Wednesday, January 7, 2009
VICTORY, SWEET VICTORY!!!!!!!
Today, Judge Ronald Kessler did the right thing and reunited the Stuth family!
CPS was flippin' mad....KING5 got it all and it is splashed across the evening TV news...and the family cried with tears of joy.
The judge was prepared to terminate but because the state lied to him he did not. He said the state erred by not placing first with the relatives. He said the mother had been wrongly classified with substance problems she did not have. He wants third party custody. (This is what the family had asked for in the first place!) He has given the Stuths one week to get the paper work ready.
Since Little Lisa was removed from the foster woman and is in emergency foster placement right now it just could be that there will be placement with the Stuths by the weekend. Please see KING5.com for tonight's story.
Blog your comments here and on KING5.
CPS was flippin' mad....KING5 got it all and it is splashed across the evening TV news...and the family cried with tears of joy.
The judge was prepared to terminate but because the state lied to him he did not. He said the state erred by not placing first with the relatives. He said the mother had been wrongly classified with substance problems she did not have. He wants third party custody. (This is what the family had asked for in the first place!) He has given the Stuths one week to get the paper work ready.
Since Little Lisa was removed from the foster woman and is in emergency foster placement right now it just could be that there will be placement with the Stuths by the weekend. Please see KING5.com for tonight's story.
Blog your comments here and on KING5.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
KING 5 TV Camera In Courtroom As WA State CPS Attacks Family
http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_010609INV_grandparents_foster_care_TP.44743f48.html
Washington State CPS aggressively moved to take little "Lisa" from her biological family again today. The state perpetuated lies about the grandparents who have no representation in court. And, I am sure the judge was never told about the serious medical records.
Judge Ronald Kessler let KING 5 News reporter Suzanna Frame in the courtroom. Viewing the link is a must. Thank God for the First Amendment. Word is that CPS was livid over the exposure. Government needs the light of day. There is almost nothing that can constrain CPS.
The grandparents have spent thousands of dollars to try to keep their family together. The deep pockets of the State of Washington are almost insurmountable.
Court continues tomorrow with the mother's attorney taking her shot at it. Go get 'em Ruth! And, thank you Suzanna and KING 5 News.
CPS...I will be sending this link to every state legislator, DSHS high-up, and print media.
And...coming up...it is reported that two babies in Region 5 died of shaken baby syndrome over the holidays. They were babies, reportedly, CPS gave back to their BAD families. Who the hell is the administrator out there? That is 12 dead for '08 by my count.
Washington State CPS aggressively moved to take little "Lisa" from her biological family again today. The state perpetuated lies about the grandparents who have no representation in court. And, I am sure the judge was never told about the serious medical records.
Judge Ronald Kessler let KING 5 News reporter Suzanna Frame in the courtroom. Viewing the link is a must. Thank God for the First Amendment. Word is that CPS was livid over the exposure. Government needs the light of day. There is almost nothing that can constrain CPS.
The grandparents have spent thousands of dollars to try to keep their family together. The deep pockets of the State of Washington are almost insurmountable.
Court continues tomorrow with the mother's attorney taking her shot at it. Go get 'em Ruth! And, thank you Suzanna and KING 5 News.
CPS...I will be sending this link to every state legislator, DSHS high-up, and print media.
And...coming up...it is reported that two babies in Region 5 died of shaken baby syndrome over the holidays. They were babies, reportedly, CPS gave back to their BAD families. Who the hell is the administrator out there? That is 12 dead for '08 by my count.
Monday, January 5, 2009
CPS To Ask For Termination Today, Tuesday, In The Case Of Little Lisa
KING 5 TV will be in Judge Ronald Kessler's courtroom at 9 AM. The fate of 3 year-old Lisa, her 19 year-old mother, and the Grandparents Stuth will be determined.
A crushing decision that would impact the lives of four people forever...could be made. Lisa's mother has not been perfect. During the past six months she did not report for one "pee" test...which is regarded as a positive.
(As a side note. I have a copy of a recent Seattle Times article re: one mother, a drug addict, and three kids. The family is together and living in a rehab place. Lisa's mother is not a drug addict though listening to the AG and the CASA, and CPS you would think that. She is not an alcoholic either. She has in the past had some alcohol and marijuana...the same could be said of 40% plus of all teens in WA. The woman in the article is a hard core drug addict. I guess her kids are not wanted by the state. Maybe they are drug affected. Little Lisa is not.)
