Today is the Ten Year Anniversary of Isabella Being Stolen by Nashua, NH DCYF

Ten years ago today, my beautiful Granddaughter Isabella was stolen by Nashua, NH DCYF and handed over to stranger's, because in Nashua, "Relative placement is NOT an option". Hoping one day Isabella will be home to celebrate my birthday with me! I love you Isabella and will never stop fighting for your return.

Governor Hassan Announces State to Initiate Independent Review of DCYF

Governor Hassan Announces State to Initiate Independent Review of DCYF | New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan:

It's about time!

For Immediate Release
October 2, 2015

Contact:
Communications Office
(603)271-2121

Governor Hassan Announces State to Initiate Independent Review of DCYF

CONCORD – In light of concerns raised by law enforcement after the murder of a Manchester toddler – and an initial review by the Department of Justice – Governor Maggie Hassan announced today that the state will initiate a comprehensive, independent review of the child protective services of the Division of Children Youth and Families (DCYF).

“We deeply grieve the loss of any child,” Governor Hassan said. “If as a state we missed any opportunity to save a child’s life, it is a tragedy and a failure – one that we must do everything possible to prevent in the future. Our society rests on the fundamental principle that all children must be able to grow up in a safe environment, and in the rare instances where their families harm them, we must protect them.” “That is why, based on Attorney General Joseph Foster’s initial review and recommendations, I am ordering an independent, top-to-bottom, expert review of New Hampshire’s child protective services.”

After the death of 21-month-old Sadie Willott in Manchester in early September, law enforcement raised concerns about DCYF’s involvement in the case. As a result, the Attorney General began a review, looking at the Willot case and other cases the Attorney General’s office had handled. The Attorney General also reached out to county attorneys to review cases that had been handled at the county level. Based on his initial review, the Attorney General recommended a thorough, independent review of DCYF.

“This independent review will examine DCYF’s handling of the cases of concern, but also their processes, staffing, training, caseloads, and the laws that they operate under,” Governor Hassan said. “And as findings and recommendations come forward, we will implement them as soon as possible.”

The Department of Justice will play an active role in the review and will also make recommendations to the commission headed by Senator David Boutin, which is looking at how to improve state laws to better protect children.

“Our preliminary review of Sadie Willott’s death and other homicide and assault cases involving child victims raised significant concerns about DCYF’s prior contacts with those families,” said Attorney General Foster. “We welcome the assistance of an outside expert to conduct a review and determine what steps can be taken to better assure the safety and security of New Hampshire’s smallest and most vulnerable citizens. We remain committed to assisting the Executive Branch and the Legislature as they continue to address this critical and fundamental issue.” 

Report: Auburn children suffered heat stroke; DCF policies not followed

Report: Auburn children suffered heat stroke; DCF policies not f - 7News Boston WHDH-TV:
AUBURN, Mass. (WHDH) -
According to a Department of Children and Families report released on Thursday, 2-year-old Avalena Conway-Coxon, who died while living at an Auburn foster home, suffered a heat stroke.

Gov cites DCF’s ‘blatant lack of oversight’ in Auburn foster child’s death

Gov cites DCF’s ‘blatant lack of oversight’ in Auburn foster child’s death | Boston Herald:

Child welfare bosses moved to discipline two state workers after an internal investigation revealed multiple agency missteps before the death of a 2-year-old and the hospitalization of a 22-month-old living in an Auburn foster home. Gov. Charlie Baker called the case a “blatant lack of oversight” by the Department of Children and Families at a midday press conference.

Manchester chief: DCYF failed to protect child

Manchester chief: DCYF failed to protect child | New Hampshire:

