stolen-children « WordPress.com Tag Feed

Lost. Missing. Stolen.

jennyrain — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:43:17 +0000

Yesterday is definitely a day that I do not want to repeat.

The experience of losing and finding our sweet pug yesterday gave me a glimpse into some areas of life that normally would not have crossed the window of my awareness.

As John and I searched throughout the day, we were almost consumed with anxiety.

Twenty-four hours later, my body is still processing out the toxic anxiety hormones and adrenaline that kept me going yesterday. I awoke with a headache. I have to remind myself to unclench my shoulders and stop clenching my teeth.

The anxiety that we both felt gave us a heightened awareness of other families struggling with loss.

If what John and I experienced was even one-tenth of the anxiety, pain, and stress that families who have missing, lost, stolen, or runaway children must feel each day that they face without the return of their child – we all need to be on our knees daily praying for them, offering hands and hearts to be a lifeline of support and assistance.

John and I felt so incredibly supported by our communities. Throughout the day we received emails and calls letting us know that we were being prayed for and offers of assistance. Even though we were very much alone going through our experience, just knowing that there were others pulling for us bolstered our confidence and encouraged us to keep looking.

I think about the families who have been looking for children for weeks, months, years. They face this stress every day, many times support for their search has long disappeared, but yet they press on in hope.

May our prayers continually be with these families and may our hearts and hands be willing to help.

I learned that there is a power in community that is unparalleled in our society – yet I so often forget that community is there.

We are designed to function in community. We function best in community. Community is a force that can move mountains that we could not move alone.

I learned yesterday not to underestimate the power of community and to remember to allow the community into my life to help me in my time of need.

For those families who feel alone in their search for loved ones… may you have a community step up to link arms with you in your search. May that community never weary as they seek to show you kindness, love and support.

We learned never to underestimate the creative energies of children.

It was our local elementary school that enabled us to find our pug. My husband waited all day for the school to let out and then passed flyers out to each child for their walk home.

When I inquired as to the usefulness of this tactic, John responded, “Children have not been jaded by the world. They still want to help others. Kids see things with a purer eye and so they notice things that we adults might not.”

John was right.

It was the kids who had seen our neighbor post a flyer on the mailbox earlier in the day. Within five minutes of handing out our flyer, they had connected it to our neighbor’s flyer and we found our dog (who had been hanging out at our sweet neighbor’s house all day… eating doggie food and chewing on a pigs ear… such is the life of a pampered puggie).

The beautiful innocence of each child we encountered helped me to understand the depth of suffering and loss families who have lost a child must feel… this characteristic of children is incomparable. May you feel the love of others around you who see the value of your child and can offer a supportive word, shoulder to cry on, or comforting presence in your pain.

There are two stories that kept me company as I searched yesterday.

The first was about a Shepherd who had one-hundred sheep. When one strayed, this Shepherd left the flock and searched and searched until he found what was missing. It was so comforting for me to remember that God sees and cares for very deeply those who are missing. As I walked I wondered if God felt the same anxiety I felt over the missing?

The second was about children who came to Jesus to touch Him. The apostles were critical and devalued the children’s desire to connect. Christ, however, exalted the efforts of each child and reminded His apostles that, “the kingdom of God belongs to such as these…anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Children are so valuable to God… they have His heart and He is not ashamed to admit it.

If you are dealing with loss this Christmas…

I cannot even imagine the pain and suffering that you must be going through if you are dealing with the loss of a child. I will not claim to understand. I pray that your story has a happy, redemptive ending. I pray that you find your child again and have many long and wonderful years to spend with them. I pray that you have a stalwart of community support that is long-suffering and encouraging with you. I pray that you have days of release from your anxiety. And though I may never know you, know this… I pray… because I now know you exist, that you are suffering, and that is something – though it is small – that I can offer.

For the LORD will ransom Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. Jeremiah 31.11, 13

What to Do When Falsely Accused of Abuse

yvonnemason — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:07:06 +0000

House Searches Require a Warrent

yvonnemason — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:02:38 +0000

Refusing Police Entry to your home

yvonnemason — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:58:57 +0000

Jackson County Georgia Department of Family and Children Services Conitues to try and Buy and Sell These Children

yvonnemason — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:13:47 +0000

These Are the Children Jackson County Georgia is Trying to Buy and Sell

Last week Samantha had to go before a panel in Jackson County, Georgia. This panel was comprised of Elizabeth Patrick the superivsor of Jackson County, Ga. DFCS and D. M. Brandon of COSA. Along with others.

