Keep Family Integrity out of court and out of the hands of corrupt DCFS social workers
When I gave birth to my daughter. We had conflicting positive toxicology results-
I did not use any substances during my pregnancy. I was exposed to illegal substances during a traffic stop, a week prior; at 8 months pregnant.
I feared for my daughter’s health due to this exposure, It was not an intentional act of harm against my child. The sheriffs department had me sign a “hold harmless agreement” (but years after the incident) exposure was accidental.
I feared I would not be able to parent my child due to the consequences of this ticket, should the sheriff’s department file charges against me. This would prevent me from being able to raise my baby myself, and should that happen, I planned to have my mother adopt or take guardianship of my daughter. But at this time-
It was not a conviction- merely a ticket.
I had partial prenatal care- I didn’t know I was pregnant. It wasn’t until I was almost 6 months that I realized she was there. I still wasn’t showing yet, but I started to feel a flutter inside of me. At 7 months I started showing and found out I was having a girl. My mom and I agreed to name her Sarah. She was strong, I felt her doing summer-salts inside the womb.. and when I glided my fingers across my tummy, Sarah would respond by gliding her fingers across my tummy, from the inside. I knew she was going to be a smart girl. I knew we were going to be okay.
Sarah was born healthy 7lbs 8oz 20inches long. No signs of any harm, no abuse, no withdrawal symptoms, and APGARS were good.
A nurse in the hospital, was mandated by law to report the positive toxicology results. This brought a social worker to the hospital, whom stood at the foot of my hospital bed and asked me several invasive questions. I was under a lot of stress. I had just given birth, and with the recent events happening just a week before; I became overwhelmed. The social worker pressured me to answer very personal questions at the time of my daughter’s birth, this social worker had no business pressing me to answer, and it was inappropriate, and irrelevant for the circumstances. I had no idea that her intentions were to make a case against me.
Dcfs detained my daughter while we were still in the hospital, and at 2 days old, DCFS placed her in a foster home.
I’ve never parented my child, or had her in my care. With the exception of- in utero.
Allegations of abuse were made using falsified facts surrounding a protected class of information. It stated that I posed a risk of harm to my child, that I was dangerous and could not care for my child due to mental illness, and was not taking prescribed medication.
These statements are not true and did not represent my current mental health status. Although I was under a great deal of stress, i was not mentally ill. The report was made based upon an event from my childhood- when I was a minor- just 12 years old.
This information was misconstrued and was twisted in ways that should not have been. Being used as evidence against me as an adult.
These allegations were based upon a protected class of information that would constitute discrimination with some degree of prejudice that would present me falsely.
I was a 26-year-old, pregnant, female whom (as a minor) had briefly been on antidepressants, and was diagnosed with depression. This was a temporary condition that had resolved- and only occurred during my childhood.
The basis of the allegations were outlined by HIPPA protected health information- dating back to when I was a minor. (15 years earlier).
The social worker perpetrated undue interference with a biological families right to parent their child, preventing access, and this is a violation of law.
The basis of the allegations were drawn through an invasion of my rights to privacy, health records, educational records- and according to the law this is both a 504 violation, and unconstitutional as there is no proof of the risks that were stated in the allegations. 300A -300B -300c.
Having had depression as a minor, is not the equivalent to having a present day issue. That was a falsified insertion. There was no evidence nor any basis for this, and it is not the equivalent to having a current mental illness or disability- none of this would prevent me from being able to provide safety and care to my child.
But since we’re gonna go into that, I would like to clarify a few things…
I had no control over what happened to me as a minor. I responded as appropriately as anyone would. The period of depression I experienced as a minor did resolve, and medication were discontinued before I turned 16 years old. I did so under the direction of a doctor- while living at Vista Del Mar. I did not just stop taking them on my own.
It was no longer necessary.
I was living in a therapeutic environment that encouraged healing from trauma, and my goals while in placement were to recover from depression caused by an occurrence I endured at age 5.
After being discharged from Vista Del Mar- I continued on to graduating from Diamond Bar and completing an associate degree in Cosmetology. Still holding licensure.
I have no history of living in uninhabitable conditions, no history of having a lengthy mental illness such as a diagnosis of having a “serious” psychiatric or psychotic disorder requiring medication, no ongoing need for medication, no treatment for such a thing was necessary- Nor do I have any history of being dangerous or violent; not as a minor, and not even as an adult. I have no prior record of child abuse filed against me.