MANCHESTER — New Hampshire social workers failed to protect Sadie Willott, the 21-month-old child whose mother faces homicide charges in connection with her death over the Labor Day weekend, the city’s police chief said Wednesday.
“In the Willott homicide, DCYF failed to protect Sadie,” Police Chief Nick Willard said during an interview with a New Hampshire Union Leader reporter. He also said DCYF did not initially cooperate in the investigation, unlike in previous investigations into similar child abuse cases.
My comment:
"In the past, DCYF Administrator Lorraine Bartlett has said that family reunification is the first and foremost goal of her agency." Is that a fairly new concept?
“We want to be able to continue to provide the support and services to that family, so whenever possible children can be returned to their parents,” she told the Union Leader last December. Is this also a new concept? Maybe Lorraine Bartlett is much better qualified as DCYF Administrator than her predecessor Maggie Bishop. While Bishop was at the helm, at risk families never received any services or support from DCYF. The norm was to take the child and run. Evidence of innocence wasn't allowed. A false report was all it took to steal a child. Even a "Proven" false report. Does DCYF even look for relatives for placement of the stolen children, or is it still the same? "Relative placement is not an option. The child is going into Foster care, period."
Why in the world was Brielle and her siblings returned to their Mother, while felony child abuse charges were pending? While Bishop was at the helm, parent's whose criminal charges were dropped,(only because evidence of innocence was allowed in Criminal Court), still never got their children back. And the charges were for child endangerment, not mental or physical abuse. And what about the Mother's in NH who have lost children to the State, for prescribed medication while pregnant? Or almost lost the child because DCYF protocol is for Hospital's to report Mother's whose children show symptom's of withdrawl from prescribed medication given to the Mother?What about Medication, given in labor, that spill's into the unborn child? These children are stolen and never returned.
How about the Police taking over like they did in times past? They know REAL abuse when they see it. These children would probably be alive today. If DCYF wasn't so busy railroading innocent parent's AND their families, with frivolous nonsense accusation's, they may have had the time to save these children. This is REAL abuse! REAL abuse that took the lives of these two beautiful children!

Bonds Broken, Lives Shattered

Isabella and Grammie

Grampie and Austin before he was stolen

When the State step's in and takes a child, familial bonds are broken. Not only are the children's lives shattered, but so are all family member's. The trauma takes it's toll on the entire family. The children suffer due to the loss of the family member's they bonded with. Not just their Mother and Father, but their Grandparent's and Aunts, Uncles and Cousin's as well. 

The children are thrust into a whole new world, without their family guiding their way. Wondering what they did wrong to deserve this punishment. Wondering why their family is no longer there for them, feeling unwanted and unloved. I can just imagine the pain these children are going through, day after day, longing for their REAL family. Wondering if they will ever see their REAL family again. The family they grew to love and shared that special bond with.

Not only does the child experience the pain and suffering at the loss of their family, so does the family member's who bonded with these children. The family member's who in some instances, helped deliver the child at birth. The family member's who aided the Mother's throughout their complicated pregnancies, just to make sure these children were born healthy. The Grandmother's who indeed bonded with these children, as if they were their own. Sang them lullabies, rocked them and made sure everything was prepared for their homecoming. Little did they know, their new grandchild would never come home. The grandchild would be stolen by the State, where relative placement is never considered. Where familial bonds mean nothing as far as the State is concerned. Where innocence means nothing and family member's get dragged in and slandered, though always denied standing in Court. Never allowed to speak. Never allowed to face their accuser's. Never allowed to be a "Party in the case". Never allowed or even considered custody of the child.

So yes, I know exactly what the children must be going through. My family's lives have been shattered along with my grandchildren. The pain is like no other. I go to bed thinking of my stolen grandchildren. I wake up thinking of my stolen grandchildren. I worry about them all the time. They are part of me. My blood runs through their vein's. With death there is closure. When a child is stolen, there is no closure. Our lives are not the same. The memories keep flowing. There's no way of stopping them. The pain is never ending. You can no longer function the way you used to. You can't do the things you used to. You can't bring yourself to do the things you used to do when your grandchildren were by your side. Their favorite toy's make you cry. Their hand prints they gave you stay hung on the wall's. Your wall's become a shrine, filled with their pictures, hoping and praying they will come home where they belong. 

Our lives are definitely not the same. We no longer trust. We watch our backs and protect our family like a lion protects her cubs. 

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that our own Government would let anything so horrendous happen to our families. So yes, our lives are shattered. We are denied the right to raise our own family.

Another DCYF Fail-Nashua mom claims falls killed tot

Nashua mom claims falls killed tot | New Hampshire:



Brielle Gage of Nashua would have turned 4 earlier this year; she died last fall from blunt-force trauma. 

NASHUA — New details are being released about the injuries suffered by 3-year-old Brielle Gage before her murder last fall, including the final moments leading up to her death.