The job of this panel was set up to emotionally abuse my daughter Samantha even more. Now for those of you who have no idea what happens when someone loses their children, they are not allowed to face their accusers, they are not allowed to see the charges and they are not allowed to present their witnesses either in court or in front of this kangaroo panel. The parent can been threatned, insulted and verbally abused and they can’t do anything about it.

When Samantha was in front of this panel Rebecca Boles from COSA told Samantha that it was time she signed over her rights as a parent to basicly the three girls could be sold to an adoptive family for the sum of roughly $18,000.00 per the Adoptin and Safe Families Act.

To add to the abuse of Samantha, DFCS is trying to force her to take meds for a bi polar disorder which she doesn’t have. None of these people are qualifed to make that kind of decision. They don’t understand that our family is very drug sensitive and drugs affect us differently than most people. Samantha has told them the drugs make her like a zombie. This is just another trick to keep her from being on her toes to fight the injustice and the crimes DFCS is trying to perpatrate on her. They figure if she is drugged up then she will sign over her children. That is not going to happen.

Diedra Shands who is an advocate for the children sat in that room and never opened her mouth. Stephanie Smith Samantha’s case worker dropped her head and remained silent as well. These two women have been part of the abuse of Samantha since day one along with Rebeeca Boles and the entire office of Jackson County Georgia DFCS.

I have written four letters to Judge Guidry who is the Family Court Judge in Samantha’s defense and he hasn’t even had the professional courtesty to respond. When she went to court she had witnesses there to speak on her behalf and Diedra Shands asked the Judge not to allow them in the courtroom.

The day of the panel the Foster Mother Donna Webb brought Samantha’s girls and the little one who is five refused to have anything to do with her mother. This is abuse in it’s simplest and worst form. The state is the abuser. The foster mother is not far behind. She was told by Deidra and Rebecca that the children would be up for adoption. To add insult to injury Samantha’s lawyer was not there to watch her back. I have no idea where he was. He is becoming part of the problem as well. He doesn’t return emails or phone calls.

When Samantha went in front of the panel she was told that her oldest childest Shawna had been put on Ritlin as well as another mind altering drug simply because the foster mother didn’t want to deal with her. Sam was never notified. Again abuse. Shawna has never been tested by a psychologist who speicilizes in children with disiblities. It was prescribed by a regular doctor. They are going to not only retard her brain, but break her spirit as well. Again the abuse continues.

This is just the beginning. My next blog will be about all the letters I have sent out to Gov. Sonny Perdue, the senator for that district, all the TV stations in Atlanta and the newspapers. It is time for the abuse to come to a halt. It is time for DFCS to learn they have no right to steal children and then sell them to the highest bidder. They can’t continue to make their payroll on the backs of poor women.

Not only is Samantha being abused by DFCS her children are too. They are being denined their mother and a quality of life they are entitled to with her. They are being denined the love of their mother. They are being rasied by strangers who could care less about them. All they want is the money they will receive if they adopt them which comes to between 500-700.00 per month per child until they are 18 years old again this is thanks to the Adoption and Safe Famlies Act which was Signed into law by William Jefferson Clinton when he was in the White House.

This is more than a tragedy it is a travesty. It should be criminal. Even rapist and murders are allowed to face their accusers. They can’t hide behind the clock of anninimity – It is time to make DFCS face the fact that they have no right to do this to women who have children and who are poor or abused by their partners.

IT is time to fight back

The Effects of ASFA

yvonnemason — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:14:26 +0000

The Effects of ASFA

(Adoptions and Safe Families Act)

Babies are Hot Adoption Commodities

Summarized by Charlie Wittman,
Director, TheACF

Social Services are Taking Children From Loving Homes

The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), was developed and passed to deal with child abuse and is sometimes called the Mondale Act. The publicity of child abuse in 1974 resulted in the passage of CAPTA, which was justly passed to protect children. The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) was enacted in 1997/8 to deal with a problem created by CAPTA.

The majority of children taken for alleged child abuse are from low-income parents who can ill afford a lawyer. Only half of the children taken ever get returned home even though the law is clear that the primary goal is to keep children in the home with support services.

Where do all of the seized children go? The babies taken are easily placed in foster homes or adopted, while the teens languish in foster care until they are released at the age of 18 years. ASFA created a situation in which the states and counties are paid a per-head bonus to take children from defenseless families such as low-income families and sell the children into adoption.

