Went out of town on a Sunday, left triplets with sister. Received a cell phone voice message from social service worker on Thursday, that was left Wednesday, stating that on Monday the state of LA took custody of my kids without doing an investigation or even speaking to us at all. we don't even live in the same state ! we are being told that this can happen , that someone can call and say that they believe that you are unfit and they can just take your kids without any proof of the accusations they not tell you and just leave a voice message  two days after court,they had a way to contact us at all times, any idea what we can do ? email if so thanks we are desperate. were good people , this was all done for money.
136484
It depends on your state (laws, policy, and practice).  In our state, we DO an investigation after receiving a report.  If maltreatment is found and the children are determined to be unsafe, we first ask for the parents to identify a safety resource (family or friend that can temporarily keep the children until children are determined to be safe).  If a safety resource can't be provided or if the parents cannot be located, only then will the state seek custody.  At that time, there will be a 3 day hearing that takes place somewhere between immediately and up to 3 days in which the court will determine whether the children should be in custody or not.  The parents go to this hearing.  If the judge does find that the children should stay in custody, there will be a 10 day hearing (also known as the adjudicatory hearing where the full evidence is heard).  At this time, the parents (and legal representatives) also appear, and the judge will make a determination.  As I said, it differs state to state, but call the local social services office and ask what your rights are as far as hearings, etc.  We notify our parents (so long as we know where to locate them), as it is important for their side to also be heard.  If we cannot locate the parents and take custody, it is still our responsibility to at least attempt to locate the parents daily.  Hope this helps!
478488
If this was only the first time, I would suggest you let it go, on the babysitters part.  Do you know what made her late in the first place?  Do you have a number for the sitter?  If not, get it.  Your ex should've kept her cell on or picked up when she isn't around her children, what if there was an emergency, you should address that with her.  You were right to call the police, to cover your own azz.  If you feel the need to get a new sitter then it would be best for the both of you to pick that person.
84125
The State appoints a guardian (usually a social worker or some kind of caseworker) to your children...this is the person who finds foster care or other placement for your children and makes sure their needs are being met while they are not in your care.  That person is required to always be vigilant as to which placement is best for the child including, and giving priority to, reunification which means giving the child back to you.  So, you need to keep in CONSTANT contact with that person and let them know you will cooperate to the fullest in getting your kids back ASAP.  If you do not have a good rapport with that person you also need to be in touch with their Supervisor and up the chain of command, because a different caseworker can be assigned.  You need to take advantage of any visitation you can get, and go to ALL family court hearings, with a lawyer if possible or if you can't afford one call the family court to enquire about Legal Aid or self-help.  Unless you get different advice from an attorney, it helps to work with the system (social workers, foster parents, etc.) not against them.
374573
First don't do anything without your friends permission.. I say this because your friend will need good friends like you no matter what the outcome is. I would talk to your friend tell him all the information you have gotten here ( it is good stuff ) then hopefully his decision will be to call child protective services - It is in the phone book under city or the state pages ( up front and marked by a colored edges. ) or call the operator and ask for the number., Wait till parents are gone or partying and call -maybe have an adult call if you can, explain what you did to us. The other option is to go to a school counselor and ask for help,explain what is going on and what your friend would like to happen, It may not make his parents happy in the beginning but hopefully they will realize that what they were doing was way wrong. maybe parenting classes,counseling and A.A. ordered by the court will help.School and a social worker will be able to help monitor his parents. I hope they will realize they have a very smart and loving son that wants the family to succeed, and that his choice in friends is superb. Good luck.
579719
First of all...I would report the other two idiots for their stupid "too long" answers. \n\nThen, I have to say.... AMEN to you. You are saying what a lot of us out there would like to say. I completely agree with you. They suck the welfare and help systems dry and abuse them and cry that they have no help from the other parent. BS - they can go out and get a job like the rest of us. I work hard to support their ungrateful butts and I hate it. We are non-custodial parents and we have to work a little harder because he pays child support but that's ok - they are beautiful children and it's THEIR money, NOT, their mother's. \n\nThat's another thing that these custodial parents don't understand that really bothers me the most, it's that the money that they get in child support is not for them. It's to support the children. Clothing, food, roof over their heads, etc. \n\nI guess I've ranted enough, thank you and I hope you are being heard.
149141
I think your right not to talk to her. Her actions were stupid and selfish. I recently had a similar situation in my family, a relative of mine had a pedophile boyfriend, she claimed she ended the relationship with him, but had obviously lied, because the man was arrested for molesting her boys. Shockingly no actions have been taken against her, she still has custody of her children. I heard that DCFS has 'black listed' her, and will be monitoring her closely, but I think she should have lost all of her children. She knew the man was a convicted sex offender and brought him into her home. Needless to say, I have nothing to do with her.