This is my first child, and my only child.
Additionally, At the time of the birth of my daughter; I had no criminal record, and there was no evidence to suggest that I had ever been a habitual drug user.
When the government intrudes on the parent-child relationship, it implicates a fundamental liberty interest of the parent who loses custody, and risks liability for having caused such a deprivation wrongly; on the other hand, the parental interest must be balanced against the state's interest in protecting children suspected of being abused.
CIVIL RIGHTS - Parent and Child.
County children and youth services' separation of mother and newborn child violated mother's substantive due process rights.
-Reardon v. Midland
The law also states- One toxicology result is not a sufficient basis for allegations of abuse to arise.
A positive toxicology screen at the time of the delivery of an infant is not in and of itself a sufficient basis for reporting child abuse. However, any indication of maternal substance abuse shall lead to an assessment of the needs of the mother and child pursuant to Section 123605 (below) of the Health and Safety Code. If other factors are present that indicate risk to a child, then a child abuse report must be made.
A report based on risk to a child which relates solely to the inability of the parent to provide the child with regular care due to a parent's substance abuse shall be made only to a county welfare department and not to law enforcement. (P.C. 11165.13)
I went in to the Glendora DCFS to try and visit with my daughter. She was not there.
I spoke with CSW Shante Clark.
I provided the CSW Shante Clark copies of the police report for the ticket i received when I was pregnant. By that time, charges were filed for the ticket I had received when I was pregnant. I told the social worker I had anticipated that I would be going to jail, and I wanted my daughter placed with my mom.
I had prepared for the case and retained a criminal defense attorney matter.
I visited the dcfs office, once again, and again i was not able to see my daughter.
Four months had passed. I incurred my first arrest.
Once I was incarcerated. I continued to call the GLENDORA DCFS from the pay phone at CRDF- I called and left numerous voicemails for Shante Clark- and Leticia Najera. Voicemail after voicemail, I left voicemails for both of them. I filled a guardianship form and had my mom fax the document to the Glendora DCFS, addressed to the social worker- Shante Clark.
I wanted MGM to take guardianship of my daughter. I have receipt of this fax.
The receptionist at DCFS that would initially answer my calls and transfer me to the social workers extension- where I would reach the CSW’s voicemail- sometimes told me that Shante was at her desk, and I prayed she would answer.
But, Shante still didn’t answer the call, nor acknowledge my calls, nor was any response through mail, she made no note of my phone calls from the jail, none noted in any of her reports to the court.
Sarah’s MGM- went to the DCFS office while I was in custody and voiced to the DCFS social worker that she wanted to adopt Sarah and wanted her granddaughter placed in her home. (The social worker delayed this process five months) She eventually went through the process of fingerprinting and home approval for placement, and her home was ASFA approved. She wanted to adopt Sarah. We wanted her home. My mom alerted the social worker that I was in jail. I still wasn’t transported to the upcoming permanency hearing, in January of 2015. The social worker didn’t even tell my mother details of this court date!
The CSW Shante she did note- that I was participating in programs while in custody. This must have meant that she knew I was in jail, and still did not have me transported to court, and still did not contact maternal grandmother for placement with a relative, she did not tell the court that I continued to make attempts to contact.
I asked the receptionist to alert the social worker to please contact me—giving my name, my location at CRDF and that I have left voicemails, regarding wishes for placement of my daughter with MGM, My whereabouts and participated in programs at the county jail. I successfully completed the MERIT program at CRDF and was participating in Walden House at TTCF. I also accrued over 100 signatures for attendance for NA and AA.
I was then offered to participate in an ankle monitor program, in agreement to their conditions, I was released from confinements of the jail, and I was finally able to participate in court proceedings.
By then- my daughter was 10 months old.
I gave the ankle monitor company the dates and times that I was requesting to leave my house: DFCS Glendora-for child visits. AA meetings as my ONLY routes to be out of the house.
My location was traced and my body was monitored for substances via the monitor.
I went to the DCFS office to try and speak with the supervisor of this worker, I still hadn’t met my daughter. The worker was not in the office on the day that I went, but I was given the foster parents phone number and her name.