The foster woman and Lisa? Apparently, Lisa has JUST been placed in emergency foster care. Apparently, the little boy the state has placed with this single and working (and therefore absent during most of a small child's waking hours) woman, is in the hospital. This is being reported to me by a very reliable source.
Note: This is a situation where the foster woman has no back-up. This is not the first time she has relied on strangers in the state system to fill-in. Lisa is with a stranger...AGAIN! This is abuse in itself. At the hand of CPS she has been kept form those who love and have cared for her. The anguish that the state is causing the extended Stuth family can only be imagined. The state continues to persecute the mother, the Stuths, and the extended Stuth family by not allowing this little girl to have contact with her biological relatives. (Lisa has seen her grandparents maybe 7 hours in the last 12 months.)
QUESTION TO PARENTS: HOW "ORDINARY" DO YOU THINK IT IS THAT TWO CHILDREN IN THE CARE OF ONE LONER WOMAN WOULD BOTH BE HOSPITALIZED WITHIN A THREE MONTH PERIOD?
NOTE OF INTEREST: I RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM AN ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO SAID THE JUDGES HAD ALL THE MEDICAL RECORDS THAT THEY NEEDED...BUT SAID THE JUDGES WOULD HAVE TO ASK FOR MORE IF THEY THOUGHT THEY NEEDED IT. SAY WHAT?
I THINK THAT MEANS THE JUDGES DO NOT HAVE LISA'S MEDICAL RECORDS AND THAT CPS AND THE AG ARE NOT GOING TO PROVIDE THE RECORDS. THE MOTHER'S ATTORNEY CAN NOT PROVIDE THEM RE: COURT PROCEDURES. AND, THE JUDGES...IF THEY ASK IF THEY HAVE ALL THE MEDICAL RECORDS THEY NEED...ARE PRESUMABLY BEING TOLD..."WHY, YES, JUDGE. YOU HAVE ALL YOU NEED."
A crushing decision that would impact the lives of four people forever...could be made. Lisa's mother has not been perfect. During the past six months she did not report for one "pee" test...which is regarded as a positive.
(As a side note. I have a copy of a recent Seattle Times article re: one mother, a drug addict, and three kids. The family is together and living in a rehab place. Lisa's mother is not a drug addict though listening to the AG and the CASA, and CPS you would think that. She is not an alcoholic either. She has in the past had some alcohol and marijuana...the same could be said of 40% plus of all teens in WA. The woman in the article is a hard core drug addict. I guess her kids are not wanted by the state. Maybe they are drug affected. Little Lisa is not.)
The foster woman and Lisa? Apparently, Lisa has JUST been placed in emergency foster care. Apparently, the little boy the state has placed with this single and working (and therefore absent during most of a small child's waking hours) woman, is in the hospital. This is being reported to me by a very reliable source.
Note: This is a situation where the foster woman has no back-up. This is not the first time she has relied on strangers in the state system to fill-in. Lisa is with a stranger...AGAIN! This is abuse in itself. At the hand of CPS she has been kept form those who love and have cared for her. The anguish that the state is causing the extended Stuth family can only be imagined. The state continues to persecute the mother, the Stuths, and the extended Stuth family by not allowing this little girl to have contact with her biological relatives. (Lisa has seen her grandparents maybe 7 hours in the last 12 months.)
QUESTION TO PARENTS: HOW "ORDINARY" DO YOU THINK IT IS THAT TWO CHILDREN IN THE CARE OF ONE LONER WOMAN WOULD BOTH BE HOSPITALIZED WITHIN A THREE MONTH PERIOD?
NOTE OF INTEREST: I RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM AN ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO SAID THE JUDGES HAD ALL THE MEDICAL RECORDS THAT THEY NEEDED...BUT SAID THE JUDGES WOULD HAVE TO ASK FOR MORE IF THEY THOUGHT THEY NEEDED IT. SAY WHAT?
