Long Story Short:

Their Daddy was bad abusive during entire 10 year marriage. I left him. The state told me to and said they would take the kids if I didn't. I sort of lost my mind for a while and went the wrong direction for about 6months. My Aunt had the kids since I had got myself in a financial spot there was no help to get out of. She got sick and called me wanting me to come get them right then. I told her give me a month to shake the loser guy I had (also abusive) and I would be right there. She took them to their daddy!! He lied and convinced everyone he was clean. But got busted and lost my kids the next state over. I've now been trying for almost 2 years to bring them home. State lines has been an issue but social workers look at me as if I abandoned the girls when I left them with my aunt. I just didn't think I was in my right mind and couldn't give them what they deserved at the time. I've done everything they asked but they are still trying to terminate my rights.

Anybody got any ideas on how to defend myself here. I'm stuck with a public defender and I have to do all the legwork but have reached a brick wall on the fact that I'm fighting the state not their daddy.