178114
Good lord I'm sorry you are going through this!  The authorities sound lame in your town...for shame on them!!\n\nI would suggest contacting the following in the largest city in your state because I'm sure they have the following organizations there:\n--abused women's service and other such orgs that help women in trouble( even if you haven't been abused yet) they can lead you in a good direction.  ask them about your legal rights and what to do if you are not being taken seriously.\n--teen and young adult groups that do the same\n--church services that can help with this(find a progressive not backwoods church..big city)  \n\n--civil right/liberties lawyers or free legal aid groups and ask them to advocate for you because you are not getting help for this. \n\nCan you talk to the chief of police?  speak honestly with them about how you are afraid for your life and that if something happened and nothing was done then it would not only be tragic but on the backs of the police departments lack of responsibility.  if they do nothing then in a sense they are enabling this creep to harass you.  \n\n--check out some copwatch groups.  groups that keep eyes on cops so they themselves are lawabiding and actually do the job they are supposed and not abuse the law.  again, civil liberty groups would know.  that way you can inform them of the lack of response by the cops so that if anything else happens you have proof and then more leverage. \n\nThere has got to be some source of support group or legal advice for something like this...what state do you live in??  try to answer back and I will look up some info for you?  this is serious and could get ugly if you don't have support.  \nJust watch your back and stay with people as often as you can so you are not vulnerable. If you don't have a roommate, get one!  Lights, dogs, security systems-whatever you need to feel safe in the meantime as you get help.   \n\n*last resort: Worse come to worse if no one takes you seriously after you try everything get some guy friends/brothers and well...have them pay him a visit some stormy night.  Nicely.  Capishe?\n\noh can you find out if he has a record or is on parole?  through the freedom of information act you can find this out.  if he does, he could be in some violation and you could anonymously report him or have him returned to wherever he crawled out from under..\n\nFor now, write back where you live and I can help you do research online.  I'm willing.  \npeace.\n\nHERE IS SOME INFO I FOUND FOR YOU: \nJUST CALL THEM AND TELL THEM YOUR SITUATION AND INSIST ON GETTING HELP.  TELL THEM YOU DON'T WANT TO END UP A STATISTIC.   \nhttp://www.aardvarc.org/dv/states/arkdv.shtml\nhttp://www.angelfire.com/me/Marshamellow/call.html\nhttp://www.usdoj.gov/ovw/\n\nTHESE SHOULD HELP FOR NOW.  JUST BE PROACTIVE, GET ON IT AND DON'T WAIT FOR OTHERS TO SAVE YOU.  WOMEN NEED TO LEARN TO SAVE THEMSELVES.  AND THAT'S OK.  REACH OUT BUT ALSO RELY UPON YOURSELF.  YOU COULD GET A CELL PHONE AND JUST SAVE YOUR GRANNIES PHONE FOR OUTGOING CALLS ONLY?? OR GET ANOTHER PRIVATE UNLISTED NUMBER AND AGAIN, LEAVE YOUR GRANNIES FOR OUTGOING ONLY.  HEY GOOD IDEA@!  TRY THAT.  \nMAKE SURE ALL YOUR LIGHTS AND LOCKS WORK WELL AROUND YOUR HOUSE AND LIKE THE OTHER GIRL SAID, GET A STUN GUN AND MAKE SURE YOU GET TRAINING ON IT.  DON'T WANT TO SHOCK YOURSELF! \nGOOD LUCK!!!
192206
Wow, I had one of these guys too...there are so many around it is unfortunate.  In my humble opinion, real people with issues get screwed because of dead beat dad and lying mothers.  There are so many guys that ditch a girl when she gets pregnant that when the court sees a guy who wants to be involved, they don't really care why. It's financial too..they figure if the guys is sending money, the state won't have to.  And so many women lie to get back at the guy, that we have lost our credibility in the courtroom.  I really feel for your situation.  Here is what I did..I spent years and thousands upon thousands of dollars trying to do the right thing through the court, and constantly getting told that I was wrong, etc...it made me crazy.  So, I just threw the door open to the guy..said lets stop fighting, this is ridiculous, neither of us can afford this, etc.  Said, visit whenever you want...and guess what?  Since the ball was in his court, he barely comes around anymore.  I don't know if you wish your children to have a relationship with their father or not...not that I think you wish them to not have a father, but if he is abusive, etc...I don't know what your situation is there, but this worked for me.  Best of luck to you, and hang in there.
