Replies to 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren'

lcsweetpea23

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May 11, 2008, 7:06 pm PDT

my grandchildren

Quote From: hilbillygirl

My daughter lost her 4 minor children January 5, 2007 (on her 30th birthday) after relocating from Michigan to Kentucky. There were several allegations against her & her husband and have been several more since the children were removed from her home. The children are still in foster care. The state is trying to terminate her parental rights. My sister, my niece and I have all offered to take the children which would not be living together but at least in the care of biological family. There have been many postponements, papers being filed late or not at all. The Judge has warned the State of Kentucky that they would be in contempt if certain things were not done and in a timely fashion, but apparently to no avail. The most recent court date was April 7, when the decision was to be made whether to reunite the family, or terminate the parental rights and put the boys up for adoption. Because one of the doctors only just filed his papers that morning there has been another postponement until November. There was another court date before this one in February which was postponed until April 7.The case worker for the state finally after a year and a half contacted my sister to discuss the matter, and was very discouraging stating that all 4 of the children were special needs, with the three oldest needing ongoing therapy, that 2 have glasses and have had extensive dental work. We knew that these children could not be going through what they have gone through for the last year and a half and not need therapy, and what children dont need frequent dental visits or visits to the eye doctor? This does not sound like someone who is making every effort to minimize the trauma of being separated form your parents and having your family ripped apart. When I relayed this to my daughter she stated that the State is hurting for money and they make money if they can place the children in state. My daughter also stated that her case worker disclosed to her that they reviewed her own records from her childhood and found me to be unsuitable to take one of the children. When my daughter was approximately 9 or 10 years old she was diagnosed with a mental illness called cyclothymia, which is a mood disorder. Yes we had many dealings with child protective services due to things that my daughter said & did. She also accused my husband at the time of sexually molesting her and then recanted her story . When asked why she would say such a thing she said " when i'm good I dont get any attention. but when I'm bad I get all the attentino I want".She ran away many many times and through all of that I managed to raise her and her brother who was blind from birth the best I could providing a roof over their heads and putting food on the table, going to school meetings, and trying to make their family life a positive experience. I completed a cosmetology course and became a licensed hairdresser in an effort to get off of public assistance and make a better life for myself and my kids. I was never prosecuted for child abuse or neglect in fact each and every day that child protective services was on my doorstep they were welcomed into my home. I went to counseling as they suggested and my children were never once taken away from me. I ask my daughter & her husband what the real story is and they claim that their state appointed attorney does not tell them much and they dont know whats happening themselves. When my sister was talking to the social worker she came out and asked her what have they done that was so horrible that you want to take away their children"? and was told that my daughter would have to sign a release form in order for her to discuss it. I do not have the resources to hire an attorney myself or even make frequent trips to Kentucky. I dont know where to turn for help. I so desperately need to try to keep these 4 babies in my family and see that they have a better shot at a happy life than they have had thus far. i am looking for anyone to suggest where I should start. I am in Michigan and the children are in Kentucky. I work an 8-5 Job full time as onlne banking tech support I would welcome any suggestions.

hello I live in Virginia I have 4 grandchildren in Foster care in West Virginia they tell me that I have no rights them because of where I live and that I should not want to see them. I am in the same boat I cant afford a lawyer to go over and fight in the state of West Virginia. I wrote to Dr Phil and I hope he will do a show on this concern. They are keeping these babies from me because of where I live. Also, the 2 boys were taken in april of 20065in May of 2006 she had a baby girl social services came from West Virginia and picked the baby up out of the hospital in Virginia. She had another baby in August of 2008 they did the same thing again If you can help in any way please let me know and I will do the same.