse the children are subject to at their uncle’s house is detrimental to the children’s wellbeing..
Some say a legal Will is nothing more than the wishes of the deceased. Children are not property and the Will is considered to express Debbie’s dying wishes, and the courts refuse to consider Debbie’s dying directions in continuing to direct the upbringing of her children? Debbie wanted her children be raised by Jennifer.
The children are not adjusting to their new home, they are angry and not in any type of therapy to deal with the loss of both parents and subject to medical, physical and psychological abuse and neglect which is sufficient grounds to at the very least, investigate what is truly in the children’s best interest.
The children have asked if they can say where they want to live, have said they do not like their aunt and uncle and do not want to live with them and want to live with Jennifer if not have a minimum of visitation with Jennifer yet no one is listening or caring what they want or what is in their best interest.
From the time of Jennifer’s intervention in the CPS case the paternal uncle and his wife have made numerous false allegations about Jennifer yet no one has asked Jennifer about any of this and have automatically assumed what the paternal relatives have said to be true. Jennifer has been very diligent from the beginning of the case about documenting everything for her and the children’s protection and what has been said can easily be disproved.
The Judge has denied several motions filed by Jennifer’s attorney and she now has to hope the appeals court overturns the Judge’s decision; Jennifer is fighting a Goliath that she should not have to be fighting.
Did you know that your Will has no effect on what actually
happens to your children?
*Names have been changed to protect the children.
Comment by Diando — October 24, 2008 @ 6:46 am
Foster dad of alleged sex club victims arrested
June 20, 2008, 9:13PM
© 2008 The Associated Press
TYLER, Texas — A foster parent awarded custody of three young siblings allegedly forced into sex at swinger parties has been accused of sexually abusing a child in California in the 1990s.
John Orville Cantrell, 64, has been charged with sexual penetration of a person under 14 and lewd act upon a child, Marsha Johnson of the Solano County District Attorney’s Office in California said Friday.
The complaint against Cantrell was filed May 9 and stems from an alleged assault that occurred in 1991, she said. Cantrell was taken into custody Wednesday by Wood County authorities, and Johnson said she was waiting for extradition papers to be signed.
Texas Child Protective Services spokeswoman Shari Pulliam said Friday the agency is aware of the allegations, and that “it would be common for CPS to investigate this new development.”
Cantrell’s wife, Margie, told the Tyler Morning-Telegraph the accusations are in retaliation for their roles in helping build the case against Mineola Swinger’s Club, where children as young as 5 were allegedly taught to perform sex acts for an audience.
Margie Cantrell testified in a May trial that when she received custody of the three children, the two girls were oversexualized and the boy was angry. The children are now ages 12, 10 and 7.
“What John and I want to do is continue to seek justice for the kids in this case,” Margie Cantrell said. “And if we have to climb a few mountains to get there, it will be worth it. And at the end of all this, John will absolutely be proven innocent.”
Jury selection was set to begin Monday in the case against Patrick Kelly, the third alleged member of the swinger party to stand trial. His attorneys filed a motion Friday asking for a continuance to investigate the new allegations against Cantrell, who the motion says is a state witness.
Seven people have been charged for allegedly training children how to perform sex acts for an audience. The two defendants tried so far have both been convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Said John Cantrell about the three siblings after the first trial, “I’m going to love them like a father.”
Margie Cantrell has testified that she has adopted 27 children over the years. Pittman said the Cantrells are not a state-licensed foster care and that no CPS children are in the home. The couple is licensed through the Bair Foundation, a religious-based foster care organization, Pittman said.
A court hearing in California for Cantrell has been scheduled for July 7, Johnson said.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5849127.html
Comment by Diando — October 24, 2008 @ 8:24 am
WELL ME AND MY WIFE WILL JUST HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL OUR 12 YR OLD DAUGHTER TURNS 18 AGES OUT OF THE SYSTEM. THEY TOOK MY KIDS AWAY BUT PRAISE GOD THEY CAN NEVER EVER TAKE AWAY MY SALVATION FROM MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST PRAISE GOD!!!!