ASFA started a bonus program for placing a child in adoption to cut down on teens stuck in foster care. The bonuses are from four to six thousand dollars for each child adopted over a set federal baseline, which is based upon the number of children who were adopted before the ASFA went into effect. Once this bonus was established, the number of babies adopted doubled even though it was set up to help teens.

ASFA also decreased the time to reunify with children under the age of four years to 6 months. Now the older children of many families are returned home, but the babies are lost forever to adoption, putting money into the general funds of counties or states to use for whatever they want.

The pool of adoptable foster youth has become older with the ongoing years. People want to adopt babies and young children, who adjust better; therefore, the age of the foster youth remaining in the adoption pool gets older with time. The number of adoptions almost doubled after ASFA was enacted with currently approximately 55% of the total children adopted in the US being between ages 0 to 5 years old and 30% of the adopted children between 5 to 10 years old, causing the aging of the adoptive population of children. The young children are getting adopted out, and the older ones remain in foster care.

Many parents in Santa Clara County California who had a baby and older children were told in confidential mediations that if they gave up their babies for adoption, they could have their older children back. The bottom line is ASFA did not resolve the problem it was created to resolve, and, instead, it created a new problem by taking so many babies from their parents.

ASFA created an adoption program that takes babies for money. It amounts to human trafficking in babies. For prospective adoptive parents, this seems like an advantage because the pool of adoptable babies is very limited. But if you’re a low-income parent who get caught in the sights of the agencies whose role is supposed to be to protect children, you very well stand to lose your infant—no matter what you do. This happens on a huge scale across the US.

In years past, there were problems with children being reunified into abusive families. While older children may be returned to questionable parents, babies are virtually always taken.

There are a disproportionate number of children of color taken and the children of the poor. Families should receive in home services to keep the children safe, but instead the counties take the children into custody to get federal funding. Reasonable efforts to keep children safe in their homes gave way in favor of foster care.

The social services agencies recommend and courts approve a psychological evaluation for almost every parent to determine if the parent will benefit from reunification services. Given that the tool used for this is the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) and extremely arbitrary, every parent has some type of “disorder.” Most anyone who has their children taken from them will have a “disorder” under the DSM. Many if not all of the psychological evaluations of parents in California are not legal and are based at best on arbitrary and flawed non-science.

Further, all this is done in the juvenile dependency court, which is to say, behind secret, closed courthouse doors. It is an entirely secret process, hidden from public scrutiny – except the one family whose case is being heard. The law forbids the families from discussing their cases with one another. So not only do they lose their children, but they can’t tell anyone about it.

The following is a compilation of data from the Internet about adoption and foster care. Richard Wexler of NCCPR does a good analysis of ASFA and the problems.

Take the Child and Run: Tales From the Age of ASFA – Richard Wexler
Family Preservation and Adoption – NCCPR
Current Adoption Data – Federal DHHS/ACF Summary
Current National Trends – Federal DHHS/ACF Summary
Adoption Totals increase by state – 1995-2004 DHHS/ACF
Children waiting to be adopted – 1999-2004
Adoption tables by state based on age at adoption – 1999-2004, DHHS/ACF

We hope this brief summary of the reports and data will help the readers understand the trends, which have created the taking of young children from the poor and less fortunate. This could be slowed down and stopped with legislation making it mandatory to provide reasonable services or any services in the home of parents and children rather than taking these children from parents just because they are poor.

The children taken are extremely traumatized by the system that is charged with providing assistance to them. Parents are arbitrarily diagnosed with a mental disorders by a flawed and illegal system. There are abused children that need our help and should perhaps be placed in foster care but not at on the scale we are currently seeing, please help.

ANYBODY WANT TO BUY A KID? DRUGS INCLUDED

lawdoll — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:11:54 +0000

Austin Knightly was stolen by NH DCYF and is now up for sale.

