A small victory for families in Minnesota yesterday, as a mother is reunited with her son after three months of separation by CPS.
Zayvion, a 1 year old boy was returned to Amanda Weber on September 11th, after being taken from his mother due to allegations of medical neglect.
The Minnesota CPS commissioner states that its customary to return children to parents on a judges order. You mean a real judge and not judicial officer?
"These very difficult decisions are not made lightly and are always made in the best interest of the children involved. If families don't cooperate, it is even more difficult," the statement said. "When judges, social workers and other professionals evaluate and decide reunification is safe and in the best interests of kids, the child welfare system routinely reunifies parents and children."
Emily Piper State Human Services Commissioner
There is an ongoing petition statewide that sports 1200 signatures and counting, of parents alleging abuses and the demand for state legislature to "get rid of CPS."
Another interesting parcel of information coming from Minnseotas Dept of Health and Human Services is that:
- there is a civilian panel consisting of 20 "parents" that conduct independant audits;
- Case Workers are to engage mothers as gatekeepers; build uniquely significant cases against fathers (by collecting information);
- CPS offices share information about investigations to other title IV branches and local governments
So one should begin to wonder, how did one family yet alone 1200 families fall through the cracks of civilian oversight? Could states adopt a policy placing title IV agencies under execitive branch (not independent) so FOIA requests could better assist in tracking (trafficking children)?
Let me know in you comments below what you think