I contacted the foster parent Jesse Veron via text message, and she sent me hundreds of photos of my daughter. I was overflowing with emotions, just grateful for her taking care of Sarah for that period of time.
The next day, the social worker Shante Clark set up a visit for me and my child. I confronted the social worker about my numerous calls from jail, and her excuse for not answering me or responding to me while I was incarcerated, was because she said she was on disability. (but, the DCFS receptionist told me Shante was at her desk-on a few occasions).
I alerted the ankle monitor company that I had a court date and I went to the next set court date. Edmunds Children Court assigned me a court appointed attorney, Dennis Smeal and I met my attorney for the first time.
He told me that I couldn’t raise an issue about the allegations because they were substantiated during previous hearings.
Hearings I was restrained from attending.
How could any of this be substantiated?
I never had custody of my daughter.
How could I have committed child abuse?
How have I neglected her?
I told Mr Smeal that I was in jail, in response; the attorney yelled at me and called me a liar!
CSW CLARK knew I was in custody and failed to include me in any of the future hearings, I was never transported to court resulting in decisions being made without me being present, allegations made erroneously, permanency plans constructed, case advanced and vacated. Etc.
The social worker did not do a diligent search for a relative of the child or search for me. The jail was not informed that I had any type of proceeding occurring. That’s where I was, my whereabouts were documented as “unknown”
Shante did not even list me as the mother, they did not even list any family members, although every single family member was present in the hospital on the day I gave birth. She didn’t have any of their names or phone numbers.
I searched Facebook for the foster mother’s name, and found her profile. Jesse Verons’ default photo on Facebook; was a picture of daughter, without any clothes on. Upon viewing her profile-there was hundreds pictures of my daughter, with lots of comments from people, personal details, people were commenting, talking about me, and regarding the status of my daughter- it falsely claiming that my daughter was “adopted” The information was public, anyone could have seen this.
I alerted the social worker Shante Clark, about the information that was shared online. She went on the internet and was able to see this for herself.
-It was immediately shut down.
But how long had this violation been in progress before I found it?
I would say- For over a year.
I printed pages that I screenshot of the foster mom’s Facebook page.. as well as other websites I found online sharing details about my daughter, a website holding a “due date” as my daughters birthday- and a baby registry in connection to a list made on Amazon.
There were more pictures I found on a mans Facebook page - the person was unrelated to the case- he was also sharing my daughters photos- publicly. Upon searching his name, “Jim, Alexander” I found that he was a convicted sexual offender convicted of committing sexual acts with a minor.
One of my friends, a mother living in the same community as the foster parent, happened to be attending a “mommy and me” class, that the foster parent and my daughter happened to be attending as well. This was a coincidence.
My friend immediately recognized my daughter, and was shocked to hear that the foster mother was claiming my daughter was born premature, and that she was calling her a name other than what was written on the birth certificate- introducing her to the group as “Stella”
My daughter’s name is Sarah, and she was not born premature.
My friend sent me pictures, of the foster mom and my child- asking me if this was my daughter?
Once I confirmed that it was, my friend told me that she was calling her Stella and saying that she was premature… etc.
I confronted the foster parent, Jesse.
I reminded her that my daughter’s name is Sarah, and asked her not to confuse my daughter- As the case was in the reunification process, concurrently with the previous case plan I was not apart of.
The department was careless regarding the rights I held as a parent, and those rights of my daughter, pictures of my daughter posted on social media without consent- Did the foster mom forget that this is not her child, not by birth, and not by adoption?
One of my friends who lived within in the Glendora community; happened to attend the same “Mommy and Me” class that the foster parent. This happened coincidentally.
My friend immediately recognized my daughter, and told me that the foster parent introduced her to the group as “Stella” and went on to tell the group that “Stella” was born “premature”
The foster care system has no oversight over the foster parents who and their lack of adherences to the rights of the children placed in foster homes, was there no supervision? What was happening here? The foster parent was not adhering to the rules, violated our rights. Children in foster care should be treated with respect to their identity, their rights should not be violated, and that their best interest.
These posts that the foster mother posted online, broke confidentialities that are expected not to be broken by foster parent.
Why was my daughters case, birthday, pictures, and a false the status of my daughter being adopted being shared online, she was exploited by these people, Her identity was smothered. They did not respect the family integrity that my daughter belonged to.
