CPS takes baby from loving mother Sarah Sandy, and gives her to Violent Tweeker Felon. | Orange Juice
BY VERN NELSON – APRIL 4, 2011
POSTED IN: "THE OC", CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, CORRUPTION, FRESH JUICE
Of all the many horrifying and unjust cases I’ve learned about in recent weeks showing the dysfunction of Child Protective Services, none have been more illustrative of the agency’s flaws than what Sarah Sandy and her three children have had to endure from the OC CPS over the last 20 months. And this is a timely story too, as she has yet another court hearing coming up Tuesday morning.
Briana
Questions:
Are CPS critics ranging from the left to the right correct that the agency, driven perversely by its need and hunger for continued billions of dollars from the federal government, has become a ruthless child-taking machine requiring only the flimsiest of pretexts?
Is it true that the CPS prioritizes seizing the healthiest, youngest kids, the ones most desirable for adoption, while leaving unhealthy, older, at-risk kids at home to fend for themselves?
Is it true that a parent can jump through all the hoops, for months upon months, that CPS demands of them, spending thousands of dollars and behaving impeccably, and still not end up getting their kids back?
Sarah's assailant, felon, and now Briana's caretaker, with twelve-gauge shotgun, Nov. 2010
Is it true that the child is often given back not to the most demonstrably responsible parent, but to the one most likely to fuck up again, so the child can be taken back again, this time for good, and put up for adoption?
Is it true that the agency reserves special vindictiveness – perpetually delayed re-unification – for any parent who speaks out, to the media and on social media, and who organizes other parents in similar situations?
The last 20 months’ hair-raising experience of Sarah Sandy and her three children suggests the answers to all the above are yes and yes. But they still hold out hope against hope, as do thousands of other families across the nation. Let’s hear the story of Sarah and her kids.
Summer 2009
As our story begins, Sarah Sandy had been district manager for seven LA-area Denny’s for several years. She spent all her spare time caring for her two sons, three-year-old Timmy and two-year-old Matthew, and was vice-president of the local MOMS club. An Awanas Kindergarten Bible study teacher, she didn’t drink or use drugs, never had any criminal history, and was very involved in her community.
Her one fatal flaw was falling in love being conned by a charming sociopathic felon, an unemployed methamphetamine addict whom we won’t name here but decision makers reading this know who he is.
When Sarah became pregnant by this man, he demanded that she have an abortion, but the devout Christian refused. At one point in his rage he threw her out of moving car and flung a twelve-pack of coke on her. As a result she took her boys and went to Human Options Domestic Violence (a battered woman’s shelter.) But she only stayed there for days, as they insisted she leave her job for thirty days, which she refused to do.
Grovelingly apologetic, the sociopath convinced Sarah to return home, and for a month things were peaceful. But by July he was back to demanding she have an abortion, and eventually one day his fury grew until he knocked her out by banging her forehead with his, and then left her unconscious with Timmy and Matthew. A neighbor, whom Sarah had called minutes earlier, came over and found her unconscious on the floor and called the police. Child Protective Services wouldn’t allow the neighbor to take care of Timmy and Matthew and scooped them up.
When Sarah woke up in the hospital, her assailant was at her bedside, contrite and scared, reminding her that what he’d done would send him back to prison with a third strike, and “the baby would never have a daddy.” (The perpetual last refuge of scoundrels, “Think of the children.”) So, giving into his pleas, she told law enforcement that she had banged her own head against the wall in a rage. FIRST BIG MISTAKE.
It was a while before she realized she’d been KNOCKED INTO A COMA FOR NINE DAYS.
CPS was “there to help,” and made her realize that her attraction to dangerous guys was a liability for a mother. So she cut him off completely and spent the remainder of 2009, and her pregnancy, eagerly and faithfully following all the steps the agency designated as part of her “re-unification program.” That entailed a Personal Empowerment Program (PEP – teaches women to keep away from bad guys), parenting classes, nearly-daily random drug testing (even though she had never had a history of drug use), and much more. All of this was while Sarah was pregnant, and holding down her full-time job; all of it cost thousands of dollars and was done with the understanding that Timmy and Matthew would be returned to her by early 2010.
Also over this period, her caseworker repeatedly re-assured her that when her baby would be born in February she’d definitely be allowed to keep it.