Comment by SCOTT A. — October 24, 2008 @ 11:22 am
looking for support groups in ft.worth texas or the parker county texas area yes cps is the gestapo alive and well again
Comment by steve driggers — October 24, 2008 @ 6:16 pm
looking for support groups parker county texas yes cps is the gestapo alive and well in 2008
Comment by steve driggers — October 24, 2008 @ 6:18 pm
Something else to think about, a marriage certificate is nothing more than a contract that you made with the state. By signing it, you agreed to to be held liable to the state laws, most of which you were, and are, unaware of. By signing that contract, you gave the state custody of your future children. The state allows you to raise them if all requirements are met. Marriage used to be a pact between the two individuals and God. Does the state have the right, or authority, to say who can get married? They require tests and screenings before a marriage licence is issued. If you have a certain type of disease, you are denied the permission to get married. BY THE STATE. When and where did the government get the right to deny and take away basic human rights? I missed it. But it does effect me and my family. I, defenitely, am not satisfied with the way that “OUR GOVERNMENT” is working for us. This was just my rantings. I feel that I have a reason to be upset. I will not be passive any longer.
Comment by daaronad — October 24, 2008 @ 10:06 pm
i tried the media it didn’t do no good I even went to the Governor office they went and called the security guard on me and told me not to come back even the IOWA Governor knows and he won/t do nothing about it Mr Culver is a big joke just like Vilsack the former Governor was a joke.
Comment by Terri Rote — October 25, 2008 @ 11:38 am
Scott, I believe in God as well but please don’t wait, get your child out of foster care.
Comment by MaggieC — October 25, 2008 @ 7:28 pm
daaronad, about marriage - I couldn’t agree more.
Comment by Linda — October 25, 2008 @ 10:02 pm
To Margie Meeks, and any other parents out there that have lost a child to the system…I am hoping to start an online support group for paretns that have unwillingly lost their children to adoption in this way…please contact me at dianna.murray@yahoo.com
Comment by Jane Doe — October 27, 2008 @ 4:00 pm
My daughter has been involved with CPS since May 19, 2008.My grandson was removed on this evening. My daughter is an alcoholic, she had a fight with her boyfriend and my grandson called 911 this was 4 days before CPS removed him. My daughter has been clean and sober for 5 monthshas not missed a visit, joined /family /drug Court and has been 100% compliant, we requested he moved from his placement as there was much drinking and verbal abuse, so he was put into a foster home with 4 other foster kids and has had no contact with my daughter in a week. We don’t know if he is okay or what he must be thinking (he’s 9) and the case worker called today to tell my daughter that she has been able to arrange a visit at the CPS center a week from Wednesday! She had threee visits a week and a nightly phone call to nothing. Phone calls are rarely returned the case worker will act concerned then do nothing and don’t get me started on the so called counselor we need help but don’t know where to start
Comment by Pam McAuley — October 27, 2008 @ 6:27 pm
Pam,
Depending upon your state, you may be able to file a separate action as a grandparent. I suggest you contact an attorney straight away-at least for a free consult.
Also, please try to get i ntouch with grandsplace.org
They may be able to help you i nyour standing as a grandparent.
As to your daughter, she needs to fight this as well. Does she have an attorney?
Fight this on both ends, yours as a grandparent and hers as a mother.
Comment by MaggieC — October 27, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
As hard and emotional that a seperation or divorce is on the parents, it is equally hard on the child. Do not “DO NOT” try to make the other parent seem bad to DHS. That’s how they operate. My ex has a child of her own, and in my opinion he would be better taken care of by a random drawing of REAL parents. However, I believe that he has a better chance of survival where he is at, rather than have DHS get their hands on him. I, mistakenly, asked DHS for help. I’ve learned from them. I’ve told them to not expect me to EVER help them. PLEASE, do not put your childs other parent down to DHS. DO NOT TRUST DHS. The people who work for DHS may seem to have good intentions, but the DHS system is very flawed. You have a better chance trusting the mafia. Please, DO NOT EVER TALK TO DHS. That is the first real mistake.