A MESSAGE FROM AUSTINS GRANDPARENTS:

This is a picture of our grandson Austin, which DCYF had taken to look for adoptive parents, even though we were told not to worry about a thing. That the worker was advocating for Austin to be placed in our home, where we would have custody of him before adopting him. Just another lie by the almighty DCYF. After many made up excuses, we were denied placement, even though Austin spent the first three years of his life with us and the next three years visiting us every day, where he also staid weekends. Austin is now considered “Special Needs”, since being taken from his mother by DCYF and is on psychiatric medication. He has suffered dearly and tried to hang himself when first placed in foster care. All he wants is his grandfather, but all DCYF wants is money. Being special needs and on psychiatric medication, makes Austin worth more to DCYF. If he is not returned, I fear the next time he try’s to commit suicide, he will succeed. We will never give up on our grandson, illegally taken by DCYF and kept from us through illegal practices. Austin we love you.

http://www.flds.ws/2009/07/06/anybody-want-to-buy-a-kid-drugs-included/

Austin Doped Out of His Mind By CPS

A Closer Look

His Eyes Can't Even Focus!!!!!!

Description:

This is a picture of Austin at St. Charles Childrens Home in Rochester, NH, doped up on Adderol, which his mother never agreed to, before her rights were terminated.

Even when parents refuse to have their children taken out of state by the foster strangers or put on drugs, the Judge court orders it any way. Parents have no say once DCYF is thrown into their lives. These kids are angry, being taken away from their families.

They have good reason to be. Drugging them does not heal the pain, but the state doesn’t know how to deal with the mess theyv’e made.

This is how the State handles children taken from their families. The State knows nothing about bringing up children. They drug them so the kids can’t fight back and turn them into robots and zombies.

They tell them they no longer have parents. These poor kids feel like they’ve been disowned and their not loved or wanted, when in all reality they are very much loved and wanted by their families they were stolen from due to the decitful practices of DCYF.

Austin, you do have a Mommy who loves you and always will. Grampie and I will fight for your return for as long as it takes. We love you with all our hearts and so does the rest of your family. Don’t worry buddy, you will come home, before your eighteen!

WMUR took the first picture off, because someone who said they were the mother called and wanted the picture off. I know it wasn’t Austin’s mother, but I do have an idea who did call. I guess the truth really hurts as to the children taken and drugged by DCYF!

So please let everyone know Austin’s picture and story is back. Comment and let the State know how you feel about the drugging of children in foster care.

Adderall

Generic Name: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (am FET a meen and DEX troe am FET a meen)
Brand Names: Adderall, Adderall XR

What is Adderall?

Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant. It affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.

Adderall is used to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Adderall may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Adderall

Do not take Adderall if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take Adderall before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, or if you have hardened arteries (arteriosclerosis), heart disease, moderate to severe high blood pressure (hypertension), overactive thyroid, glaucoma, severe anxiety or agitation, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction. Some stimulants have caused sudden death in children and adolescents with serious heart problems or congenital heart defects. Before taking Adderall, tell your doctor if you have any type of heart problems.

Long-term use of this medicine can slow a child’s growth. Tell your doctor if the child using Adderall is not growing or gaining weight properly.

Adderall is a drug of abuse and may be habit-forming. Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. You should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription. Using this medication improperly can cause death or serious side effects on the heart.

Before taking Adderall

Do not use Adderall if you are allergic to amphetamine and dextroamphetamine or if you have:

heart disease or moderate to severe high blood pressure (hypertension);
arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries);
overactive thyroid;
glaucoma;
severe anxiety, tension, or agitation; or
if you have a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

Some stimulants have caused sudden death in children and adolescents with serious heart problems or congenital heart defects.

Before using Adderall, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

a congenital heart defect;
high blood pressure;
heart failure, heart rhythm disorder, or recent heart attack;
a personal or family history of mental illness, psychotic disorder, bipolar illness, depression, or suicide attempt;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette’s syndrome.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Adderall.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. It could also cause premature birth, low birth weight, or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes Adderall during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Adderall without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Long-term use of Adderall can slow a child’s growth. Tell your doctor if the child using Adderall is not growing or gaining weight properly.

How should I take Adderall?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from Adderall.

Take this medication with a full glass of water. Do not crush, chew, break, or open an Adderall extended-release capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

To be sure Adderall is helping your condition, your doctor will need to see you on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Adderall.

Store Adderall at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Adderall is a drug of abuse and may be habit-forming. Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. You should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription. Using Adderall improperly can cause death or serious side effects on the heart.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, or if it is already evening, skip the missed dose and take the medicine the next morning. Taking this medicine late in the day can cause sleep problems. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of Adderall can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include restlessness, tremor, muscle twitches, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, aggressiveness, unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine. These symptoms may be followed by depression and tiredness. Other overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, uneven heartbeats, feeling light-headed, fainting, seizure (convulsions), or coma.

What should I avoid while taking Adderall?