Briana’s birth, February 2010
The day Sarah gave birth to Briana she happily called her CPS worker, according to agreement, to let her know she’d given birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl. Then the next day an “emergency response team” from CPS – her usual worker along with one Sheila Mecado (who seems to specialize in this babysnatching) entered Sarah’s room, and tears of apprehension immediately filled Sarah’s eyes. “Are you sad? Are you afraid?” asked Mecado. “I’m just scared you’re going to take my baby away.” WRONG ANSWER, another big mistake. Never admit such a thing, mothers – the worker quickly checked off the box next to “post-partum depression” and snatched away Briana.
I’ll skip a lot of the year 2010 for now, since before Tuesday’s hearing we want to focus on what happened to Briana, who was placed in five different foster homes, including two that were closed down that year for neglect and abuse. Meanwhile the fellow, Briana’s reluctant father who had put her mother into a coma, went through ten weeks of anger management and moved into a halfway house.
Amazingly, without explanation, in November of that year, CPS decided to place baby Briana not with her mother but with this felon. That’s him you see above, posing with a shotgun, the Facebook profile he defiantly put up the week he got his baby daughter. It is in fact a felony – Penal Code 120.21 subdiv. a- for a felon to even have access to such a weapon. CPS has been made aware of this photo and still allows him to keep Briana, with no investigation. To all appearances, the female CPS worker has been charmed by the felon just as Sarah was.
Sarah’s outspokenness, CPS’ vindictiveness.
I find it inspiring how Sarah dealt with all these setbacks. I’ll skip for now all the authorities she contacted for help without much response. I like how when she became aware how many other mothers (and fathers) were in similar predicaments, she reached out to form support groups.
Most notably she created the Facebook page “OCCACPS Corruption” which by now has over 2000 members nationwide. This page quickly led, locally, to a regular meeting of 20 or so mothers and fathers at Denny’s, where it turned out everyone had similar stories with slightly different details. She also set up a 24-hour hotline for parents in distress – (714) 868-1492. She’s made several widely viewed YouTubes (I’ll post one below) – and appeared on many radio and internet talk shows talking about these issues.
These positive activities seem to have infuriated the authorities at the agency, and they’ve punished her (and the children) in every way they can think of, to get her to shut up. They’ve taken away her daughter completely. They’ve shortened her visits with her son to two hours per month supervised, and frequently cancel those at the last minute. The same case worker so enthralled with the felon continually demands “ex-parte” hearings demanding Sarah’s Facebook be taken down (which by now is run by supporters across the nation.)
Next chapter…
It’s arguable whether or not they can legally make Sarah take down her page, because when a parent has their child taken away they’re forced to sign a waiver giving away their Constitutional rights. This is obscene, but a fact. I and many others feel it should be unconstitutional for it to even be possible for someone to sign away their Constitutional rights, under duress or not. But it explains how CPS can place parents under gag orders, forbid them to meet with each other, deny them “trials by a jury of their peers” and more.
And I’ll talk more about that in the next chapter. But the main thing I want to do soon here is give Sandy something she’s not allowed in court – a chance to call up character witnesses – all of whom will sign statements under penalty of perjury as they have no chance to swear on a Bible in court.
Okay, now watch this video if you didn’t last time I put it up. That’s eccentric firebrand pastor Wylie Drake, one of many who have taken up Sarah’s cause:
Isabella Brooke Knightly and Austin Gamez-Knightly
In Memory of my Loving Husband, William F. Knightly Jr. Murdered by ILLEGAL Palliative Care at a Nashua, NH Hospital
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Foster care pinwheel event joined by small group in black
Foster care pinwheel event joined by small group in black | Coshocton Tribune | coshoctontribune.com
Members of the nonprofit group We the People Family Preservation raise awareness about child abuse happening to children while in foster care across the country. The group will place black pinwheels in Coshocton, Muskingum, Licking and Franklin counties this week. / Valerie Boateng, Tribune
Written by
KATHIE DICKERSON
Staff Writer
Heather Darr, of Coshocton, joined others to raise awareness of abuse and objecting to the loss of parental rights. / Valerie Boateng, Tribune
COSHOCTON -- April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the 219 blue and silver pinwheels placed on the corner of Main and Sixth streets were joined by 10 black pinwheels Monday morning.