Comment by daaronad — October 27, 2008 @ 8:17 pm
As I sit and read the headlines on Kidjacked.com I become more frustrated and furious at the system, more then I usually am. There are so many truly and neglected children that never get “saved” by CPS and are eventually beaten and killed by thier families. Why isn’t CPS out investigating these people? Is it because the children are “bad” merchandise and could never be “sold”. Is it because they are so physically scarred and emotionally messed up that CPS couldn’t get their adoption money? It is sad to read over and over again about children who never got a chance to really grow up and experience life. My children made a good commodity because they weren’t abused, but loved and nurtured, and CPS could “sell” them for a healthy bounty. I am far from what CPS considers a “perfect parent”, but as a single mom I did everything I could do, what my children lacked financially, they had a lot more with love. Cps was made to protect children, but it seems like they let children who are truly abused die at the hands of their abusers, and children who are not abused are protected for “potential abuse”. Does anyone else see anything wrong with this picture? Halloween was one of our favorite holidays, we enjoyed it just as much as Christmas, but for the last three years no holiday seems fun, or worth celebrating. I wonder if on these holidays my children are thinking of me as much as I am thinking of them. It seems like it just keeps getting harder. I find myself counting down the days until my oldest turns 18, then the second then the third…. I don’t think my life will ever be “normal”, or happy again.
Comment by Kandice Cantrell — October 28, 2008 @ 6:48 am
Can someone please give me advise regarding placing my child in teh home of a relative so as not to allow her to end up in a foster home and so she will no longer be terrified of going to school then not coming home because cps showed up and stole her.
The charges have been deemed unfounded but the case is still open?
They want me to sign a release of info to speak with my doc to ensure I have not “relapsed” into prescription drugs.
I have documented medical conditions and have passed all u.a.’s.
The only thing I have not done is sign the release, only because it is never there when I go to sign and neither is the social worker.
Comment by Nicole — October 28, 2008 @ 10:51 am
My Name is Jacquelyn and I have dealt with CPS from both sides. I was the child abused and then I had my child snatched. My story starts off with a jealous relative telling lies. My mom said my child was being molested and she was not. I lost my daughter because of those lies and when the courts found out the truth, The Judge said my daughter could come home. Well no matter what I did the social worker refused to return my child to me. That was in 1993 when it started. My daughter was 3 years old. Now my daughter is going to be 19 and I still have no clue where she is…Riverside County STOLE MY DAUGHTER AND I WILL NEVER SEE HER AGAIN.
THank you for letting me vent. Any comments please reply to mrs_roberson@hotmail.com
It is an email to keep in contact with others like me God Bless you All
Comment by Jacquelyn Roberson — October 28, 2008 @ 3:17 pm
I HAVE JUST ONE THING TO SAY TO ERICA…..I AM A VERY GOOD MOM RIGHT NOW I AM RAISING A 10 YEAR OLD WHO HAS STRAIGHT A’S AND B’S AND 4 YEARS PERFECT ATTENDANCE…AND YES CPS CAME AND STOLE MY DAUGHTER DUE TO LIES…..SHE WAS MOLESTED ( MY MOM LIED)…AS PAPERWORK SHOWS ZERO SCARS MARKS OR TEARS…BUT SINCE THE CORTS REFUSE TO GIVE ME THE DOCUMENTS I HAVE A HAD TIME SUING RIVERSIDE COUNTY FOR DISCRIMANTION…SEE I AM A WHITE WOMAN WITH A WHITE DAUGHTER…TIL ONE DAY I DESIDE TO DATE OUT MY RACE AND MY BABY GIRL GETS TAKEN AWAY…I GET A VISIT WITH HER AND SHE WENT BACK TO HER FOSTER HOME WITH BRAIDS I WAS TOLD SHE WAS NOT BLACK…I WAS NEVER TO BRAID HER HAIR AGAIN….WHO THE HECK ARE YOU TO TELL ME HOW I CAN DO MY DAUGHTERS HAIR ….YOUR NOTHING BUT A RACIST SOCIAL WORKER WHO WANTED THE PRETTY BLONDE HAIR BLUE EYED LIL GIRL TO SELL OFF ….i am so sorry to all who have been through this as well you are all in my prayers
