When CPS Attacks!

[Sarahs_Dad]

      My nephews, 8 and 4, in Houston (Baytown) have been taken by CPS and put into foster care where they have been for over a year now. It all started at the end of 2004 with an ADHD/special education-needs / truancy situation with the school.  The local TV news covered that story.  Then the school saw the oldest nephew's bruised arm and (partially out of retaliation) called CPS who interviewed him and later with a cop removed him and his younger brother from their apt.  Since then we've had to celebrate their birthdays during supervised visitations at Burger King.  CPS and the court wants to terminate my brother-in-law's and sister-in-law's parental rights due to alcohol/drugs and abuse/neglect.  I certainly don't like CPS's and the court's assumption of guilt, refusal of all due process, other constitutional protections and rights, lack of evidence requirement, arrest or search warrants, etc.  The parents and the kids all have been appointed attorneys ad litem.

       Astoundingly, it seems due to guilt and stress the parents have or will waive their right to a jury trial, their parental rights, and consent to adoption or continued foster care! There's another court date soon this Spring, which I plan, and would like any supporters also, to attend. It's in Harris County, 315th District.  The whole case is set for dismissal by August 11 and then the boys probably will be either permanently adopted or bounced from one foster home to another the rest of their childhood.  CPS and my sister-in-law want the boys to stay with me and my wife, but my family already has too much to cope with and not enough resources and room to take care of them.  I've gotten copies of some of the court orders in their case just last weekend, but I may not ever know the complete details, evidence and facts.  Supposedly they have gotten off drugs and stopped drinking.  I care about my little nephews and our corrupt injustice system.  So I'd appreciate any links or material about CPS/TPR you may have or know of.

       My brother-in-law and sister-in-law welcome any and all help and info they can get.  They ask those who want to help to please call or email them at:
    Sandy & Krista Rakestraw
    Baytown, Texas
    DopeyRakestraw at AOL.com
    832-262-6745    

       Sincerely,
       Kinley Hardin

[olanna]

but I ask you to refrain from posting these kinds of requests on this board and instead, post this on the general issues board. This board is dedicated to issues that directly relate to non-custodial mothers.

Thanks,

Olanna, board moderator

[Sarahs_Dad]

My sister-in-law is also a non-custodial mother of two more sons whom she lost custody to her ex-husband in a divorce of a previous marriage in Indiana.  (He had an attorney; she didn't have one, by the time of and during the final ruling.)  CPS in TX discovered that fact and is using that against her in the current court case.