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Hi Sarah,
Since there is documented proof (with the hospitalization of the child)
it may be time to get the ACLU involved and state that the CHILD'S rights
to a safe, healthy, and normal life are in danger and are being violated.
It sounds pretty drastic, but look at what's involved and that is a child's
life. Children can be and have been scarred for the rest of their life
because of abuse and unfortunately, sometimes the "chain of command" (court,
DSS, etc) takes forever to get things going.
Have your friend request court appointed guardian ad litem for the child.
If the court refuses, they must state why they feel it is not appropriate
in this situation. Then take it to ACLU, but make sure that your friend
presses the issue that the CHILD's rights are being violated and have her
try not to drag "custody issues" into it. Have her request that the
child be placed into a temporary home. It hurts to have a child go to
another home, but the main issue is to get the child into a safe environment.
> over the last year neighbors of the ex have called dept of social
> services and the police (and her) a number of times (along with
> signing affadavits) stating that the ex's new wife is physically
> abusing the child.
Have your friend try and get copies of police reports and affadavits
if possible. If she can't get the reports, at least she can get with
the neighbors and get more affadavits. Documentation is the best
medicine to have.
> the child's therapist got a court order to remove her from the home
> and hospitalize her for 2 weeks, but she is back in the home now.
Is this a court appointed therapist or a private practise? Does this
therapist report to anyone or have associates? It could very well
matter what your friend can do as far as pressure on them.
> my friend has a lawyer, and has gone to court a number of times
> over the past few months, but she is still only allowed to see the
> child every other sunday for the day. i guess it is relevant to state
> that she lost custody because the ex had people lie in court that she
> had a drug problem. she has undergone monthly voluntary drug testing
> and has never tested positive.
My question along this line is and please realize what I'm about to
say. If your friend was lied against in court, then why is she taking the
drug testing? Is it to prove to the court that she is not on drugs.
Has she ever been caught using and if she has, is she going to any
type of recovery programs like NA, CA, etc? Things like this also
play major roles.
> along with wondering what is taking the court so long to fix this
> problem, i was hoping that some of you may have some advice as to how
> she could cut through all the red tape in the system. i personally
> think her lawyer is not very good, but she stand by him.
Unfortunately, the courts are over burdened and sometimes take a long
time, but by that time though, it could be to late. Remember the squeakest
wheel gets the oil.
> as a friend i feel helpless... there is nothing i can say or do
> to help the situation.
The best thing your can do for your friend is encouragement, hope, care,
and prayers. Don't try and TELL her what to do, but help guide her in her
decisions and her alternatives. Talk about the pro's and con's of EVERY
decision. There is only so much that she will be able to do, emotionally
and financially. I'm not a very religious person, but I am very spiritual.
She can't do everything so she should let some of it go and ask for help,
spiritually.
Prayers to you, your friend, and especially the child.
Kenn
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| Sarah,
The only thing that I can advise is, as I have said to others in this
file, DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Write down what happens, when and where.
This will be useful in court. If the judge in this case is the same
on that awarded change of custody because of the "drug problem", then
try to get the judge removed from the case. The Judge's openion may
be "tainted" by the previous case.
If the step parent is indeed "abusing" the child, keep a close watch
on the child for any bruises or markings that may indicate abuse.
Document and photograph these markings if possible ( but be careful
that the photographs don't allow any accusation of child pornography ).
Call police and DSS immediatly (have them take photographs).
fred();
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