Ohh...they already know... the 'anonymous' caller already clued them in but also mentioned that she had been seeing a psych for the last 12 years and has been medicated (obviously the not so anonymous tip line had the caller identify themselves through facts, huh?) No doubt she was the caller:/Eljay wrote:Homeschoolmom7 wrote:At 17 I got into an argument with my mom, she hit me, giving me a black eye, was arrested, plead guilty to child abuse but had charges dropped down to a misdemeanor something or another.
Ok, so...my mom has sought treatment for mental problems, is medicated and up until last night has appeared stable...or stable enough. The abuse mentioned occurred around 12 years ago. Fast forward to last night....
...
My mother just nailed the coffin shut on any prayer of getting CPS off my back and she KNOWS it. She holds resentment against me and has now gotten her chance at revenge.
Oh chit. Here's the deal.... You've got a VERRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYY fine line to walk right now. If they find out that you left your children in the hands of a known abuser, they will slap you with failure to protect. I certainly hope that this is the first abuse you've seen from her in 12+ years. Regardless, you do NOT want them to know about your mother's past because, although you've had 12 years of observation and watched her, thinking she was safe, they see things in black and white and will claim that you should have known better. Same with whatever her 'mental problems' are .... don't go throwing her under the bus for being psycho... through your careful and continuous observation, she appeared to be well balanced with whatever medication she was taking.
At this point, I would have either an attorney or police/sheriff with you when you interview, at your home, but bring said child out on the porch with just one of you, leaving the others behind a lockable door with the other parent. The police/sheriff should be involved to take a formal complaint against your mother for the RO.
You do realize that you have to allow them to complete their investigation, but I'm very concerned about them showing up with multiple SWs, multiple police, etc. They might try throwing their weight around. You need to befriend the police and ask THEM to confirm your rights to not have your children taken based on your mother's lie.
BTW, I hope you see her behavior as inexcusable. Her actions could lead to the destruction of your family. She's got to leave you alone. I hope you have no regrets filing a restraining order against her.
When these things were mentioned to my husband while on speaker phone, I immediately had him mention that she's been in the care of a psych, has been medicated and our immediate (always present) child psychologist (sister) my aunt, has always been around during the visits and would be able to 'watch' my children while they visited with grandma (and she felt everything was safe). I really feel like my mom 'outed' herself as a way to destroy me. This really was the revenge she had waited so many years for! I spoke with a few attorneys today (not that I will be able to retain them) and both suggested I hold off on the restraining order because "it's not like she's going to break into your home or force herself to your children" My husband mentioned it today to the CPS worker while he set up a 'meeting' for Wednesday but I almost feel like allowing them to know I plan on filing a restraining order on Monday, pretty much pegs me at our local courthouse on monday...ripe for their picking (if they're still searching for me!) I have no doubt, that despite our cooperation in setting up a meeting, they will continue to attempt to catch me at home. Truth be told...I am terrified of going home and even though I fully expect them to take my children on Wednesday...I cannot take a surprise 'door pounding' again.
If I have a police sheriff present (which they may already have planned) what good will they do me...aside from asserting the law more clearly on the SW behalf:/ Do you have any pointers on helpful ways to befriend the police? i was told by an attorney today that if the child is involved in a crime (abuse) investigation, the police have every right to take the child for questioning without a court order? please tell me this isn't true!! I fully intend to insist upon seeing the court order/warrant, before I allow a single child out my door. Will the police (is it typical) that they attempt to leave without an order?? What did you mean by 'throw their weight around" ?