Posted on 02/16/2008 1:53:11 PM PST by BlessedBeTheName
Hello. I am a long time lurker here going back to 1998. This is my first post and one I am writing somewhat in desperation. I am a Christian who is the father of six kids ranging in age between 1yr. to 16yrs old.
Almost a month ago my 8 year got the idea she was going to walk to see her mother at her job about five miles from our home. I was upstairs at the time trying to get my 1 year old (who was being really fussy) to sleep. She got about 2 miles before found by the police. Thankfully she was ok except for a minor cut. In my 16 years as a perent I have never had anything like this happen before.
Not knowing what to do and being told by the officer that it would be filed to the DA, we got a lawyer. A week had gone by with nothing being filed by the police who I was told filed cases weekly.
My lawyer then called the police and the next day cps showed up at our house. After calling my lawyer they said they expected that and we set up a meeting with cps at the lawyers office. My wife and I were interviewed and then they interviewed the kids separetly and took pictures. The cps worker said she would call us that week to set up a time to do a home visit and she also wanted some numbers to people we know.
It has been almost two weeks since the meeting and the women from cps has not called us or any of the people who we gave phone numbers for. We have not heard anything from anyone.
My lawyer said they are trying to appease the police dept. so that they will not file the case. My lawyer seems to be wanting me to take parenting classes and wants my daughter who did this to undergo a psychological exam and get counseling.
I have heard horror stories about cps so we really want to have as little as possible to do with them. My lawyer seems to think that it would be ok to enter into a service plan with them. I have heard bad things about these service plans and that cps can use this to take your kids away.
That is pretty much where we are at. I have prayed for God to give me guideance with this, but as of now I am not sure what to do. We do not have the money for another lawyer.
I know there are alot of freepers with many different backgrounds so I wanted to post this to see what some of you thought. Any prayers for my family would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry if this is posted in the wrong forum. If so please move to appropriate forum.
Thanks.
Prayers for you and your family.
Prayers up for you and your family. And welcome to FR.
Mine skipped off to play ball about the same age...but forgot to tell me...as he usually did. Kids do these things. They'll see it when they are parents. How I wish I had called my mom many more times than I did but I have to live with my regrets.
Prayers for you and your family.
What ever you do, do not tell the CPS Worker that you are a Christian. Instead, tell them that you are Muslim and that as part of your faith you cast your daughter out into the streets and that your wife is working outside the home because she dishonored you.
You may win some Father of the Year award from the Liberals at CPS.
I have a friend in W.VA that went through a CPS scare about two years ago. Her child (7 at the time) had chipped a tooth during football practice, because of the way he fell he also received a black eye. The school nurse called CPS (she did not even bother to talk to the parents, who are both teachers).
CPS call my friend for a phone interview, then did a home visit, and talked to friends. The entire process took about six weeks. She, of course, was a nervous wreck the entire time. It turned out ok, as they are good parents - but was a horrible time for the family.
IMPO - I would not take the parent classes or have your daughter undergo a psychological exam and get counseling, that makes it look like there might be a problem.
Be patient. This is a pain in the rear, but will soon be over.
Wow! You’re living what is becoming every parents’ deepest fear: That somehow we come under the microscope of the government’s family and children services.
It’s easy to say “fill the sandbags, stockpile the ammo and fend off the government henchmen when they come to take your kids.” However, the best advice is probably to do what your lawyer told you to do, play their game and pray to God that they don’t decide to make an example out of you for having a child who does what kids do.
Mine wander off all the time.
Children do this all of the time.
Prayers for your peace.
May I rant just a little first?
What in heaven's name is so terribly wrong about an 8 year old trying to walk five miles? If she was going through a crack neighborhood or something, well maybe ... This is a TERRIBLE indictment of, well, I don't know what but of something. Yeah, We'll be praying. A whole decade of the Rosary going up with your family on it. This is crazy. I'm so sorry.
I could see going to a decent pastor and getting the name of a sane pshrink (if any) who would talk to our daughter for 15 minutes and pronounce her well, AND a sane "parenting teacher" who would do more or less the equivalent for you.
Terrific. We now have a society in which, if an 8 year old shows a little enterprise and self-reliance a whole bunch of professionals get their knickers in a serious twist. FABulous.
What state do you reside in and what type of work do you and your wife do. Sounds like a crazy question , but, not realy.
Hey mom, how’s the crew?!
Hey - all is good here. How are you & the Mrs.?
All good here also. I think it is time for a get together though, been a while.
Thank all of you for your prayers.
Thanks for your reply. The waiting and not knowing how this will turn out is unnerving. My lawyer said if I do not follow his advice then he will no longer represent me. Maybe that would be for the better, I don’t know.
You rascal!!/LOL
Prayers up!!
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