child abuse scandal - Page 2

[mama in the forest]

Iowa- November 2006. Baby born at home, unassisted, taken to hospital 5-6 hours later. Denial of critical care charges. Founded abuse report. Appealing report, no trial until Sep 2008

cranberry - is there anything we can do? Let us know how we can help.

[vesper0]

Originally Posted by mama in the forest

cranberry - is there anything we can do? Let us know how we can help.

I second that. Your situation is tough.

[moonfirefaery]

feebeeglee-Yes that's what I meant!

Because this thread doesn't ask for advice on how to proceed or consolation. It is rather an open ended, bare facts statement.

Maybe she wanted to start a discussion about women's rights as related to birth choices--feasible, even though she hasn't joined in on that discussion at all. Maybe she wanted to fuel a discussion about CPS reform or give us all a place to bash CPS, despite the fact that there's at least one thread a week in TAO dedicated to that subject. Maybe she was warning us to be careful of CPS, especially if we are UCing--even though we ALL already know that. Maybe she wanted sympathy, pity, hugs, and a lot of "Oh you poor violated woman!" responses. *Shrugs* Who knows? It seems to me that the most likely reason for posting is to seek advice, considering that's the ONLY thing that will really help or benefit the OP.

But of course, it's a free forum, so please, by all means, continue discussing how evil CPS is, how women's reproductive rights are being violated, how this is a gross misuse of power, how CPS needs to be reformed, etc. I don't disagree with you there. CPS makes mistakes and does abuse power at times. Our reproductive rights are indeed violated when they interfere over UC. CPS does need to be reformed. I just don't see how going on about that is at all constructive or is going to make a difference, particularly for the OP. It won't help her get her daughter back. It won't make CPS change their ways. I feel like a far better use of my time is to help people understand how CPS works and to give people information that can help them fight back. But you're right, the OP didn't say exactly why she started this thread, so you go on. I'm out, though.

:

[LionTigerBear]

Originally Posted by Usually Curious

I don't have a very high opinion of CPS AT ALL. They will do anything, ANYTHING, to get young, adoptable babies out of a home.

My SIL is a court advocate for parents who've had their children removed and she also runs a non-profit for the education classes that these parents are required to take (the court requires them but does not require anyone to provide them so hundreds of parents in her county had no way to get their kids back). She uncovered an illegal adoption ring run by the county judge and police and CPS. She has had her life, her staff's lives and the lives of her children threatened by these people. Her offices were bugged and she finally closed up shop. They are serious, they killed one of her clients only hours after a court appearance where he spoke up and quoted the law to the judge w/their support.

I have ZERO respect or confidence in CPS.

Where did this happen???

[josephine_e]

It seems to me that the most likely reason for posting is to seek advice, considering that's the ONLY thing that will really help or benefit the OP.

actually, i don't necessarily agree that advice is the only thing that would help the OP. i don't know if it is or not -- like you all have said, she didn't say. she could very well have already gotten a truck load of advice, have already researched, and made a decision about what to do next. we don't know how informed she is, and since she didn't ask for advice, we can't assume that she needs it.

i do believe that a lot of times support in the form of understanding, hugs, and just the acknowledgment that she's there and we're here if she needs us can also be very helpful in this kind of situation. "support" doesn't mean necessarily saying "oh, you poor violated woman," but it can include acknowledging that violation and validating her many layers of feelings. these things can help give strength to a mama in a very devastating and isolating situation. having support from a community isn't just about having a pity party -- it's about overcoming the isolation and fear that accompanies tragedy.

of course, like i said, none of us know if that's what the OP wanted because she didn't say. we can all only offer what we have to offer. if that's advice, that's fine, and if it's just "how can i help?" or "" that's fine, too. personally, i have no experience so : is all i've got.

[moonfirefaery]

I agree that support and acknowledgement of the wrong-doing is helpful as well. I just found the responses to my posts specifically very frustrating, considering they were made in the spirit of giving advice and informing. I didn't need anyone to explain to me that CPS does abuse power, that UC is perceived as reckless, etc. The discussion about that was mainly revolving my posts, as if in an effort to make me understand, and as those are things I'm already aware of, I didn't appreciate that. I apologize.

[AngelaB]

Im not really sure what this thread is about but Im in Iowa too and am curious to know what the whole story is about. I would like to help if possible.
Angela