DCFS had no supervision over these foster parents- their morality and their lacking of adherence to the rules, judgments on how they treated the in all aspects- they are expected to follow a set of standards, guidelines, and they were not following the rules.
The rights of a child in foster care don’t just disappear because they’ve been placed in a foster home, no was supervising my daughter, it seemed as though the focus has shifted from the safety of my child, to something else.. like putting her for adoption, & punishing the bio mom, and the family of this little girl.
The foster mother started to not show up for visits, denying visitation. I called the social worker… (and after reading progress reports that the social worker wrote, I later read that the foster parent stated she did not want to let my daughter visit with me, because it was “too hard”) The foster mom did not want to let me visit with my child.
There was nothing done in response to the foster parents complete disregard to the child-
My daughter should’ve been removed from the foster home as a response to the incidents and as a reprimand to their unprofessional conduct.
My mom is from Kuwait, she is
not familiar with the court process or what had to be done to bring my daughter home. I don’t understand why it took so long to have her home approved by ASFA. But, by the time she was approved - these foster parents asked to be de facto guardians.
The foster parent interfered with my childs visits with me, simply not showing up, denying visitation.
I called the social worker… to report this (and after reading progress reports that the social worker wrote, I read that the foster parent stated she did not want to let my daughter have visit with me, because it was “too hard”) The foster mom did not want to let me visit with my child. The foster parent questioned, “why does the birth family get to have visits?”
Apparently, this foster parent was under the impression that there would be no birth family involvement, and she was promised that she would be able to adopt my baby.
It’s safe to say that would be illegal- no one at DCFS can make a promise that anyone will adopt a child, and DCFS cannot tell foster parent to name the baby whatever they want.
There was not much of a conversation or reprimanding this unprofessional conduct.
The foster parents filed to be de facto guardians. On that day, my Attorney Dan Kim, failed to show up to court, and additionally had taken my entire case file home with him. attorney Dennis Smeal stood in his place and did not appeal the decision in correct terminology, nor a timely, and did not present the court with the ASFA approved relative who had been waiting for placement.
My mom was an approved relative for placement by ASFA- She, and other members of our family had passed the background check for placement as well.
We were told to go out and buy a crib, and other essential supplies for placement.
I completed my ankle monitor program, which was 7 months- without issue.
After all I have done, and the extent of my participation-
During my incarceration; in custody participating in the EBI program at Century regional and fee Walden House program at twin Towers correctional facility- I participated in over 100 AA meetings, any meetings that were available to me while incarcerated and I continued this rehabilitation while on an ankle monitor-as well as once the ankle monitor was removed-
They found was impartial.
My daughters grandmother, and I consistently picked up my daughter three times a week for home visits. Three times a week, three hours each day, with my daughter, in my mother’s home; Sarah’s grandmothers’ home.
My daughter would cry when our visits were over, When we had to leave, she did not want to go. She did not want to go back to that foster home. Sarah l told us that the foster parents’ adopted children were hurting her.
There were marks on her lip there were marks on her hips, and occasionally on some visits before she was more vocal there would be a rash on her inner arms, and across her stomach with no explanation as to where it came from or how it happened.
It wasn’t until Sara became vocal and started to tell us.
I have not seen my daughter since 2016-
that is seven years.
Seven years not knowing Where my daughter is, if she’s OK, if she’s hurting. Losing my daughter- in this way- I can’t even explain there are no words for how traumatic, and painful this has been for my family- and I imagine especially how distressing it is for my daughter. The grief that my daughter is feeling right now, hurts me as much.
I am crying and screaming internally, My insides are frantic, upset, and grieving for every single day that we have been apart-
yet still remaining calm, yet still carrying on day to day- always on my mind and what’s happened to me, has been a detriment to my health, as well as my mothers health.
Now diagnosed with an illness called Jakobs Disease.70% of patients will die from within their first year after the diagnosis. This sudden onset is caused by high levels of stress, after a major stressful life event.
What happened, should not have happened.
The adoption has gone through and they made a complete move out of state and have cut us off from communication with my daughter.
Her name has been changed to Stella V.
The post adoption agreement indicates nothing about visiting, communication,
We have not seen or heard from my daughter in seven years.
I have all the documents regarding this case. I have Screenshots from the foster parents Facebook page, I have copies of the information reports that the social worker made-
An involuntary termination of parental rights is not a “selfless act”
It’s equivalent to the death sentence.