Adderall can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Do not take Adderall late in the day. A dose taken too late in the day can cause sleep problems (insomnia).

Avoid drinking fruit juices or taking vitamin C at the same time you take Adderall. These can make your body absorb less of the medicine.

Adderall side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Adderall and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
feeling light-headed, fainting;
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure); or
tremor, restlessness, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or motor tics (muscle twitches).

Less serious Adderall side effects may include:

headache or dizziness;
sleep problems (insomnia);
dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth;
diarrhea, constipation;
loss of appetite, weight loss; or
loss of interest in sex, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Adderall?

Before taking Adderall, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

blood pressure medications;
a diuretic (water pill);
cold or allergy medicines (antihistamines);
acetazolamide (Diamox);
chlorpromazine (Thorazine);
ethosuximide (Zarontin);
guanethidine (Ismelin);
haloperidol (Haldol);
lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
methenamine (Hiprex, Mandelamine, Urex);
phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet);
reserpine;
sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer); or
antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Ascendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), or nortriptyline (Pamelor).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Adderall. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Adderall.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Adderall only for the indication prescribed
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. (‘Multum’) is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum’s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum’s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

LEGALIZED KIDNAPPING

lawdoll — Sat, 02 May 2009 02:03:52 +0000

Child Protective Services & the Business of ‘Legalized Kidnapping’

http://bhonline.org/blog/?p=548

Posted by: BHblog

Parents Fight to Retrieve Their Children

by Adeeba Folami

DENVER – The suffering endured by Africans who were kidnapped from their native land and brought to America as slaves is sometimes referred to as the Black holocaust, which some say ended years ago but, that is not the case according to parents who have had their children taken from them by the Denver Department of Human Service (DDHS) or the Adams County Social Service Department (ACSSD). Jo Nash-Conner’s son Quentin, 10, currently resides at Mount St. Vincents Children’s Home (MSVCH), a facility which proclaims to provide programs and services to “help children with a wide range of emotional and behavioral problems.”

Nash-Conner, however, has not found the center to be helpful and instead has been disallowed from visiting her son and has not seen him since February.

The mother’s horror story began just over a year ago and is outlined in a typed statement entitled “A Declaration and A Desperate Mother’s Cry for Justice.”

Jo Nash-Conner holds a 2-year-old photo in which she is pictured with her son Quentin who was taken from her last year. She has not been allowed to see him for several weeks and calls the legalized kidnapping of CPS “modern day slavery” and a holocaust. (photos: Dakari Martin)

“My 10-year-old son was kidnapped by the Child Protective Services (CPS) Department of DDHS on March 20, 2008,” she said. “My then 9-year-old son had walked away from our home on March 19, 2008 and was returned that evening by the Denver Police. I was informed that we would need to report to CPS for questioning the next day.”

So began the long journey which saw Quentin placed into two foster homes, the mental ward of Denver Health Medical Center (DHMC), back to a foster home, then to the Tennyson Home for Children (THC), the Ft. Logan Mental Hospital (FLMH), MSVCH, Children’s Hospital, back to Ft. Logan and then once again to MSVCH, where he is now. “All of this happened or is happening without my consent,” reads Nash-Conner’s statement. In an interview from her home, she explained she was originally charged with child abuse based on a CPS worker’s claim that marks were found on Quentin’s back and also that police said the boy accused his mother of hitting him.

Nash-Conner adamantly denied laying hands on her son and days later the charge was reduced to “wrongs to a child,” an offense she had no familiarity with nor could define.

Five months later, that charge was dropped and the case closed, yet her son remains out of her custody and under the influence of several behavior-altering drugs which have been administered to him more than one year without her permission. They include Thorazine-which performs a chemical lobotomy; Depokote; Seroquel; Clonidine; Abilify; Ritalin and others.

Human rights commission involvement

Mark Carberry, a Case Documenter for the Citizen Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) said the organization’s investigation and review of medical records led them to file approximately 16 complaints regarding Quentin’s treatment and care. Four of those grievances pertained to DHMC; one each to THC and FLMH and a shocking ten complaints filed against MSVCH. Carberry said the first complaint was filed last June and the final one in January, citing not only concerns over the appearance of excessive drugging but that Quentin was taken to hospital emergency rooms three times; that his IQ decreased 19% from its 2004 level; that at MSVCH he had “therapeutic physical management” or “restraint” administered against him at least 41 times in less than a three month period. “He is a small, 10-year-old boy; at that time 4′6” and 82 pounds,” Carberry said, adding that the home’s records did not indicate the exact type of restraint the boy was subjected to. “They don’t say that somebody was sitting on his chest or back or if he was thrown down by three people,”