[cranberry99]

birth story

Hi. My case (for custody) will be reviewed in 2 weeks. This means I'll probably get a trial home placement. Which means I'll be scrutinized for months to come. These days the "issue" is "feeding". First I was required to purchase a 'larger bottle' because the size I had wasn't big enough. The foster parents alleged I wasn't feeding her so I was then requried to keep a list of everything she eats in my care. Now she is on solid foods so they question my mostly vegetarian diet. My latest assignment is to "list protein sources" since lunchmeat is not on my menu. Their limited understanding of nutrition means I consulted a nutritionist today as backup. (I feed my child whole foods, fruits and veggies, cottage cheese/protein, etc. They suggest I purchase lunch meats for a 10-month old child. The social worker on my case asked, "name a protein source you have given her" and I said, "cottage cheese". The woman looked at her WIC information handout and stated, "Cottage cheese is a dairy product!" Obviously her crude understanding of protein was preventing her brain from functioning.)
The battle is neverending. This particular worker leaves threatening messages on my machine since the new supervisors are giving her the information she's looking for. My first supervisor was sympathetic to my home birth and is my neighbor, as well as a trained therapist and social worker. The new supervisors do not have degrees but are power-trippy and scrutinize my instincts and how and when I feed her. I was instructed to give her mac & cheese to eat by herself, long after she was hungry. I did so and she threw the bowl on the floor. I decided she was done but was told later I had 'misread her cues" and she was still hungry even though she refused her bottle 5 times in front of the supervisor. I was supposed to have cooked her an entirely new meal because she "didn't like what I had given her" (even though she had eaten it) maybe because it "tasted funny" because I had used the slightest touch of soymilk.
I am now listed on a registry with child molesters, people who physically or sexually abuse their kids, all because a social worker determined that "something could have happened" to my daughter had she been born with something the matter and I didn't contact anyone. I cannot teach, work in the public schools, with elderly or children unless this is removed. Apparently Iowa is cracking down on births outside of a hospital setting. There is a midwife in Iowa City who is being prosecuted. I was told it was "not illegal" to give birth in Iowa outside of a hospital but it seems as though my refusal to move during parts of my labor included in the amount of time before a physician saw my daughter was used to determine the 'abuse' charge. So I guess if your child is born safely at home without medical assistance, and you don't call 911, you are abusing your child according to this Iowa abuse statute. I think it is absurd and ridiculous to say that a perfectly healthy child (one I spent months making sure was healthy inside of my womb by taking care of myself appropriately) is the victim of abuse. Giving birth is a natural act. If I hadn't read all about homebirth perhaps i would've freaked out and called 911 like they were asking me to. But my daughter was lively, eyes open, making squeaks. I tried to breastfeed her, cleansed her face and skin with a warm washcloth, wrapped her in warm blankets, tried to clean up the area. You can scrutinize me and tell me that a mental health condition may have prevented me from contacting anyone, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't a mental health condition that helped me deliver my baby alone, clean her up and rest from being in labor for 12 hours, no sleep in over 24 hours. I gave birth alone because my mother left me telling me she was returning soon. We were hoping it was pre-labor. I should have hired a doula. I wanted to stay at home where it was more comfortable. I was in . the moment. I wasn't looking at the clock. I had read the Hypnobirthing book. I was trying to breathe and visualize and get through the pain. I spent 3 hours in the warm shower and then the pains left. I called my mother. She came and stayed with me for 6 hours until she left in the morning as I lay waiting, hoping it had ended. There was a still as I hoped to sleep. Then the eye of the storm passed and it was time to push. I have no idea how long it lasted but she came out fast in 3 pushes, my water broke and exploded all over the room in a huge gush. I stood up and delivered the placenta, it fell right out. It was warm and sticky. She was covered with warm gooeyness. My guinea pigs squeaked and she squeaked back. She had brown eyes. She opened her little mouth like she was hungry and I tried to feed her but it seemed like they weren't ready to feed. She opened her eyes when I talked to her but eventually she was sleepy and I tucked her in for a little nap. I wanted to nest with her. Her heart was beating, she was breathing, she could see me and hear me when I spoke to her. Later in the report they said she "hadn't been fed" like I'd personally denied her food, that she was "hyperthermic ie "cold" when she had a completely normal temperature for her, and questioned my sanity for not immediately calling for an ambulance even though my mother said she would come back and she did, though later than she said. In my world people call 911 when someone is dying or near death, not for a perfectly natural and beautiful birth. I recognize that there are people in this world who do not understand that a woman could be competant enough to recognize when a person is healthy, and not in need of medical assistance, and I should hope that anyone who does so does not have their name and reputation as mine have been through the heartless beast of this government agency. Beyond destroying my sanity and myself esteem as well as future employment opportunities, my excitement about my birth is now gone and has been replaced by a fearful renunciation of the certainty I felt when she was born: that I was empowered and that I had created something magical, transcendent, amazing, perfect. That my body had performed exactly as it was created, in its own natural rhythm, according to its own sweet time. That I had channeled this new being through the vehicle of my own body, this new being a mystery revealed.
Just as they took Georgia O'Keefe's flowers and twisted them into something sexual, they have taken my beautiful and empowering birth and twisted it into something unnatural, something gruesome, morbid, demeaning and out of touch with the natural world, when the intuition of birth is something only a transcendent spirit can unite with (but never control).

[yvonnemlv]

*hugs* I wish I could offer more.

[Lizzie9984]

Ugh, so vile, so very very vile. One of the many reasons I hate how this country is run---seizing kids for asinine, unfounded reasons like that garbage....

[Romana]

I am so sorry you're going through this. I am always in shock at the nightmare they put some parents through when accross town a child is being beaten to death.