Comment by Jacquelyn Roberson — October 28, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
Kandice, even those of us have our children back, we are not the same. That’s why I’m here, and many other sites .I’m a single father who had been doing a fine job raising my girls for 10+ years, until DHS told me otherwise. They came in to our lives, practically destroyed it and left as soon as I stood up to them. My oldest daughter being raped, twice while I tried to cooperate with them, meant nothing to them. I am to blame, because I did not comply with their recommendations. That is always their excuse. I brought my children home, on my own, against DHS recommendations, because I learned the truth, too late, for my children. The damage has been done. Where is DHS now? In denial. They blame me for not cooperating with them. If only I would not have cooperated with them from the very beginning, my family would not have been traumatized as it was. And to have DHS blow it off,. The law protects DHS from recourse. I suggest that if any DHS employee talks to you, as a friend or otherwise, tell them that “Because you are a DHS employee, you are unwelcome, illegal, and goodbye.”
Comment by daaronad — October 28, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
Nicole, do not sign anything that DHS asks you to sign. By doing that you are playing into their hands. Every time that you go along with DHS, you are giving them information to use against you. You need to make a strong point to your child that he/she has no obligation to talk to DHS. Stop talking to DHS. Convince your child to tell DHS that no further communication will be conducted unless you are there. When you are there, tell them that you have NOTHING to say to them. Be polite and forward. Do not respond to them. They use intimidation as a tool. If you did something to get your child to be taken away from you, you would be in jail. The police are merely an intimidation factor when they are with DHS. The police do not need DHS to make an arrest, however, DHS uses the police, as intimidation, to get you to comply and bow down to their threats. Do not talk to DHS, at any time. Talk to the police, only if they are there with nothing to do with DHS. Your case is still open. STOP talking to them. Learn the law, research it. Make them file criminal charges against you. It takes the DA to do that. Get your children back by learning the law and stop allowing DHS to get away with felonies. DHS only gets away with taking your children if you allow them to. PLEASE, research the law and DHS. STOP talking to DHS. Protect your family from DHS. Do not be intimidated by DHS. If you go along with DHS, you are teaching your children to do the same. Wrong is wrong, and DHS capitalizes on it.
Comment by daaronad — October 28, 2008 @ 9:51 pm
Jacquelyn, please, be one of those who never forget, and continue to try to help save other families and children from going through the same ordeal. With DHS, it is rarely that we can save our own family from them, but we can ALWAYS try to forewarn other families about DHS. The more of us who tell our story, the more people will think before making the same, gullable mistakes that we did. #1 Never talk to DHS. DHS is a civil issue, not criminal. If it was criminal, the police would be there WITHOUT DHS. #2 #1 should say enough. #3 Take advice from those of us who have been through it. Do not learn the hard way.