I THINK THAT MEANS THE JUDGES DO NOT HAVE LISA'S MEDICAL RECORDS AND THAT CPS AND THE AG ARE NOT GOING TO PROVIDE THE RECORDS. THE MOTHER'S ATTORNEY CAN NOT PROVIDE THEM RE: COURT PROCEDURES. AND, THE JUDGES...IF THEY ASK IF THEY HAVE ALL THE MEDICAL RECORDS THEY NEED...ARE PRESUMABLY BEING TOLD..."WHY, YES, JUDGE. YOU HAVE ALL YOU NEED."
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Children Are Taking Care Of Parents At An Earlier Age
As reported by my daughter-in-law in their family letter...(Sadie is 3):
12/8
At our church Christmas party, John was the Shepard in a little nativity play. Sadie saw John up front and noticed that he didn't have any sheep. She ran up to him and loudly said: "Daddy, I'm going to be your sheep!" Then she crawled around him for for ten minutes.
12/8
At our church Christmas party, John was the Shepard in a little nativity play. Sadie saw John up front and noticed that he didn't have any sheep. She ran up to him and loudly said: "Daddy, I'm going to be your sheep!" Then she crawled around him for for ten minutes.
Jett Travolta...The Risk Of Loving Is Universal
Jett Travolta was, with his disabilities, one of the innocents that blessed the lives of those who knew him. And, because of family fame, the world is reminded again that once a child is born a door is opened and in comes a new person to love and cherish. And, with love comes the risk of losing.
Since the beginning of our Mideast conflicts I have had the following news clip on my refrigerator door:
Last summer our family lost a very much loved young man, too. He died as a result of a car accident after falling asleep at the wheel. Parents should never outlive a child. My heart goes out to the Travolta family and to all families who through accident, act of war, self-inflictions, or criminal actions lose a child. God bless the families. They need comfort as they mourn.
Since the beginning of our Mideast conflicts I have had the following news clip on my refrigerator door:
'He was the most treasured thing I could give my country. I
want people to know the sacrifices he made.'
(Ricky Crose, on his 22-year-old son, Sgt. Bradley Crose, who died in the bloodiest operation of the War in Afghanistan. The elder Crose, his voice breaking, said he wanted his son buried at Arlington National Cemetery.)
Last summer our family lost a very much loved young man, too. He died as a result of a car accident after falling asleep at the wheel. Parents should never outlive a child. My heart goes out to the Travolta family and to all families who through accident, act of war, self-inflictions, or criminal actions lose a child. God bless the families. They need comfort as they mourn.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
2009 Legislative Proposals Will Reflect My Findings About CPS Operations
While there are many good people working to help families and save children in our state...there are many cases where because of poor leadership, lack of accountability, and what can only be assessed as hidden agendas ...CPS too often just doesn't get it right.
Apparently, my writing about the facts has made some people very angry. They are working over-time to "get back at me" for daring to talk about things that need to be corrected in government. It reminds me of Lisa's foster care provider who, instead of supporting the law regarding relative placement, has assumed the child is hers. And, has complained about my belief that families come first. You see, I support the law that says children should be placed first with qualified family members. And, I believe legislators should try to hold government accountable when it acts outside of the letter and spirit of the law.
For the record...I have been told by several different people that once termination is the goal that does not change. Only a judge can change that. That is also absurd! Anyone who goes down the wrong road can change course. I have found that our CPS apparently never thinks it goes down a wrong road. We just need to read the papers to see how wrong they can be! There are several powerful people who want to punish me for having this political opinion and articulating the opinion.
Little Lisa's foster care provider, her brother's wife (having surfaced in this blog and KING TV's), and several government officials have, instead of addressing the law...chosen to defend the foster mother and argue that she is a fit person to take the child. In my opinion...she should not have had the toddler in the first place! It is cheating and if I had my way it would be illegal, to take a child from a family without following the law. They don't care about that law. I do.
One of my fellow senators commented to me that CPS line workers only last an average 1 and 1/2 years on the job. I have not checked that out. But, I was told that again the other day. Where is the survey on the poor job satisfaction? What is going on in that department? For the senate leadership onlookers of this blog...why aren't you asking the same things? Instead of helping to cure this mess you would rather vilify me...take me to the cleaners...run me out of office...perhaps, rid your own conscience?
It is the policy of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Children and Families...to withhold positive in-home studies of fit relatives willing to care for their relative children. The information is not given to the court.
