It's been quite a while since I last posted an update. I had taken the blog down while I was awaiting my adjudication hearing and later my administrative appeal. I did not want the opposing attorney's to use my words against me. But now, it's over. It's all over.
Baby Ellie is home! Yep, I called my beautiful daughter by name. She has been returned to my care and I once again have full guardianship of her. Ellie is out of DCFS custody and is mine...forever!!!!
The title of this blog is "Guilty Until Proven Innocent.". Well, that's exactly what happened. I was guilty in the eyes of DCFS until I proved my innocence. On May 17, I received a certified letter from DCFS stating that they would reverse my indicated finding. I won my appeal. It took 19 months, but I was vindicated. They were wrong. I was right.
In the coming days, I will post the story of what has happened in the last 9 months. But for now, I want to shout it from the rooftops that I won my appeal!!!!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Happy Birthday!!!
Well, baby beautiful is officially a toddler. Today, we celebrated her 1st birthday. She was absolutely adorable...as always. Baby beautiful spent the day w my mom at our house. After I got off work, we celebrated with a yummy dinner, a trip to the park, and an ice cream cone. We had her actual party on sunday.
I can't believe it's been a year!!! she has grown so much and come so far. She took her first steps at 10 months (one week before 11 months) and within 2 weeks, she was toddling everywhere. She now walks primarily. Today, she had fun pushing her own stroller in the park.
While her birthday was wonderful, it was bittersweet. I spent the evening with her, but had to send her home. My dad was first to give her birthday snuggles...and he'll be last tonight (or my stepmom will). It sucks and it hurts. I've never done anything but love my precious daughter. One day soon...she'll be home where she belongs. I may not have given her the first snuggle today, but I certainly gave her the most important one.
HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY, BABY BEAUTIFUL!!! MOMMIE LOVES YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK!
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I can't believe it's been a year!!! she has grown so much and come so far. She took her first steps at 10 months (one week before 11 months) and within 2 weeks, she was toddling everywhere. She now walks primarily. Today, she had fun pushing her own stroller in the park.
While her birthday was wonderful, it was bittersweet. I spent the evening with her, but had to send her home. My dad was first to give her birthday snuggles...and he'll be last tonight (or my stepmom will). It sucks and it hurts. I've never done anything but love my precious daughter. One day soon...she'll be home where she belongs. I may not have given her the first snuggle today, but I certainly gave her the most important one.
HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY, BABY BEAUTIFUL!!! MOMMIE LOVES YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK!
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Saturday, August 20, 2011
Been a while..
I know I haven't been on here in a while. Life has been incredibly hectic. Quite a bit has happened in the past month or so.
We are still waiting for the actual adjudicatory hearing, but it is officially scheduled to begin on sept 21. We'll see if that day gets postponed once again. Ugh. I did find an expert to testify for me. He is a highly respected pediatric neurologist. He wrote a report based on his review of the medical records. He described evil dr. Petrak's report as "embellished and exaggerated,". He also said that the amount of blood in her brain was minimal and clinically insignificant. He said it was a subacute or chronic bleed that could absolutely be the result of birth trauma. He went on to say that some of the allegations "boarders on absurdity". His final sentence in the report was, "it is for the above reasons that I believe the allegations authored by Dr Petrak is incorrect and unsubstantiated.".
So, we'll see where this takes us. On a brighter note, I now have unsupervised visits w her every sat and sun all day. Today, we are off to go shopping and visit my sister. Thank you to everyone who has never stopped believing me and supporting me.
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We are still waiting for the actual adjudicatory hearing, but it is officially scheduled to begin on sept 21. We'll see if that day gets postponed once again. Ugh. I did find an expert to testify for me. He is a highly respected pediatric neurologist. He wrote a report based on his review of the medical records. He described evil dr. Petrak's report as "embellished and exaggerated,". He also said that the amount of blood in her brain was minimal and clinically insignificant. He said it was a subacute or chronic bleed that could absolutely be the result of birth trauma. He went on to say that some of the allegations "boarders on absurdity". His final sentence in the report was, "it is for the above reasons that I believe the allegations authored by Dr Petrak is incorrect and unsubstantiated.".
So, we'll see where this takes us. On a brighter note, I now have unsupervised visits w her every sat and sun all day. Today, we are off to go shopping and visit my sister. Thank you to everyone who has never stopped believing me and supporting me.
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Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Another delay...
So, we were all super excited and nervous about court on wednesday. Well, it looks like the wait will be even longer. Ugh. I talked to my attorney on the phone today, and the hearing will be postponed for at least a month. I'm furious! I won't know the actual date until next wed. I won't have to go to court that day, but my attorney will go in my place. I guess he is going to ask the judge to simply send her home since it's been 9 months. I have also done all that's been asked of me.
I also don't think that I had updated that we found a neurologist to testify on my behalf. He is in the process of going through all of the medical records for me. That's part of the delay in the trial.
I'm super sad, but am trying to remain optimistic. Maybe she'll be home we'd, but I won't hold my breath. I just hope and pray she makes it home in time for her first birthday.
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I also don't think that I had updated that we found a neurologist to testify on my behalf. He is in the process of going through all of the medical records for me. That's part of the delay in the trial.
I'm super sad, but am trying to remain optimistic. Maybe she'll be home we'd, but I won't hold my breath. I just hope and pray she makes it home in time for her first birthday.
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Monday, June 6, 2011
Exceeding expectations...
Today was a great day. The developmental and physical therapists from early intervention came to do baby beautiful's 9 month assessment. She amazed us all. In each category, she tested at or above her current age...testing as high as 11 months for cognitive development and movement. I was so proud if her. Then, after the EI folks left, she took her first steps!!! She stood up on her own and took two steps toward me!! She promptly fell on her face, and finished her journey by crawling to her mama.