He went on to say that Quentin, during that time, was daily prescribed 750 mgs of Depokote, 10 mgs Abilify, 1 mg Clonidine, 100 mgs Docusate Sodium and 800 mgs Seroquel. “These cause aggressive and psychotic behaviors,” he said in his complaint. In her home, Nash-Conner pulled out her pocket sized Physician’s Desk Reference manual and opened to the page describing Seroquel. “Doses of 800 mgs or more per day have not been tested for safety,” the book reads. Her son’s vision, she said, was 20/20 before his nightmare began but now he is wearing bifocals and Carberry said it’s a likely result of the drugs being given since many of them list side effects that pertain to impaired vision.

Quentin’s mother broke down in tears while describing the painful ordeal and as an army veteran, she is angered that her family has been torn apart in a country for which she served. “I gave ten and one-half years of my life for this country and this kidnapping and drugging of my child is my thank you.”

One couple’s nightmare and loss of 3 children

With her were Samantha Goodson and her husband DeAndre Rogers-El, both 20 and parents to a newborn daughter, Ela-yuh, who has been in custody of ACSSD since her birth Apr. 8. The pair’s other children, Anyla, 2 and Brooklyn, 1, are in custody of DDHS and assigned to live in the home of the ex-girlfriend of Rogers-El’s mother. The young couple, who relocated from New York two years ago are very frustrated that their children have been taken from them based on allegations they say have nothing to do with child abuse. According to an Adams County court petition, the Denver case was opened due to the parents “being homeless and having their son with them on the street.” Also, reports were called in claiming the pair would drop their oldest daughter off with the grandmother and leave her. But Goodson and Rogers-El deny the allegation and say DDHS and ACSSD have used deception and underhanded tactics to build a fraudulent case against them.

DeAndre Rogers-El (l) and Samantha Goodson (r ) are in a battle for the return of their 3 children. Initially compliant, they now are refusing to be treated like criminals required to undergo mental evaluations, classes and urinalysis testing. A caseworker, this week, expressed his uncertainty that it was “appropriate” for them to be present with their 2-week-old daughter when she undergoes medical treatments they never approved but which were authorized by a judge.

They acknowledge having some trouble securing housing and temporarily moved in with Nash-Conner who gladly opened her home after meeting them at the weekly marches held outside DDHS offices near 12th and Federal Blvd. In late April, they moved into their own apartment; a step which should bring them closer to getting their children back, since another charge in the court document is that the couple showed “inability to provide stable housing and a safe environment for their children.”

While being interviewed, their caseworker called Nash-Conner’s home several times, initially telling them their baby was in the hospital and seeking their permission to allow surgery to correct the newborn’s club feet. Goodson expressed concerns that the medical personnel intended to break her child’s legs and felt it was too early to talk about surgery. Rogers-El told the caseworker he did not give permission for any procedures to be performed on his daughter, who had been brought in by the foster family that has cared for her since the day she was born. The caseworker said if the couple did not give permission, he would get it from the courts and later called back saying he had secured a judge’s order to proceed with treatments and that the child would be fitted for a cast that day and scheduled for surgery within nine weeks.

When pressed for more information, the caseworker revealed that the judge’s approval had been given that morning which led the couple to conclude that he had been dishonest with them by calling in the afternoon seeking their approval for something he knew a judge had already signed for. What was more puzzling to Rogers-El was that he and his wife had a custody hearing scheduled the following week at which the same judge who approved the surgery, was to decide whether to return their baby to them. He wondered aloud whether the decision had already been made, and not in his and Goodson’s favor.

Ela-yuh’s mother is still recovering from the C-section she had and described how she was kicked out of the hospital hours after the birth and before the foster parents came to take her baby away. “They told me I had to leave and I couldn’t see who was taking [the baby]. They made me sit in a room where security was sitting outside and made me stay there until she left. Then they put me out of the hospital,” she explained. “I wasn’t healed. I came home with tape on my stomach with an open wound.” She said she was never offered any follow up care, pain pills or medication.

Her husband said the way his daughter was taken, or “stolen” from the hospital was similar to how thieves work in the night. He recalls being in a rage and even at one point resorting to cursing. He warns parents-to-be to not let nurses take their newborns out of their sight.

