Chicago:Parents sue DCFS over removal of toddler from family

A place to post and discuss news.

Moderators: family_man, LindaJM

stopevilnow
Posts: 33
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:21 am

Chicago:Parents sue DCFS over removal of toddler from family

Postby stopevilnow » Fri Jan 30, 2009 7:58 am

It's a start. Keep contacting the media, it can be a very powerful tool for putting CPS in the spotlight they try to avoid!


Parents sue DCFS over removal of toddler from family

By Ofelia Casillas
October 03, 2008

A toddler’s parents are suing state child-welfare investigators and police officers who took their daughter and then forced them to have only monitored contact with her for days during a child-abuse investigation, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court.

The 21-page suit seeking at least $50,000 in compensation was filed Wednesday by lawyers for the Family Defense Center, a not-for-profit organization based in Chicago that represents parents against the child welfare system.

The lawsuit charges that authorities “tore a healthy and happy toddler from her innocent parents.” Then, it alleges, child welfare investigators “held the toddler hostage until the parents agreed to forfeit their constitutional rights to live without unwarranted restrictions.”

A spokesman with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services said the agency does not comment on pending litigation.

On Sept. 17, 2006, Nataleigh Evans took a tumble while learning to walk and hit her head on a coffee table, the lawsuit said. When a red bump appeared, her mother, Jennifer Evans, took her to a pediatrician who made an allegation of abuse to the DCFS hot line.

Two child welfare investigators and two Tinley Park police officers visited the Evans home and found her “safe and well-cared for,” the lawsuit said. Days later, DCFS social workers took the child from her parents for several hours.

The social workers then, according to the suit, threatened the parents with the continued custody of their daughter and placement in a shelter “unless they signed a so-called safety plan restricting their custodial rights.” [email protected]
"The most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" - Ronald Reagan

MaggieC

Postby MaggieC » Sat Jan 31, 2009 6:15 am

I would be very interested in reading this complaint. This case may have far reaching consequences for CPS.


debbiescalese
Posts: 460
Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2007 4:55 am
Location: WV

Postby debbiescalese » Sun Feb 01, 2009 7:40 am

They should sue the pedi as well. A bump on the head of a toddler learning to walk is not abuse it's fairly common. I'd go so far as to say a toddler who never gets a bump on the head during that period that would indicate something is wrong. The dr should have known that wasn't abuse. His name should be made public so other parents know not to go to him.


Return to “In the News”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests