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

[MYSONSDAD]

Something in your post is very troubling, you admit the parents of these boys have 'problems'. The parents of the boys need to grow up and take responsibity, make true changes in their life style. It is their actions and choices that have made these children victims to the system.

Having a relative willing to step forward, is a Godsend, it would be so much better then a life in foster care. Any chance the entire family could put their best foot forward and help out? A real home is built with love, not how much room you have.

I sent you some information in a private e-mail. Not for the parents, but for the boys and the honest person behind this post. Hopefully, you and your wife can find a way to give those children a childhood.

Yes, the system needs improvement beyond words, but without the details and evidence, you might not know what your getting into. And I hope for those boys, the parents can clean up their act. Have real issues on abuse and neglect. Kids deserve better.

I would also edit your post and  not use names and phone numbers.

Anyone here can contact you thru a PM.

Here is a petition for a Congressional inquiry into DCF and CPS.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/253404476?ltl=1115088045

[wendl]

DO your brother and sister in law want to give up their children for adoption???

Has CPS given them things they must do, complete before the children can return (rehad, parnting classes, counseling???)

My friend is a CPS worker and they usually have some things they ask the parents to complete prior to just deciding to take their parental right away.

But again I do not know how TX works.

**These are my opinions, they are not legal advice**

[Sarahs_Dad]

>Something in your post is very troubling, you admit the
>parents of these boys have 'problems'.  The parents of
>the boys need to grow up and take responsibity, make
>true changes in their life style. It is their actions and
>choices that have made these children victims to the
>system.

I agree.  This is very true.

>Having a relative willing to step forward, is a Godsend,
>it would be so much better then a life in foster care.
>Any chance the entire family could put their best foot
>forward and help out? A real home is built with love,
>not how much room you have.

Due to my legal circumstances in my daughter's support and visitation case, my wife's lupus erythematosis, our own disabled 4-year-old, my parents-in-law's M.S. and post-polio, and my oldest nephew's severe bahavioral/mental illnesses, we are just not realistically able to take in the boys.   We have stepped into uncertainty and are helping and supporting our nephews in other ways.

>I sent you some information in a private e-mail. Not for
>the parents, but for the boys and the honest person
>behind this post.  Hopefully, you and your wife can find
>a way to give those children a childhood.

Thanks anyway, but I have not received your e-mail or info.  Two years ago my wife flew with our oldest nephew to CA, and her parents took in and hid-out our younger bephew, to elude CPS during one of my sister-in-law's many previous encounters with CPS.

>Yes, the system needs improvement beyond words, but
>without the details and evidence, you might not know what
>your getting into.

Thanks for understanding.  We have acquired more documentation and information about the case last month since my first post about this.

>And I hope for those boys, the parents can clean up their
>act.  Have real issues on abuse and neglect. Kids deserve
>better.

I agree and hope so too.

>I would also edit your post and  not use names and phone
>numbers.   Anyone here can contact you thru a PM.

My sister-in-law wanted their contact info published.

>Here is a petition for a Congressional inquiry into DCF
>and CPS.
>http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/253404476?ltl=1115088045

Thanks for the link to the petition.

[Sarahs_Dad]

>DO your brother and sister in law want to give up their
>children for adoption???

No, but their attorney has about convinced them to, during upcoming mediation, give and sign away their demand for a jury trial and parental rights!

>Has CPS given them things they must do, complete before
>the children can return (rehad, parnting classes,
>counseling???) My friend is a CPS worker and they usually
>have some things they ask the parents to complete prior
>to just deciding to take their parental right away.

Yes, CPS has a "service plan," which includes classes, counseling, rehab, etc.

>But again I do not know how TX works.

Texas law has some odd terminology and other things compared to the few other states I'm familiar with.

>**These are my opinions, they are not legal advice**

Okay, good.  I wouldn't want the lawyers to be deprived any exclusive money-making opportunities.

[wendl]

If they do not want to give their chidlren up for adoption, I would suggest that they do exactly what is requested for them to do by CPS, counseling, parenting classes etc.

Do they have a court appointed attorney?? If so they need to get a different attorney.

Remind then these are still their chidlren until they give up all legal rights to them and it has been signed by the judge.


**These are my opinions, they are not legal advice**