Goodson added that social services should not be trusted. “Don’t talk to them, don’t sign no papers,” she said. “They tell you they’re here for the benefit of your child; they’re not. They’re there to get paid extra for your child.”

Georgia senator lost seat after battling CPS

The same sentiment is shared by former Georgia Senator Nancy Schaefer in a message she delivered entitled “The System Cannot be Trusted.” While in office, she waged a battle against CPS and introduced a senate bill designed to bring that agency under stricter regulation but the bill was defeated, as was she when up for re-election. In her message, she spoke strong words about how the taking of children, particularly from poor families, has become a lucrative business for CPS.

“I have come to several conclusions … Poor parents oftentimes are targeted to lose their children because they do not have the wherewithal to hire an attorney and fight the system,” Schaefer said in the video message which, until late April, was freely available for viewing on Youtube. “The caseworkers and social workers are very often guilty of fraud, they withhold and destroy evidence, they fabricate evidence and seek to terminate parental rights unnecessarily.” She went on to say that the separation of families and snatching of children is growing because the money brought in by taxpayer dollars is needed by states and local governments to balance their budgets. She said the bureaucracy is “huge” as indicated by the number of people profiting from legalized kidnapping: state employees, attorneys, court investigators, guardian ad litems, judges, psychiatrists, foster parents, adoptive parents, “all are looking to the children in state custody to provide job security,” Schaefer declared.

Carberry gave an example of just how much money is at play when he said that FLMH charges anywhere from $1400-1600 per day for care of a child like Quentin, which amounts to nearly $500,000 per year, covered by taxpayers through Medicare/Medicaid. He suggested that the child’s mother would be “ecstatic” if given just $2000 per month to care for her child in her own home but Nash-Conner, in agreement with Schaefer, has concluded that the system is too big and is bringing in too much money for people who do not want their cash flow disrupted.

She shared that mainstream media outlets have refused to look at her story or others like it and that she has not been able to locate an attorney who is willing to stand up against such a machine. She has had no response from the offices of the governor or the mayor and was saddened by the reaction she received from Senator Peter Groff who did not take the time to hear her story or take her number to follow up. Groff, who is the first Black to become President of Colorado’s Senate, recently resigned to take a position in Washington, D.C. as part of President Barack Obama’s Department of Education.

Nash-Conner, Goodson and Rogers-El remain hopeful and confident that their children will be returned to them eventually but strongly encourage those who are apathetic or unaware of what is going on to become informed before it is too late and their own children are ‘kidnapped’ and caught up in the system.

One of Schaefer’s most startling statements is one which leaves little room for hope that things will improve any time soon. “I have witnessed such injustice and harm brought to so many families that I am not sure if reform of the system is even possible,” she said. “The system cannot be trusted, it does not serve the people, it obliterates families and children simply because it has the power to do so.”

Unlimited online distribution allowed with acknowledgement of bhonline.org as the source

The desire for sons fuels boys' abductions in China

The Nomadic Reporter — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 01:38:50 +0000

The New York Times has an interesting article out about the abduction of boys in China. Worth a read. You can find it here.

International Adoptions

radicalyffe — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:09:52 +0000

I read an article on international adoptions today.

Apparently many children adopted by the west are in fact not orphans.

Harrowing stuff. The article concludes:

Unless we recognize that behind the altruistic veneer, international adoption has become an industry — one that is often highly lucrative and sometimes corrupt — many more adoption stories will have unhappy endings. Unless adoption agencies are held to account, more young children will be wrongfully taken from their families. And unless those desperate to become parents demand reform, they will continue — wittingly or not — to pay for wrongdoing. “Credulous Westerners eager to believe that they are saving children are easily fooled into accepting laundered children,” writes David Smolin, a law professor and advocate for international adoption reform. “For there is no fool like the one who wants to be fooled.”

12,000 BLOND CHildren stolen by the Nazi's.

Lander Marks — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:06:38 +0000

1/12/09 Las Vegas, NV

This story adds yet another blood-curdling element to the horrors of the Holocaust. Imagine finding out your family isn’t your family and your life is a lie.

Such are the realities for many children of German descent, chosen for their blue eyes, blond hair and Aryan looks. Read more here: at The Daily News. Credit Andrew Malone for a wonderful article. Photos credit Merkus.

little boy lost

As the anniversary of “The Night of the Broken Glass” approaches, please let us never forget the horrors of the Holocaust.