I did not use any substances during my pregnancy. I was exposed to illegal substances during a traffic stop, a week prior; at 8 months pregnant.
I feared for my daughter’s health due to this exposure, It was not an intentional act of harm against my child. The sheriffs department had me sign a “hold harmless agreement” (but years after the incident) exposure was accidental.
I feared I would not be able to parent my child due to the consequences of this ticket, should the sheriff’s department file charges against me. This would prevent me from being able to raise my baby myself, and should that happen, I planned to have my mother adopt or take guardianship of my daughter. But at this time-
It was not a conviction- merely a ticket.
I had partial prenatal care- I didn’t know I was pregnant. It wasn’t until I was almost 6 months that I realized she was there. I still wasn’t showing yet, but I started to feel a flutter inside of me. At 7 months I started showing and found out I was having a girl. My mom and I agreed to name her Sarah. She was strong, I felt her doing summer-salts inside the womb.. and when I glided my fingers across my tummy, Sarah would respond by gliding her fingers across my tummy, from the inside. I knew she was going to be a smart girl. I knew we were going to be okay.
Sarah was born healthy 7lbs 8oz 20inches long. No signs of any harm, no abuse, no withdrawal symptoms, and APGARS were good.
A nurse in the hospital, was mandated by law to report the positive toxicology results. This brought a social worker to the hospital, whom stood at the foot of my hospital bed and asked me several invasive questions. I was under a lot of stress. I had just given birth, and with the recent events happening just a week before; I became overwhelmed. The social worker pressured me to answer very personal questions at the time of my daughter’s birth, this social worker had no business pressing me to answer, and it was inappropriate, and irrelevant for the circumstances. I had no idea that her intentions were to make a case against me.
Dcfs detained my daughter while we were still in the hospital, and at 2 days old, DCFS placed her in a foster home.
I’ve never parented my child, or had her in my care. With the exception of- in utero.
Allegations of abuse were made using falsified facts surrounding a protected class of information. It stated that I posed a risk of harm to my child, that I was dangerous and could not care for my child due to mental illness, and was not taking prescribed medication.
These statements are not true and did not represent my current mental health status. Although I was under a great deal of stress, i was not mentally ill. The report was made based upon an event from my childhood- when I was a minor- just 12 years old.
This information was misconstrued and was twisted in ways that should not have been. Being used as evidence against me as an adult.
These allegations were based upon a protected class of information that would constitute discrimination with some degree of prejudice that would present me falsely.
I was a 26-year-old, pregnant, female whom (as a minor) had briefly been on antidepressants, and was diagnosed with depression. This was a temporary condition that had resolved- and only occurred during my childhood.
The basis of the allegations were outlined by HIPPA protected health information- dating back to when I was a minor. (15 years earlier).
The social worker perpetrated undue interference with a biological families right to parent their child, preventing access, and this is a violation of law.
The basis of the allegations were drawn through an invasion of my rights to privacy, health records, educational records- and according to the law this is both a 504 violation, and unconstitutional as there is no proof of the risks that were stated in the allegations. 300A -300B -300c.
Having had depression as a minor, is not the equivalent to having a present day issue. That was a falsified insertion. There was no evidence nor any basis for this, and it is not the equivalent to having a current mental illness or disability- none of this would prevent me from being able to provide safety and care to my child.
But since we’re gonna go into that, I would like to clarify a few things…
I had no control over what happened to me as a minor. I responded as appropriately as anyone would. The period of depression I experienced as a minor did resolve, and medication were discontinued before I turned 16 years old. I did so under the direction of a doctor- while living at Vista Del Mar. I did not just stop taking them on my own.
It was no longer necessary.
I was living in a therapeutic environment that encouraged healing from trauma, and my goals while in placement were to recover from depression caused by an occurrence I endured at age 5.
After being discharged from Vista Del Mar- I continued on to graduating from Diamond Bar and completing an associate degree in Cosmetology. Still holding licensure.
I have no history of living in uninhabitable conditions, no history of having a lengthy mental illness such as a diagnosis of having a “serious” psychiatric or psychotic disorder requiring medication, no ongoing need for medication, no treatment for such a thing was necessary- Nor do I have any history of being dangerous or violent; not as a minor, and not even as an adult. I have no prior record of child abuse filed against me.
