GA HOMESCHOOL EMERGENCY: CHILD TAKEN BY SOCIAL SERVICES IN ATHENS!

self

[hsmomx3]

I received the following from a fellow homeschooler who resides in Georgia.

Importance: High

Please read this email carefully - and if you can help this afternoon in any way, please contact me for more details. Many of you may know Susan Cruz and her son David Cruz.

This morning, Social Services arrived at the door of a homeschooling family in Athens. There was a complaint filed that the family was isolating their son because they were homeschooling, that they were staying up till all hours of the night, etc. Social Services demanded that the family produce their son and only child who is 13 years old.

The mother said that no, she would not produce her son, and that she would be glad to meet Social Services at the courthouse with her attorney (she does not have one because they don't have the money). Social Services said no, that she had to produce her son. When the mother again refused, Social Services returned with the authorities and took custody of Susan's son. She was told that she has a hearing at the Oconee County Courthouse at 4 PM TODAY!

Here are some immediate needs:

1. If ANYONE at all can show up at the courthouse for this hearing so that we can show the judge that there are many homeschoolers in the area - that would be much appreciated. We're especially looking for those in the western Gwinnett and Oconee area.

2. All prayers and support would be appreciated.

If you can help this family at all by attending, please email me or call me ASAP for directions and more information. There but for the grace of God go any of us.

[ladysusan]

Contact a competent attorney immediately. DO NOT accept counsel from the state.

[TheDon]

http://www.hslda.com

[amordei]

Ping for later reference.

[ladysusan]

This is so **** typical. They snatch the kid and give you four hours warning before court

[Bikers4Bush]

Are we still living in America or is this China?

Just curious.

[CFW]

I'm forwarding this to my b-i-law whose wife homeschools their three children here in Athens.

[HenryLeeII]

I will keep the family in my prayers. Do any Freepers with knowledge of the laws in Georgia know if the family could sue for misuse of authority, unlawful seizure of the child, etc.?

[CFW]

Also, it's gonna be hard to find an attorney in Athens, because so many are leaving to head to Florida for the Florida/Georgia game.

Let me think.....who might be around.

[chance33_98]

Ping

[ladysusan]

This is a typical CPS tactic. Snatch and run, give the parents no time to prepare for court. You better believe that CPS will have their legal docs ready. Best thing to do is to get thes people the best attorney money can buy, pronto, and alert the media.

[ladysusan]

You need a family law person.

[T Minus Four]

You know, if their only real complaint is that they have the child up very late, well, if he doesn't have get up early to attend public school in the morning, who gives a flying eff what hours he sleeps, and what hours he's awake?

[Robert A Cook PE]

Heard anything about the background of this case?

(Something smells fishy: Pulling a kid because they're UP LATE?)

[ladysusan]

It hardly matters what the complaint is. Once they snatch the kid, the B******T begins. They took the kid so they can farm him out for federal money. These parents will go bankrupt trying to defend themselves, and their son will end up adopted by strangers.

Best thing to do: Get a competent attorney, now. Alert the media.

[CFW]

Eric Krasle. He likes to take on the "establishment". His number is (706)353-0032.

[Middle Man]

Not much immediate help, but here's a story in which Ohio social workers tried the same gestapo-style tactics and got smacked down by a federal judge. So your friends the Cruzes at least have some legal precedent that may help them when they file a complaint and go to court. I will follow this case with great interest.

[CFW]

Another one is John Timmons. Great guy with a big heart. (706)549-0010.