Comment by daaronad — October 28, 2008 @ 10:10 pm
Iam Witherspoon, US Army Iraqi War Veteran and Civil Litigator and victim of these CPS Criminals. From all the cases I help with CPS has a significant Pattern and Practice 1st they Steal!your children,Then they Lie, to cover it up, Then they Murder,either your child or family lineage. Attorneys CAN NOT help you because of the BAR ass.if they do actually fight in your defense and irritate the Court they get dis-barred. Its up to you ONLY to educate yourself Read your Constitution and force them into Common Law. You need to File a Title 42 u.s.c.1983 Federal Action on them there is no other way. You can NOT get Justice in that Kangaroo Court because Justice is not or never will be present there. CPS Juvenile Court is NOT a court of Law! They only operate under Contract Law and if you contract with them by doing there services you are admitting to guilt.DO NOTHING THEY WANT!NO DEAL! WIC second 300 Pg.J their own codes state the services are provided and on a voluntary basis they cannot hold child in lou of ransom for services plus the services are a direct violation of your 4th and 5th Amendment Rights.you must also understand that Rights are not Statutory Privileges as they wish you to believe. Rights shall NOT be infringed upon.Social Wreckers have no Immunity,sue them!and their spouses too for aiding and abetting. If they make an allegation upon you DO NOT TRY TO explain yourself its not your place they must show cause of action. Most people just hang themselves when they try to explain it gives them more crap to twist on you.if they don’t have a Warrant they cannot take your children legally its kidnapping.CPS Juvenile Court is done in Civil Court they cannot fine or sentence you to prison all they do is steal your children.If you did indeed abuse or neglect your child which are criminal offenses you would be tried in criminal court facing prison. They do it for Title4 A-E funding they would lose all their “busness if they tried you in criminal court because they have no tangible evidence against you so they try you behind closed doors in Civil court and use preponderance of evidence which is 3rd level hearsay, its nothing but a bunch of reenforced self delusions on their part.Do Nothing they say! No contact! Record everything involving them and your children it will pay off in Federal court also recuse any Referees from the bench. A referee is nothing but a BAR member in a black robe they have no Oath of Office like a judge is supposed to they also cannot be held accountable by the judicial performance committee for all the felonies they commit against you family.civil code of procedure 17.1 and 17.6 is a recusal. Here is something for all you OHBAMA supporters Joe Biden his running Mate is a big supporter of VAWA and CAPTA wich allows CPS to steal your children and get that TITLE4 federal funding. Any question call me 626-817-1441
Comment by Julie — October 29, 2008 @ 2:34 am
Daarond:
Are you the Dad who had the criminal incident happen to your daughter while she was *incarcerated* in foster care?
Possibly from our great Midwest?
If you are this individual, DHS should be awarding a monetary settlement to you and yours. Especially your teen daughter.
I attribute much of teen rebelliousness to CPS’ malignant, uninformed, and interfering behavior, especially with families with teens.
CPS has made parenting teens MUCH MORE DANGEROUS.
Your advice should be heeded by all.
Thanks. F.
Comment by Fern — October 29, 2008 @ 5:26 am
Nicole,
PLEASE listen to Darrondad… DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING! Do not take their classes..
Don’t do their drug tests… Everything you do they make money off of..
If they know that they can’t make any money off of you and your child they will drop you like a hot potato..
Write up a letter stating that DHS/CPS doesn NOT have permission to talk to your daughter without your presence… Have it notarized and take it to the school.
My attorney filed Legal Guardianship papers for me to keep my granddaughter until she could go back to her parents.
It also protects her if they come back into my daughters life again.. They are supposed to by law, give her to me..
I say supposed to because nothing they do is legally correct…
Best wishes…
Comment by Diando — October 29, 2008 @ 11:36 am
ALWAYS REMEMBER ITS NOT FAMILY COURT. ITS FAMILY DESTRUCTION COURT!!! THEY NEED TO CALLIT WHAT IT IS.
Comment by SCOTT A. — October 29, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION HERE, use it. I carry a card, given to me by a foster parent who learned the the truth of DHS. My children carry it, and hopefully every parent that I gave a copy of this card has done the same. Make a wallet size card of this and distribute it. It states, ” NOTICE TO GOVERNMENT AGENTS: YOU ARE HEREBY INFORMED THAT I HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE MY PARENTS PRESENT PRIOR TO ANSWERING ANY QUESTIONS. I AM NOW EXERCISING THAT RIGHT AND REQUEST THAT YOU CONTACT MY PARENTS IMMEDIATELY.” Teach your your children to protect themselves. By law and DHS protocol, DHS is supposed to announce who they are, show a badge, and state why they are there. Teach your child to NEVER talk to them. Remember, DHS is a civil issue, not a criminal issue. DHS is just as corrupt as those who provide funding for it. That includes Title 7 and Title 9. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please remember it.