This is my first child, and my only child.
Additionally, At the time of the birth of my daughter; I had no criminal record, and there was no evidence to suggest that I had ever been a habitual drug user.
When the government intrudes on the parent-child relationship, it implicates a fundamental liberty interest of the parent who loses custody, and risks liability for having caused such a deprivation wrongly; on the other hand, the parental interest must be balanced against the state's interest in protecting children suspected of being abused.
CIVIL RIGHTS - Parent and Child.
County children and youth services' separation of mother and newborn child violated mother's substantive due process rights.
-Reardon v. Midland
The law also states- One toxicology result is not a sufficient basis for allegations of abuse to arise.
A positive toxicology screen at the time of the delivery of an infant is not in and of itself a sufficient basis for reporting child abuse. However, any indication of maternal substance abuse shall lead to an assessment of the needs of the mother and child pursuant to Section 123605 (below) of the Health and Safety Code. If other factors are present that indicate risk to a child, then a child abuse report must be made.
A report based on risk to a child which relates solely to the inability of the parent to provide the child with regular care due to a parent's substance abuse shall be made only to a county welfare department and not to law enforcement. (P.C. 11165.13)
I went in to the Glendora DCFS to try and visit with my daughter. She was not there.
I spoke with CSW Shante Clark.
I provided the CSW Shante Clark copies of the police report for the ticket i received when I was pregnant. By that time, charges were filed for the ticket I had received when I was pregnant. I told the social worker I had anticipated that I would be going to jail, and I wanted my daughter placed with my mom.
I had prepared for the case and retained a criminal defense attorney matter.
I visited the dcfs office, once again, and again i was not able to see my daughter.
Four months had passed. I incurred my first arrest.
Once I was incarcerated. I continued to call the GLENDORA DCFS from the pay phone at CRDF- I called and left numerous voicemails for Shante Clark- and Leticia Najera. Voicemail after voicemail, I left voicemails for both of them. I filled a guardianship form and had my mom fax the document to the Glendora DCFS, addressed to the social worker- Shante Clark.
I wanted MGM to take guardianship of my daughter. I have receipt of this fax.
The receptionist at DCFS that would initially answer my calls and transfer me to the social workers extension- where I would reach the CSW’s voicemail- sometimes told me that Shante was at her desk, and I prayed she would answer.
But, Shante still didn’t answer the call, nor acknowledge my calls, nor was any response through mail, she made no note of my phone calls from the jail, none noted in any of her reports to the court.
Sarah’s MGM- went to the DCFS office while I was in custody and voiced to the DCFS social worker that she wanted to adopt Sarah and wanted her granddaughter placed in her home. (The social worker delayed this process five months) She eventually went through the process of fingerprinting and home approval for placement, and her home was ASFA approved. She wanted to adopt Sarah. We wanted her home. My mom alerted the social worker that I was in jail. I still wasn’t transported to the upcoming permanency hearing, in January of 2015. The social worker didn’t even tell my mother details of this court date!
The CSW Shante she did note- that I was participating in programs while in custody. This must have meant that she knew I was in jail, and still did not have me transported to court, and still did not contact maternal grandmother for placement with a relative, she did not tell the court that I continued to make attempts to contact.
I asked the receptionist to alert the social worker to please contact me—giving my name, my location at CRDF and that I have left voicemails, regarding wishes for placement of my daughter with MGM, My whereabouts and participated in programs at the county jail. I successfully completed the MERIT program at CRDF and was participating in Walden House at TTCF. I also accrued over 100 signatures for attendance for NA and AA.
I was then offered to participate in an ankle monitor program, in agreement to their conditions, I was released from confinements of the jail, and I was finally able to participate in court proceedings.
By then- my daughter was 10 months old.
I gave the ankle monitor company the dates and times that I was requesting to leave my house: DFCS Glendora-for child visits. AA meetings as my ONLY routes to be out of the house.
My location was traced and my body was monitored for substances via the monitor.
I went to the DCFS office to try and speak with the supervisor of this worker, I still hadn’t met my daughter. The worker was not in the office on the day that I went, but I was given the foster parents phone number and her name.
I contacted the foster parent Jesse Veron via text message, and she sent me hundreds of photos of my daughter. I was overflowing with emotions, just grateful for her taking care of Sarah for that period of time.