Last weekend she began waving bye bye and clapping. She also reached for her bottle and said baba. It was so stinking cute.
Above all, I'm happy I was there to see her first steps. I was first to see it, and she was coming to me!
It is a bit bittersweet. My baby is growing up too quickly! I don't know where my itty bitty newborn went. I still cant believe she's been away from me for almost 8 months. I miss every moment that I'm not with her. :(
It's happy moments like her meeting milestones that helps me survive the moments where my heart is aching.
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Last weekend she began waving bye bye and clapping. She also reached for her bottle and said baba. It was so stinking cute.
Above all, I'm happy I was there to see her first steps. I was first to see it, and she was coming to me!
It is a bit bittersweet. My baby is growing up too quickly! I don't know where my itty bitty newborn went. I still cant believe she's been away from me for almost 8 months. I miss every moment that I'm not with her. :(
It's happy moments like her meeting milestones that helps me survive the moments where my heart is aching.
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Wednesday, May 18, 2011
At a snail's pace...
Our juvenile justice system simply moves at a snail's pace. That's all there is to it. I'm so incredibly frustrated today. I had a court date today. I new nothing would be accomplished, really. It was simply a hearing to set the date for my the adjudication hearing. That hearing is not until July 13! In our county, juvenile court only takes place every other Wednesday. The 13th of July was the next open date on the court calendar. That freaking stinks. They were so quick to steal her from me, but they are so slow to allow me the chance to prove myself innocent. Our system is so backward!
So, what exactly is an adjudication hearing? To the best of my knowledge, it is like a trial, but in juvenile court. Both sides have the opportunity to present witnesses and both sides can cross examine the witnesses. I'll have a chance to get on the stand in my own defense. At the conclusion of the hearing, the judge makes a ruling. She can say one of four things.
1. DCFS was wrong to take my baby, and will return her immediately
2. DCFS was right to take her, but she has been gone long enough, and send her home that day.
3. DCFS was right to take her and give my caseworker discussion in returning her home.
4. DCFS was right to take her and set another date further down the road to send her home.
Let's hope and pray for option #1!!! At this point, I'd settle for option #2. If the judge chooses option -#1, I can use that ruling in my appeal to DCFS to have this erroneous accusation removed from my file, so that I can once again work with kids.
So, what's another 2 months??? Ugh.
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So, what exactly is an adjudication hearing? To the best of my knowledge, it is like a trial, but in juvenile court. Both sides have the opportunity to present witnesses and both sides can cross examine the witnesses. I'll have a chance to get on the stand in my own defense. At the conclusion of the hearing, the judge makes a ruling. She can say one of four things.
1. DCFS was wrong to take my baby, and will return her immediately
2. DCFS was right to take her, but she has been gone long enough, and send her home that day.
3. DCFS was right to take her and give my caseworker discussion in returning her home.
4. DCFS was right to take her and set another date further down the road to send her home.
Let's hope and pray for option #1!!! At this point, I'd settle for option #2. If the judge chooses option -#1, I can use that ruling in my appeal to DCFS to have this erroneous accusation removed from my file, so that I can once again work with kids.
So, what's another 2 months??? Ugh.
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Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mother's Day
Today was my first official mother's day. It has been filled with a mixture of emotions. This morning, I was feeling sorry for myself. It just isn't fair that on my first mother's day, my daughter woke up in a different house than me. Nothing related to this situation is fair. So, I had a pity party.
But, then I saw my daughter. She was so cheerful this morning. She lept toward me as soon as she saw me. Then, she must have known I needed a big pick me up. After church, we were in the basement during coffee hour. Baby Beautiful was playing on the floor. She started to crawl toward the stairs. I wasn't too worried, since 8 month olds aren't supposed to be able to crawl up the stairs. Well, she did it! I stood right behind her so she wouldn't fall, and she climbed up about 8 steps! Holy cats! It took about 10 min for her to do it...and she was so proud of herself! I caught the last 3 steps on video on my phone. I'm such a proud mommie!
The rest of the day was great! I was able to celebrate with my family, including my grandma...my beautiful daughter's namesake! we had a great dinner and had fun at the park. She partied hard...and was sound asleep by 7pm.
I'm a bit sad again, but I will be able to cherish the memories of this day with baby Beautiful forever!
Oh, and at the advise of someone who commented on my blog, I'll be referring to my daughter as Baby Beautiful from now on instead of baby xxx. She is too beautiful to be called xxx!
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But, then I saw my daughter. She was so cheerful this morning. She lept toward me as soon as she saw me. Then, she must have known I needed a big pick me up. After church, we were in the basement during coffee hour. Baby Beautiful was playing on the floor. She started to crawl toward the stairs. I wasn't too worried, since 8 month olds aren't supposed to be able to crawl up the stairs. Well, she did it! I stood right behind her so she wouldn't fall, and she climbed up about 8 steps! Holy cats! It took about 10 min for her to do it...and she was so proud of herself! I caught the last 3 steps on video on my phone. I'm such a proud mommie!
The rest of the day was great! I was able to celebrate with my family, including my grandma...my beautiful daughter's namesake! we had a great dinner and had fun at the park. She partied hard...and was sound asleep by 7pm.
I'm a bit sad again, but I will be able to cherish the memories of this day with baby Beautiful forever!
Oh, and at the advise of someone who commented on my blog, I'll be referring to my daughter as Baby Beautiful from now on instead of baby xxx. She is too beautiful to be called xxx!
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