1. Judge Schaffer did not know about the positive in-home study of Lisa's aunt and uncle in ND. The judge was angry when she found out she had not been told and whipped around to the CASA and asked why she had not been told. I witnessed this. I was the one who told her...not the CASA, not the attorney general, not the social worker, not the attorney for the CASA, and apparently...not the attorney for the mother!
(Thank you, Judge Schaffer for allowing me to read a statement to your court. I appreciated that. And, given there were facts about the existence of the ND relatives that you had not been told I think it was the right decision on your part. I also think it was the right decision on your part to assign additional counsel to help the mother's attorney who was so clearly out numbered. We were so far down the line at that point I don't know if things evened up.)
2. I was told by a CPS worker that the policy is that in-home studies were not given to the judge until after termination.
3. The aunt in North Dakota also mentioned in her letter (reprinted here in PRR) that she had also been told that.
I was flabbergasted when I was told that. In fact, it made so little sense that I didn't believe it! But, turns out it is true. No one wanted to give me a written policy regarding the matter. But, it is apparently a matter of practice.
These are things I find out by asking questions. Unfortunately, I can't always get a straight answer so I have to dig a little further. To formulate legislation there has to be an understanding of the problems. God knows I wish there were not so many!
It is 3:07 AM, the first day of 2009. PR
Apparently, my writing about the facts has made some people very angry. They are working over-time to "get back at me" for daring to talk about things that need to be corrected in government. It reminds me of Lisa's foster care provider who, instead of supporting the law regarding relative placement, has assumed the child is hers. And, has complained about my belief that families come first. You see, I support the law that says children should be placed first with qualified family members. And, I believe legislators should try to hold government accountable when it acts outside of the letter and spirit of the law.
For the record...I have been told by several different people that once termination is the goal that does not change. Only a judge can change that. That is also absurd! Anyone who goes down the wrong road can change course. I have found that our CPS apparently never thinks it goes down a wrong road. We just need to read the papers to see how wrong they can be! There are several powerful people who want to punish me for having this political opinion and articulating the opinion.
Little Lisa's foster care provider, her brother's wife (having surfaced in this blog and KING TV's), and several government officials have, instead of addressing the law...chosen to defend the foster mother and argue that she is a fit person to take the child. In my opinion...she should not have had the toddler in the first place! It is cheating and if I had my way it would be illegal, to take a child from a family without following the law. They don't care about that law. I do.
One of my fellow senators commented to me that CPS line workers only last an average 1 and 1/2 years on the job. I have not checked that out. But, I was told that again the other day. Where is the survey on the poor job satisfaction? What is going on in that department? For the senate leadership onlookers of this blog...why aren't you asking the same things? Instead of helping to cure this mess you would rather vilify me...take me to the cleaners...run me out of office...perhaps, rid your own conscience?
It is the policy of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Children and Families...to withhold positive in-home studies of fit relatives willing to care for their relative children. The information is not given to the court.
1. Judge Schaffer did not know about the positive in-home study of Lisa's aunt and uncle in ND. The judge was angry when she found out she had not been told and whipped around to the CASA and asked why she had not been told. I witnessed this. I was the one who told her...not the CASA, not the attorney general, not the social worker, not the attorney for the CASA, and apparently...not the attorney for the mother!
(Thank you, Judge Schaffer for allowing me to read a statement to your court. I appreciated that. And, given there were facts about the existence of the ND relatives that you had not been told I think it was the right decision on your part. I also think it was the right decision on your part to assign additional counsel to help the mother's attorney who was so clearly out numbered. We were so far down the line at that point I don't know if things evened up.)
2. I was told by a CPS worker that the policy is that in-home studies were not given to the judge until after termination.
3. The aunt in North Dakota also mentioned in her letter (reprinted here in PRR) that she had also been told that.
I was flabbergasted when I was told that. In fact, it made so little sense that I didn't believe it! But, turns out it is true. No one wanted to give me a written policy regarding the matter. But, it is apparently a matter of practice.
These are things I find out by asking questions. Unfortunately, I can't always get a straight answer so I have to dig a little further. To formulate legislation there has to be an understanding of the problems. God knows I wish there were not so many!
It is 3:07 AM, the first day of 2009. PR
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