I learned a valuable lesson earlier this week, or
should I say I relearned a valuable lesson earlier this week. I learned your
happiness and security can crumble around you in a matter of seconds. A lesson
I have learned several times in my life. A lesson I had forgotten. Our life was
torn asunder last Tuesday when a Greene County Juvenile judge threw a brick
wall into our path. Our lives shattered into a zillion pieces.
Christopher, our grandson, came into our life almost
two years ago after his mother made some unwise choices. We became his foster
parents at that time. For the last two years we have loved, cared for him while
his mother set her life in order. The prognosis for reunification was good. The
mother was told that all parties involved to regaining custody were moving
forward.
Our hearts broke when a Judge Jones gave custody to
Christopher’s father. This father has a major anger issue. This father has seen
his son one time since he was six months old. This father can’t seem to find
ten minutes a week to spent Skype time with his son, yet he thinks he will be
able to spend 24 hours a day raising his son. This father abused his son while
he was married to the mother.
How could this travesty happen? What was the judge
thinking? The fact of the matter is Christopher was on the role of Foster
Children of Missouri and the State paid $488 a month for his care. The mother was
not completely ready to take care of her child, so he arbitrarily decided to
give custody to an abusive stranger to get Christopher off of the roles and
save the State $488 a month.
We were not given a voice. We are willing and financially
able to care for him. But no, he is being forced away from all he has ever
known because of a judgment from a Judge thinking only about the bottom line.
His decision was not ‘what’s better for the child’; on the contrary it was “what’s
better for the state, the child be damned.’
Where is the justice for Christopher? Why should he
be a victim of the economy?
Raise your voice to the injustice if you are in the
Springfield Missouri area, hell raise your voice to this injustice if you are a
caring member of humanity. The bottom dollar should not be the deciding factor
when deliberating a child’s fate.
As for now we are shocked, numb, and outraged.
Dreaming is no longer fun.
I'm so sorry. It makes no sense. You wonder who is running these organizations.
ReplyDeleteThis is just sick and heart-breaking. Unfortunately, that's the way the destiny of many children in the foster system are decided. Is there any way you can have a lawyer appeal? I'm sure you've thought of all the options. Does the father really want the son or is it just false pride? Is there a way to talk to him directly and offer to keep Christopher while he visits with his father? Make him see that the boy is so used to being with you? I'm clutching at straws here, but perhaps there is a way.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you.
Christa
We have hired an lawyer, and trying to get the judge to change his mind. Crista you hit the nail on the head, the father wants him as a trophy. The father lives 1800 miles from us.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear this. My parents were foster parents for many children, and unforunately, the stories aren't always rosy. I'd definitely keep fighting - and wish you lots of strength and will-power to do it. But you'll definitely have to keep a close eye on Christopher (or stay in contact) and raise havoc if the father abuses him.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
the judge took one look at us and said "what are you doing here, the case has been decided." The father's past is a non-issue. He has kept his nose clean for the past 6 months.
ReplyDeleteThat is so difficult to understand. Prayers for Christopher's safety. How old is he? So sad...
ReplyDeleteChristopher is 3 years old
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you're going through this. My heart breaks and my sense of justice is outraged. Please keep fighting; don't give up. Friends of mine fought for over a year to keep a baby they'd adopted whose loser-dad resurfaced after the adoption and wanted the baby. The adoptive parents won the case, and the child is now theirs.
ReplyDeleteDon't give up!
This is so sad. Prayers sent your way.
ReplyDeleteDoris
Thanks Doris, Christopher is with his father 1800 miles away now. We hired an attorney, but the judge woulddn't let him speak. We are heartbroken, and helpless
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