415895
I don't know what I can say that will help you but I can reassure you that you are not the only one. My ex disappeared for the first 6 yrs of my son's life and then reappeared acting like he was the best dad in the world. He constantly contradicts what I say (ex.: my son has dental sealants and can not have sticky candy because it will rip them off but he insists my dentist is a head job who doesn't know what she is talking about, he also tells him he doesn't have to listen to the stupid things I say, that my son doesn't have to be responsible for anything -he's 10, and so on). He also created a tape using one of his friend's to play for my son. The contents consisted of this impersonator telling my ex that I did not love my son, I did not want my son, my ex could keep my son, etc. My ex also has no problem with my son seeing pornographic materials lying about his household. My son told of this and more to a Children and Youth Services agent who told me even though what my ex was doing was inappropriate it was abuse. Now for the grand finale, I stopped my ex from seeing my son for 3 months because he informed me he moved back in with his child molesting mother whom my son was to have no contact with and while the investigation was taking place and I was trying to modify the custody arrangement. During this time he filed contempt charges against me, initially sending to the wrong address (one that didn't even exist) so I missed the first hearing. I later received a visit from a constable telling me if I didn't go to the next one I would be sentenced to jail. I had proof that he sent it to the wrong address before we had the hearing. At the hearing my ex couldn't decide where he was living or for what amount of time, stated I had denied him my son longer that occured, and brought forth info that his mother was recently forgiven for molesting her sons (my ex and his brother). The judge decided that he knew my ex had lied about the extended time but I was also in the wrong because I should have known (even though I lacked the resources to find out and frankly my ex should have informed me since he knew, I forgot we are still supposed to wipe their asses even after we are no longer together) that his mother was forgiven for her most heinous act and that he was no longer living with her. Never mind the fact that we had contact since I stopped letting him take him  and my ex could have mentioned it, never mind the fact that my ex couldn't even figure out where he was living, and never mind the fact that not once did I tell my ex he could not see him, that he could not take him, I WAS STILL IN THE WRONG. I was in the wrong for trying to protect my son. My fiance summed it up nicely, the courts are currently favoring the men. The court does not take the child's welfare into consideration just what they want as they are deciding.
620634
hello there. I have fears just as you do. I have a now 6 year old son with epilepsy who after all these years I am being told I have to do a paternity test. The father told me if it ever came to this that he would fight me all the way and take my son who he's never been a part of his life away from me. I refused to pursue with the dna test but was told if I didn't the state would. This terrifies me so much. I absolutely know what your fears are. As for can a judge do this?. I was always told a judge couldn't try a case unless both parties have an attorney. Did you sign away your rights to an attorney? If so then the judge does have the right to make this decision especially if this is what the child wants. If your child didn't want to go then the judge should not have sent him to this abuser. I would appeal the case for the best interests of your child, especially since this guy was an abuser. Make sure when you go back to court to have an attorney, and all paperwork(police reports,etc) showing that this abuse was going on.  Let me know if I can help anymore . Blue27:birdlover272006@yahoo.com
391247
I agree with you completely.I never had to go through custody hearings myself,as my ex just dropped off the face of the earth.But,I went through this process with my best friend.It went on for years.Her husband was a wife and child abuser with numerous police reports files on him.He always said he would kill them all if they left.Finally,after he raised a shovel to hit one of his children with it and my friend stepped in instead,she finally had the good sense to leave this man.It was always used against her in court that she took her children and ran and he didn't know where they were for about a week.HE ended up getting custody of both of these children after years and years of fighting.Very sad,both of these children are now on medication for mental problems.I just couldn't believe just where these judges heads were.I think he was given priority because he was in the military,but these children's lives were ruined by the stupid decision of all of these judges,and over the years there were more than one.Why a judge would give custody of two little girls to a known abuser is beyond me.They should be held accountable for their decisions,especially when the outcome should be obvious to any normal person.
326405
girl back off and take a look at him. no joke, my ex/and baby's dad, said the same to me. i have had him arrested twice, since sept. 2005, and i have a 1 year restraining order on him and a no contact order against his dad's ex girlfriend, who considers herself his step mother. he's never seen my daughter, and never will! watch out
112233
get a new number and only give it to people who ABSOLUTELY need it.  or screen your calls.  also, i'd consider get a restraining order, seriously.  i had a bf once who's ex called CONSTANTLY, it was bad, we contacted a lawyer and managed to get an order stating she had to leave us alone, because she was stalking us.
435906
What do the orders say? There would normally be a hearing scheduled. If not, you should schedule one and explain what happened. The basis for the temporary custody is gone.\n\nBut you should never let such an order go unanswered as it could come back to harm you later on. Having the temporary custody order dissolved will help you later if you need to argue that a future claim for custody is frivolous and harassing.
568847
First off, I hope this turns out okay for your daughter and family. I would do a couple things.  I would change all of the phone numbers to be unlisted and put the phone feature on the phones that traces calls.  If he calls and you don't want him doing it then you could press the *?? and  the phone co. trace the calls.  At least that would be proof from the phone company of all the calls.  Second, go to the police and press charges of stalking, harassment or whatever they will be willing to do and also file a restraining order against him and possible his older brother because he is driving.  If he breaks the RO then he could be arrested.  If all else fails, then go find a lawyer, prosecutor or victim advocate that might help your daughter out.\n\nI do have a question for you and maybe its something that you haven't thought about, but why hasn't someone done something about a 14 year old not being in school?  Even though he was kicked out, isn't he supposed to go to an alternative school or somewhere else?  That might be a starting point too.
608837
Which parent has custody?  These visitation rights sound horrible.  Also $250 for child support for 2 kids is a drop in the bucket.  What's up with that?  I hope this isn't something the court set up and if it is they need to go back to court and get it straightened out.  Are they just selfish?  Surely they (the parents) see what they're doing to these kids?
84004
IF your asking this question, then I assume you had your children removed.  If this happened, there was a reason.  Child Protective Workers do not snatch children just for the fun of it.  If your children were removed, all you have to do is make the necessary improvements in your life situation and your children will be returned to you by the court.