[Sheal]

I just wanted to say I envy your strength and persevearance and the fact you had a birth I so long for and will never have.

My heart breaks for you and your little girl. It's awful what they are doing to you. May light decend upon you and yours and the darkness receede from you.

Sheal

[PreggieUBA2C]

Cranberry, I just read your story and both my dh and I are just enraged and deeply saddened for you and your babe; what an evil has been committed against you and your sweet child! :

And LUNCH MEAT for an infant????!!!! Unbelievable.

Originally Posted by mrskennedy

While this too is true, they still can't remove the child unless neglect/abuse are PROVEN. Which they wouldn't be in most UC cases.

Why do you think this? It is sensible, but I can say for sure that where we live, the legislation regarding childcare workers in this field of employ is clear that the worker need only state with intent that s/he 'acted in good faith' in determining the course of action taken, even if that is removal; then it is up to the parents to prove that there wasn't any reason for the removal. If it was shown to be unnecessary or even of ill-intent or incompetence on the part of the social worker, there is no legal recourse whatsoever for the parents in investigating the worker or removing the parental records as reported by that worker. They may regain custody though, and that is the only possible bright light in the situation.




I have been wondering how a UC can be used as reason for investigation in places where a reason is required (not here, obviously) since as far as I am aware, an unborn child is not under the jurisdiction of the state. Here, a child is considered 'born' once s/he has emerged past the umbilicus. What that would mean to me is that if the child is born, and has no health issues, seeing a dr doesn't make sense and the immediate situation surrounding the child's birth is completely outside the jurisdiction of any court or social service agency, no? I'm just curious; it would seem that even mentioning the UC as initial cause for investigation would void the whole process (if a reason is required by legislation, that is- again, not here).

Are childcare workers given authority to make declarations and investigate pregnancy now? I know this has come up in other cases before (court-ordered c/s, for instance), but has been subsequently overthrown for the obvious legal and social implications.

Even though we have no legal recourse here, I would certainly be fighting the jurisdiction issue, one that falls outside the social workers' clauses. They cannot come and confiscate my pets or my vehicle or my husband, and they cannot make decrees regarding a child that hasn't yet been born, but again, once the child is born, they can do and say as they please... :

[Lizzie9984]

Originally Posted by PreggieUBA2C

Even though we have no legal recourse here, I would certainly be fighting the jurisdiction issue, one that falls outside the social workers' clauses. They cannot come and confiscate my pets or my vehicle or my husband, and they cannot make decrees regarding a child that hasn't yet been born, but again, once the child is born, they can do and say as they please... :

It's the epitome of a perverse and gross abuse of power ment to protect those truely in need of it---And that original meaning has long since been lost to these people. I really think it's become an issue of "chest puffing" and ego-stroking to abuse that power now.....It's sick, degrading, and ultimately, a humiliation to both us as a country, and as individuals.

[moonfirefaery]

Well, this reveals that while UC was the initial reason for the investigation, there were other concerns that led to their actions. It wasn't solely UC that prompted the removal of the child. They were concerned about the child's feeding and nutrition and her having been cold by their standards upon arrival at the hospital, as well as the OP's mental state. Whether these are legitimate or not remains to be seen. I would recommend that you do all you can to prove that you will meet all of your daughter's nutrition needs, as well as manage any mental conditions you may have. Good luck.

[mrskennedy]

cranberry99 to you and your daughter! I simply don't know what else to say... What you've been through most recently is beyond belief, beyond horrible...
I didn't see... Do you have a lawyer? Or perhaps several, who could consult true experts so the state knows you're indeed feeding your child appropriately, even if you're not giving her the specific foods they suggest, etc? You need people on your side--people with clout, degrees, reputations, etc, but who understand where you're coming from. It seems the state has everything, and you have nothing. And while you and your daughter are the victims here, you need to try to forget about that and be the strong, fighting mama you were meant to be. You'll need to grieve, and you'll need to heal. But now is the time to prove yourself and gather people who can vouch for you and your activities and competence as a mother. You need support IRL, and no one is going to just offer it. You have to find it. Then, maybe this whole thing will be at least a little easier. What a horrid nightmare!

[onelilguysmommy]

i read that and wow

i do want to say your birth sounds beautiful, and the guinea pig part is just precious! :

i hope you get this fixed, by finding some worker who knows the facts instead of being randomly "educated" and helps you guys out, you defiintely need it.

[mrskennedy]

Why did you take DD to the hospital or doctor--whichever one you did? The reason is no help now, of course, and I'm sorry for that. But I think part of the mistake some of us UC'ers make--myself included, as I did the same--is taking our perfectly healthy UC babies to a hospital or doctor.

[mrskennedy]

Cranberry, here's a page that may give you some insight into CPS, why they do things, what powers they have and don't have, and what you can do now that you're involved with them:
hhttp://www.justicewomen.com/tips_bewarechildprotectiveservices.html

[mrskennedy]

BTW, in your story you say, "I should have hired a doula." You need to know that a doula or even a midwife wouldn't change the outcome of your case-- esp. since you say there's an mw being prosecuted simultaneously.