Comment by daaronad — October 29, 2008 @ 8:41 pm
Fern, many stories are similar when it involves DHS. I’m in Oklahoma. Oklahoma DHS is unbelievable, to me. But, so is almost every other state. The problem is within the federal government that gives the states the incentive to produce more needy children through DHS. “Ignorance is Bliss”, is true within America. I was happier thinking that DHS, actually, helped families. I did the research and learned the truth. My goal has changed from the basic American Dream to helping families to achieve their goals, without state and government interference.
Comment by daaronad — October 29, 2008 @ 9:09 pm
Dear Daaronad:
The story I cited came from Kansas, I believe ,and oncerned a female teen who was raped in FC.
The gentleman who tried to correct this matter with SRS was extremely vocal in the news media about what happened with his family.
Yes, I concur with your conclusions. I have personally know many teens who have been DESTROYED BY CPS.
Some of them had to leave high school early and may not have obtained even a GED.
Some have had things stolen in Group Homes and others have PERVERSELY NOT BEEN PLACED WITH FAMILY.
When this happens to teens, they are completely turned off by a *system* that rewards bad GROUP AND FOSTER HOMES.
Apparently in some East Coast states, children as young as 5 are PLACED IN GROUP HOMES.
Most of these children have families.
CPS has DEVOLVED INTO AN INDUSTRY THAT PROVIDES JOBS FOR THOSE WHO COULD BARELY FINISH COLLEGE.
Some true MSW’s do help children and families. However, those who work for CPS are CASEWORKERS, not trained MSW’s who have undergone much more rigorous education.
The CPS industry has been the spark to grow Family Courts and to encourage frivolous lawsuits.
No one who is innocent should speak to CPS. These folk will twist your innocent verbiage into something which needs treatment or correction.
I do not like to say this. However, families must be able to protect themselves.
CPS cries out for accontability, abolition of immunity and oversight.
Thanks for your passionate yet reasoned explanations of why folks must be extremely wary.
Thanks also to Diandro and Maggie for approaching CPS’ illegalities from different areas of deficiency.
Yes, folks are appearing on TV Court shows to expose the travesty of justice which CPS has become.
You can file in Court and if your story is an interesting one of the Judge shows might take up your case–and expose CPS to a national audience.
CPS operates with a classic business model which the Wall Street debacle has illustrated is one that cries out for REGULATION.
CPS NEEDS REGULATION AND JUSTICE DEMANDS THAT FAMILY COURT JUDGES MUST LISTEN.
Thanks to all of you who are spreading the word. Love your children. Remember they are worth much to CP$.
F.
Comment by Fern — October 30, 2008 @ 4:35 am
We sued the Aunt that called on my daughter on the Judge Judy show..
She was found guilty and we got $5,000.
She has not called CPS since..
My attorney informed me that she was consitantly calling.. Although she did not know that I had the baby.
When we got back from California, animal control showed up at my daughters house..
So, we are guessing that she did that too… Animals were fine..
Comment by Diando — October 30, 2008 @ 6:20 am
There’s no doggie CPS yet!
Comment by Diando — October 30, 2008 @ 6:26 am
I was lucky enough to find this sight, because I am very frustrated with the system.. I need to know my rights and if anyone can help me with the rights on 3rd party hearsay I would appreciate any advice.. I have had an open case for over a year going solely off of hearsay only.. All alledges were proven false, but some reason I can not shake these people.. Please… I go to court in Dec.. once again, and I want to have some knowledge under my belt, because I am just not satisfied with keeping this case open.. my kids have been home for a year now so why is my case still open… Something has got to give, because Im not satisfied with this! Thanks
Comment by Jlyn — October 30, 2008 @ 9:34 am
I just want to let every one know that there are some social workers who care for kids…But there are some who don’t just like Foster parents…
I had a great Foster parent who had over 200 foster children. But just remember one thing no matter if you lose your child or get them back , They will always be part of you. My daughter is the angel of my life and tho I was 18 when I had her and I am now 37. She taught me that I was a great mom in our 3 years together.