A few parents were there, too, holding signs to represent the We The People Family Preservation organization, a nonprofit group raising attention about children abused in foster care. The black pinwheels represent children who died while in foster care nationwide, said L. Wilson, a member of the group and a Coshocton resident.
Wilson said more than 80 percent of the children placed in foster care are there under false allegations, and parents should be aware of their rights.
That is not the case, said Mindy Fehrman, director of Coshocton County Job and Family Services, under which Children Services operates.
"Our mission is to make sure children are safe, whether it's with their parents, relatives or foster care," she said. "We do everything we can to make sure that happens."
The last known instance of a child dying in foster care in Coshocton County was in 1985, and that was not a result of foster care abuse, but of the parental abuse before the child was placed in a foster home, Fehrman said.
The victim had been shaken by a parent, then removed to the custody of Children Services.
"It's our priority that we work with parents and keep children in their homes or in the homes of relatives," Fehrman said. "Have there been tragedies, yes, but we do everything within our power to make sure those tragedies won't happen again."
If a child must be removed from the home placing them with someone they know is a preference, Fehrman said.
Reforming the state's foster care system became a hot-button issue after a 3-year-old boy died near Cincinnati in August 2006. Marcus Fiesel was left bound inside a closet for two days by his foster parents, Liz Carroll and David Carroll Jr.
Both were convicted of murder and are serving life sentences for his death.
More than 75 percent, or 1,257, of the 1,676 child abuse fatalities in the U.S. in 2009 were caused by one or more parents, according to data submitted to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children & Families. About .9 percent, or 151 deaths, were caused by abuse by a foster parent, friend or neighbor or legal guardian.
Each year, the Coshocton County Children's Services places blue and silver pinwheels around the community. These pinwheels represent the number of child abuse reports the agency received in 2010, which is down from the 384 reports in 2009. The agency's goal is to raise awareness of child abuse and to educate the public.
kdickers@coshoctontribune.com; (740) 295-3442
Members of the nonprofit group We the People Family Preservation raise awareness about child abuse happening to children while in foster care across the country. The group will place black pinwheels in Coshocton, Muskingum, Licking and Franklin counties this week. / Valerie Boateng, Tribune
Written by
KATHIE DICKERSON
Staff Writer
Heather Darr, of Coshocton, joined others to raise awareness of abuse and objecting to the loss of parental rights. / Valerie Boateng, Tribune
COSHOCTON -- April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the 219 blue and silver pinwheels placed on the corner of Main and Sixth streets were joined by 10 black pinwheels Monday morning.
A few parents were there, too, holding signs to represent the We The People Family Preservation organization, a nonprofit group raising attention about children abused in foster care. The black pinwheels represent children who died while in foster care nationwide, said L. Wilson, a member of the group and a Coshocton resident.
Wilson said more than 80 percent of the children placed in foster care are there under false allegations, and parents should be aware of their rights.
That is not the case, said Mindy Fehrman, director of Coshocton County Job and Family Services, under which Children Services operates.
"Our mission is to make sure children are safe, whether it's with their parents, relatives or foster care," she said. "We do everything we can to make sure that happens."
The last known instance of a child dying in foster care in Coshocton County was in 1985, and that was not a result of foster care abuse, but of the parental abuse before the child was placed in a foster home, Fehrman said.
The victim had been shaken by a parent, then removed to the custody of Children Services.
"It's our priority that we work with parents and keep children in their homes or in the homes of relatives," Fehrman said. "Have there been tragedies, yes, but we do everything within our power to make sure those tragedies won't happen again."
If a child must be removed from the home placing them with someone they know is a preference, Fehrman said.
Reforming the state's foster care system became a hot-button issue after a 3-year-old boy died near Cincinnati in August 2006. Marcus Fiesel was left bound inside a closet for two days by his foster parents, Liz Carroll and David Carroll Jr.
Both were convicted of murder and are serving life sentences for his death.
More than 75 percent, or 1,257, of the 1,676 child abuse fatalities in the U.S. in 2009 were caused by one or more parents, according to data submitted to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children & Families. About .9 percent, or 151 deaths, were caused by abuse by a foster parent, friend or neighbor or legal guardian.