The next day, the social worker Shante Clark set up a visit for me and my child. I confronted the social worker about my numerous calls from jail, and her excuse for not answering me or responding to me while I was incarcerated, was because she said she was on disability. (but, the DCFS receptionist told me Shante was at her desk-on a few occasions).
I alerted the ankle monitor company that I had a court date and I went to the next set court date. Edmunds Children Court assigned me a court appointed attorney, Dennis Smeal and I met my attorney for the first time.
He told me that I couldn’t raise an issue about the allegations because they were substantiated during previous hearings.
Hearings I was restrained from attending.
How could any of this be substantiated?
I never had custody of my daughter.
How could I have committed child abuse?
How have I neglected her?
I told Mr Smeal that I was in jail, in response; the attorney yelled at me and called me a liar!
CSW CLARK knew I was in custody and failed to include me in any of the future hearings, I was never transported to court resulting in decisions being made without me being present, allegations made erroneously, permanency plans constructed, case advanced and vacated. Etc.
The social worker did not do a diligent search for a relative of the child or search for me. The jail was not informed that I had any type of proceeding occurring. That’s where I was, my whereabouts were documented as “unknown”
Shante did not even list me as the mother, they did not even list any family members, although every single family member was present in the hospital on the day I gave birth. She didn’t have any of their names or phone numbers.
I searched Facebook for the foster mother’s name, and found her profile. Jesse Verons’ default photo on Facebook; was a picture of daughter, without any clothes on. Upon viewing her profile-there was hundreds pictures of my daughter, with lots of comments from people, personal details, people were commenting, talking about me, and regarding the status of my daughter- it falsely claiming that my daughter was “adopted” The information was public, anyone could have seen this.
I alerted the social worker Shante Clark, about the information that was shared online. She went on the internet and was able to see this for herself.
-It was immediately shut down.
But how long had this violation been in progress before I found it?
I would say- For over a year.
I printed pages that I screenshot of the foster mom’s Facebook page.. as well as other websites I found online sharing details about my daughter, a website holding a “due date” as my daughters birthday- and a baby registry in connection to a list made on Amazon.
There were more pictures I found on a mans Facebook page - the person was unrelated to the case- he was also sharing my daughters photos- publicly. Upon searching his name, “Jim, Alexander” I found that he was a convicted sexual offender convicted of committing sexual acts with a minor.
One of my friends, a mother living in the same community as the foster parent, happened to be attending a “mommy and me” class, that the foster parent and my daughter happened to be attending as well. This was a coincidence.
My friend immediately recognized my daughter, and was shocked to hear that the foster mother was claiming my daughter was born premature, and that she was calling her a name other than what was written on the birth certificate- introducing her to the group as “Stella”
My daughter’s name is Sarah, and she was not born premature.
My friend sent me pictures, of the foster mom and my child- asking me if this was my daughter?
Once I confirmed that it was, my friend told me that she was calling her Stella and saying that she was premature… etc.
I confronted the foster parent, Jesse.
I reminded her that my daughter’s name is Sarah, and asked her not to confuse my daughter- As the case was in the reunification process, concurrently with the previous case plan I was not apart of.
The department was careless regarding the rights I held as a parent, and those rights of my daughter, pictures of my daughter posted on social media without consent- Did the foster mom forget that this is not her child, not by birth, and not by adoption?
One of my friends who lived within in the Glendora community; happened to attend the same “Mommy and Me” class that the foster parent. This happened coincidentally.
My friend immediately recognized my daughter, and told me that the foster parent introduced her to the group as “Stella” and went on to tell the group that “Stella” was born “premature”
The foster care system has no oversight over the foster parents who and their lack of adherences to the rights of the children placed in foster homes, was there no supervision? What was happening here? The foster parent was not adhering to the rules, violated our rights. Children in foster care should be treated with respect to their identity, their rights should not be violated, and that their best interest.
These posts that the foster mother posted online, broke confidentialities that are expected not to be broken by foster parent.
Why was my daughters case, birthday, pictures, and a false the status of my daughter being adopted being shared online, she was exploited by these people, Her identity was smothered. They did not respect the family integrity that my daughter belonged to.
DCFS had no supervision over these foster parents- their morality and their lacking of adherence to the rules, judgments on how they treated the in all aspects- they are expected to follow a set of standards, guidelines, and they were not following the rules.