I think that my daughter was better off being adopted and when / if I see her again I will explain my actions to her. The system stole her and then took my rights but I was still Blessed by God to be her BIRTH MOTHER
Comment by Jacquelyn Roberson — October 30, 2008 @ 5:31 pm
Jlyn, is your case still open with criminal court or civil court? Please, take the time to read the last few months comments on this site. Civil court is family court, which is DHS’s best friend. If you are charged criminally, look up the your state law on what it takes to convict you of it. If not, look up your states DHS policies and see where they went wrong. You will learn much information. In Oklahoma, google OKDHS. Do not try to reason or bargain with DHS. My advice to all is to, even if you are already in the middle of it, STOP talking to DHS, RIGHT NOW. Anything that you signed with them, any classes that you are going to, directed by DHS. Stop, immediately. Do not let DHS intimadate you. Every time that you agree to their reccomendations, you are giving them just what they need to prove their point in court.
Comment by daaronad — October 30, 2008 @ 7:35 pm
(((Kandice Cantrell)))… my heart goes out to you… I too know how hard it was to wait for my two oldest daughters to have their eighteenth birthday. I waited almost ten years. I know one of these days soon I’ll have to write something about this on this site. There’s a lot of heartbreak… but believe me in this - we can get past this. We can be stronger women.. we can deal with the devastation and go on to live insightful, worthwhile lives.
Comment by Linda — October 31, 2008 @ 2:29 am
TO MAGGIE C. ME AND MY WIFE ALREADY TRIED TO GET OUR DAUGHTER OUT OF FOSTER CARE BY HIRING A LAWYER. BUT CPS DIDNT WANT US TO GET CUSTODY OF OUR DAUGHTER. OUR OLDER 21 YR OLD DAUGHTER EVEN TRIED TO GET FULL CUSTODY OF HER BUT THE SOCIAL WORKER SAID THAT OUR OLDER DAUGHTER CANT HANDLE ALL THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OUR YOUNGER DAUGHTER HAS WHAT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES SHE DOESNT HAVE ANY. THEY JUST SAY THAT TO KEEP HER ON THE DRUGS THAT THEY PUT HER ON I SURE WISH WE COULD HAVE A SAY ABOUT GETTING HER OFF THOSE DRUGS. WE STILL HAVE OUR PARENTAL RIGHTS BUT IT SURE DOESNT SEEM LIKE IT. THE COURT AND CPS DONT LISTEN TO ANY THING WE HAVE TO SAY. AND NOBODY ON MY SIDE OF THE FAMILY WANTS CUSTODY OF OUR DAUGHTER. THE ONLY OTHER ALTERNATIVE IS US GOING OVER TO THE FOSTER HOME AND GRABBING OUR DAUGHTER AND LEAVING THE STATE. BUT THAT WOULD ONLY GET US ARRESTED FOR KIDNAPPING. UNREAL!!! WHEN IT SHOULD BE THOSE IDIOT SOCIAL WORKERS AND JUDGES THAT SHOULD BE CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING!!!!! SO WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT WAIT TIL SHE TURNS 18.
Comment by SCOTT A. — October 31, 2008 @ 2:21 pm
THE SOCIAL WORKERS ARE FULL OF IT WHEN THEY TELL YOU THERES GOING TO BE A REUNIFICATOIN. WITH YOU AND YOUR KIDS THEY PLAYED THAT GAME WITH ME AND MY WIFE THEY TALKED ABOUT REUNIFICATION. AND IT NEVER HAPPENED. I ASKED THEM ABOUT REUNIFICATION SOMETIME AFTER. THAT AND THEY SAID THERE WASNT GOING TO BE A REUNIFICATION. NO REASON GIVEN AT ALL. BUT OF COURSE THEY DONT WANT REUNIFICATION BECAUSE THEN THEY WOULD LOSETHEIR JOB AND THEIR MEAL TICKET. ( OUR KIDS)
Comment by SCOTT A. — October 31, 2008 @ 2:34 pm
Jacquelyn Roberson, have you tried looking for your daughter on the Internet? Have you gone to the courthouse where she was born and looked at the birth certificate to see if it was changed? Sometimes you can find information about an adopted child by looking for signs of the microfilm being clipped and repaired before and after a certain certificate.