Each year, the Coshocton County Children's Services places blue and silver pinwheels around the community. These pinwheels represent the number of child abuse reports the agency received in 2010, which is down from the 384 reports in 2009. The agency's goal is to raise awareness of child abuse and to educate the public.
kdickers@coshoctontribune.com; (740) 295-3442
DCF Head Wants "Friendlier" Agency
DCF Head Wants "Friendlier" Agency | NBC Connecticut
By Debra Bogstie
Joette Katz, the new commissioner of the Department of Children and Families, held an open meeting with reporters Monday to outline changes that are underway with the troubled agency.
Katz, a former State Supreme Court justice, has the tall task of turning around an agency that's been under federal court supervision for 20 years.
Among her priorities: restructuring the agency to cut bureaucracy. "Create a flatter agency, one that has fewer layers in the hopes that we will be delivering to our families at a more streamlined, efficient, and effective manner," said Katz.
Katz says she'll personally review the most serious cases where children under DCF supervision end up dead. One of those cases involved an infant born addicted to cocaine who was under DCF supervision all of his life. He died at two and a half months old, after his father, Anthony Nelson, admitted falling on the baby's head while walking to get a beer.
"We need to learn from these things," said Katz. "There are a lot of things that we do very well but that doesn't mean we do them perfectly and it doesn't mean there's not room for improvement."
Other changes Katz plans to make include consolidating the Riverview Psychiatric Hospital and Connecticut Children's Place under one superintendent, bringing many of the 360 children who are currently housed out-of-state back to Connecticut, increasing foster homes, especially homes where children can stay with relatives and reclassifying low-risk cases from investigations to assessments.
"We hope to embrace our families in a much friendlier way," said Katz.
By Debra Bogstie
Joette Katz, the new commissioner of the Department of Children and Families, held an open meeting with reporters Monday to outline changes that are underway with the troubled agency.
Katz, a former State Supreme Court justice, has the tall task of turning around an agency that's been under federal court supervision for 20 years.
Among her priorities: restructuring the agency to cut bureaucracy. "Create a flatter agency, one that has fewer layers in the hopes that we will be delivering to our families at a more streamlined, efficient, and effective manner," said Katz.
Katz says she'll personally review the most serious cases where children under DCF supervision end up dead. One of those cases involved an infant born addicted to cocaine who was under DCF supervision all of his life. He died at two and a half months old, after his father, Anthony Nelson, admitted falling on the baby's head while walking to get a beer.
"We need to learn from these things," said Katz. "There are a lot of things that we do very well but that doesn't mean we do them perfectly and it doesn't mean there's not room for improvement."
Other changes Katz plans to make include consolidating the Riverview Psychiatric Hospital and Connecticut Children's Place under one superintendent, bringing many of the 360 children who are currently housed out-of-state back to Connecticut, increasing foster homes, especially homes where children can stay with relatives and reclassifying low-risk cases from investigations to assessments.
"We hope to embrace our families in a much friendlier way," said Katz.
Monday, April 4, 2011
18-Month-Old Baby(Foster Child) Dies of Injuries From Beating
18-Month-Old Baby Dies of Injuries From Beating | NBC New York
An 18-month-old foster care child who sustained a severe beating two weeks ago, allegedly from a caretaker's boyfriend, died last week from his injuries.
An 18-month-old foster care child who sustained a severe beating two weeks ago, allegedly from a caretaker's boyfriend, died last week from his injuries.
Child welfare workers second-guess stressful jobs-Why should They get special treatment?
Child welfare workers second-guess stressful jobs - BusinessWeek
What makes them think they should be treated differently from anyone else?
By COLLEEN LONG
NEW YORK (AP) -- Child welfare workers and their advocates say they should not go to jail for falling down on the job.
They say their work is low in pay and high in stress from hostile families, tight budgets and overburdened court systems.
But prosecutors say workers who are dangerously negligent in their jobs should be held criminally responsible.
What makes them think they should be treated differently from anyone else?
By COLLEEN LONG
NEW YORK (AP) -- Child welfare workers and their advocates say they should not go to jail for falling down on the job.
They say their work is low in pay and high in stress from hostile families, tight budgets and overburdened court systems.
But prosecutors say workers who are dangerously negligent in their jobs should be held criminally responsible.
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