The rights of a child in foster care don’t just disappear because they’ve been placed in a foster home, no was supervising my daughter, it seemed as though the focus has shifted from the safety of my child, to something else.. like putting her for adoption, & punishing the bio mom, and the family of this little girl.
The foster mother started to not show up for visits, denying visitation. I called the social worker… (and after reading progress reports that the social worker wrote, I later read that the foster parent stated she did not want to let my daughter visit with me, because it was “too hard”) The foster mom did not want to let me visit with my child.
There was nothing done in response to the foster parents complete disregard to the child-
My daughter should’ve been removed from the foster home as a response to the incidents and as a reprimand to their unprofessional conduct.
My mom is from Kuwait, she is
not familiar with the court process or what had to be done to bring my daughter home. I don’t understand why it took so long to have her home approved by ASFA. But, by the time she was approved - these foster parents asked to be de facto guardians.
The foster parent interfered with my childs visits with me, simply not showing up, denying visitation.
I called the social worker… to report this (and after reading progress reports that the social worker wrote, I read that the foster parent stated she did not want to let my daughter have visit with me, because it was “too hard”) The foster mom did not want to let me visit with my child. The foster parent questioned, “why does the birth family get to have visits?”
Apparently, this foster parent was under the impression that there would be no birth family involvement, and she was promised that she would be able to adopt my baby.
It’s safe to say that would be illegal- no one at DCFS can make a promise that anyone will adopt a child, and DCFS cannot tell foster parent to name the baby whatever they want.
There was not much of a conversation or reprimanding this unprofessional conduct.
The foster parents filed to be de facto guardians. On that day, my Attorney Dan Kim, failed to show up to court, and additionally had taken my entire case file home with him. attorney Dennis Smeal stood in his place and did not appeal the decision in correct terminology, nor a timely, and did not present the court with the ASFA approved relative who had been waiting for placement.
My mom was an approved relative for placement by ASFA- She, and other members of our family had passed the background check for placement as well.
We were told to go out and buy a crib, and other essential supplies for placement.
I completed my ankle monitor program, which was 7 months- without issue.
After all I have done, and the extent of my participation-
During my incarceration; in custody participating in the EBI program at Century regional and fee Walden House program at twin Towers correctional facility- I participated in over 100 AA meetings, any meetings that were available to me while incarcerated and I continued this rehabilitation while on an ankle monitor-as well as once the ankle monitor was removed-
They found was impartial.
My daughters grandmother, and I consistently picked up my daughter three times a week for home visits. Three times a week, three hours each day, with my daughter, in my mother’s home; Sarah’s grandmothers’ home.
My daughter would cry when our visits were over, When we had to leave, she did not want to go. She did not want to go back to that foster home. Sarah l told us that the foster parents’ adopted children were hurting her.
There were marks on her lip there were marks on her hips, and occasionally on some visits before she was more vocal there would be a rash on her inner arms, and across her stomach with no explanation as to where it came from or how it happened.
It wasn’t until Sara became vocal and started to tell us.
I have not seen my daughter since 2016-
that is seven years.
Seven years not knowing Where my daughter is, if she’s OK, if she’s hurting. Losing my daughter- in this way- I can’t even explain there are no words for how traumatic, and painful this has been for my family- and I imagine especially how distressing it is for my daughter. The grief that my daughter is feeling right now, hurts me as much.
I am crying and screaming internally, My insides are frantic, upset, and grieving for every single day that we have been apart-
yet still remaining calm, yet still carrying on day to day- always on my mind and what’s happened to me, has been a detriment to my health, as well as my mothers health.
Now diagnosed with an illness called Jakobs Disease.70% of patients will die from within their first year after the diagnosis. This sudden onset is caused by high levels of stress, after a major stressful life event.
What happened, should not have happened.
The adoption has gone through and they made a complete move out of state and have cut us off from communication with my daughter.
Her name has been changed to Stella V.
The post adoption agreement indicates nothing about visiting, communication,
We have not seen or heard from my daughter in seven years.
I have all the documents regarding this case. I have Screenshots from the foster parents Facebook page, I have copies of the information reports that the social worker made-
An involuntary termination of parental rights is not a “selfless act”
It’s equivalent to the death sentence.
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