Comment by Linda — October 31, 2008 @ 2:53 pm
I went to the courts and asked for the file after she turned 18 I was told that because my right had been treminated I could not get anything.. My daughter is the only one who can get it …
Comment by Jacquelyn Roberson — October 31, 2008 @ 6:38 pm
Linda,
Thank you, I am “going on” with my life. I have been in school for a year. I am a Criminal Justice major. One more year and I will have my Associate’sDegree. I went back for my children. Even if I am never allowed to use my degree I want to know about the laws in order to help and protect other families. I just wish my children could see me graduate, and I see them graduate. The one thing they always encouraged me to do is go back to school and do something for me. I know that they would be proud of mommy. Even with court, therapy and everything that has been thrown at me this past year I have a GPA of 3.77. To me this is a person accomplishment to all those shrinks that testified in court that I was dumb and couldn’t be a parent because of my GED. When I graduate I plan to attend graduation with my head held high in memory of my children. We will celebrate when they return. I cannot allow myself to sit at home and be a shell, then CPS would have won. The last thing they want is an educated parent. The last time I saw my children I told them that I would be going back to school, so that they would have a better life, and I intend to do just that. In my heart I will always be connected to them. I just wish I could hold them, hug them and tell them how much I live them and how much the really mean to me. This sounds crazy, but to hear them fight and argue one more time would be pure joy to me. I miss the little things we used to do, to me they are sitll my babies. I wish I could see what they are turning into, my boys becoming a man and my daughter blossoming into a young woman. CPS stole this away from me. My third child will be turning 10 on December 2. My daughter 12, in January. My oldest just turned 13. I just need to know that they are ok and making the best out of the situation. I want them to know that they are and will always be my world, and that I think about them all the time. I want them to know that they are not forgotten, and that I did the best I could for them, and that I will never stop fighting for them. I want them to know that I did not give them up willingly. I too was a foster child I know the pain that they must be feeling, and how scared they are. I am now preparing for their future and they are welcome to stay with me as long as they want, I am sure they are unsure of their future because I am too. I will be pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree as well as my Master’s. Hopefully my education will save another family, I just wish I could have saved mine. Well I have started to cry again so I better go. Thank you again for your kind words, I know that I will get through this because I have to, I know that they wouldn’t want me to give up.
Comment by Kandice Cantrell — October 31, 2008 @ 7:56 pm
Linda,
Sorry about the grammar, I was tired and in a hurry. I don’t like my youngest to see me cry and when I write about my older children it makes me sad, and it hurts him too. I need to stay strong for him, because he does not understand all this. I don’t like to tell him much because he is too young to understand and I don’t want to upset him. I will tell him more when he is ready, for now all needs to know is that mommy hasn’t given up on hope or faith and that one day our family will be together again.
Comment by Kandice Cantrell — October 31, 2008 @ 8:00 pm
Jacqueline, I think that’s wrong. You might be able to get the case file with a court order but they would probably cross out any indications of where she was placed or any adoptive name.
Social workers often lie about whether parents are allowed, legally, to get CPS files.
Comment by Linda — October 31, 2008 @ 8:51 pm
Kandice… I’m so glad to hear you’re going ahead with your education. There is life beyond CPS… they may take the children but they can’t take our souls unless we let them.
Comment by Linda — October 31, 2008 @ 11:08 pm
man i just wish all the evil sociaworkers would all just ban together and commit suicide what a glorious day that would be!!!!@@@@#fing idiots!!!@##$#
Comment by scott a. — November 3, 2008 @ 2:16 pm