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I now interrupt your regularly scheduled snark

lindseyquinn — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:35:30 +0000

Last night, I babysat for a very sweet 2-(3-?)year-old girl.

Having watched her before, I knew that she’d cry on-and-off, asking for Mommy and Daddy, sometimes wailing; but there are ways to calm her down, and she always ends up with the effing sweetest twinkle-eyed smile. This time, I thought she might be extra cranky, as she’s been having tummy troubles (and they seem genuinely like the 7th ring of Dante’s toddler hell; there wasn’t a trace of fake-cry in her eyes).

At this age, she is a huge fan of the question: Why?

Mommy and Daddy will be home soon: Why?

Because they miss you and they want to see you soon: Why?

Because they love you very much: Why?

After she took a heartcringingly, nosewrenchingly … wet … poo, her tummy felt much better, and all crying was off. She pulled out a sparkly pink toy camera (I thought it might be Disney-branded — specifically Tinkerbell-ish, ‘cos Tink’s her favorite— but it was just plain and cute), and started “taking pictures.”

Little Miss: Say cheese!

LQA: Cheese!

… and this went on and on, with her taking pictures of her pet panda, the dog, Noggin, her mac’n'cheese, and then, out of nowhere:

Little Miss: Aunt Lindsey, where’s your daddy?

… and that’s when I try to hide the fact that I’ve suddenly started to weep.

LQA: Very far away, and I miss him.

Little Miss: Is he nice? Does he love you?

LQA: Yes, very much.

Little Miss: Did he ever hit you or be mean?

LQA: No, never.

Little Miss: That’s like my daddy.

… you know how when you’re little, trying to hold back tears, it helps to look away and up?

Little Miss: I will take a picture of him, so he can see you, and you can see him.

I wish The Real World would just stop hassling me

lindseyquinn — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:05:07 +0000

Reading Sara Schaefer’s preview of the upcoming Real World: Brooklyn, I’m stunned by how it might not totally suck (and face it, you stopped watching around the Las Vegas season, too; everything went downhill after the glorious moment when Brynn threw the fork at that guy*) … and how it might actually be worth wasting time on.

But it got me to thinking, about the good old days, and might I shove you down memory lane, for some of those great moments when so many strangers were picked to live in houses?

Boston: When Montana (whose wimpy boyfriend, y’know, the one she cheated on? is named ‘Vaj’) let a child drink wine, thusly getting herself fired

Montana looks pretty good here, I must say, but I do wonder just how messed up those kids are today. WHERE ARE YOU NOW, Kids from that Afterschool??

(Really, though, Syrus was pretty great at that job. ::melt::)
New Orleans: ‘Come On Be My Baby Tonight’

Anytime, David. Anytime.
Miami: The very existence of that guy Joe

Say what you will about his diminutive stature, and the girlfriend who was constantly effing up his world, and his genuinely adorable, blatant nerdiness … but a man’s gotta have balls to walk around in a Snoopy t-shirt all the damn time!
S**TTL*: Ican’tmentionthiswithoutfearoflawsuit … but …

And you know you remember that.
London: When the heckler bit Neil’s tongue off

First off, I have a crush on Neil, but how intense was this? To have your tongue bitten of f while French kissing a stranger during a performance of your screamo-punk band Unilever??? And then (because a missing tongue does not clear speech make), spending the rest of the season doing his confessionals with a voice synthesizer?

And also: “Neil’s girlfriend of five years, Chrys, communicated her feelings on the relationship by mailing him a pig’s heart embedded with steel nails as a Valentine’s Day gift”

Where is he now? Apparently he has an alterego … named … wait for it … Shadecore.

Damn. I love Neil.
Los Angeles: When Tami had her jaw wired shut in order to lose weight

Seriously?
(And also, yay for this entire cast, mostly Dominic, Irene, John the Cowboy, and Lesbian Beth, definitely not Beth-the-bitch.)

CAN YOU THINK OF ANY MORE?

* whose name is either Stephen or Steven; I don’t really care to look it up, because my energy is reserved for preemptively correcting my possible typo in a long-winded footnote, while watching the first season of Top Chef (and retrospectively upgrading my initial opinion of Katie Lee Joel, in light of the fact that Padma Lakshmi strikes me as a uniquely heinous bitch with an all-too-high opinion of herself), and figuring out what to shove into my face for dinner.

Say No To Child Abuse from State Social Services and Parents, Foster Parents etc.

Social Services — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 00:27:48 +0000