Ask Me Help Desk - Custody issue

3 years ago I had a issue with dfcs. And they didn't want my daughter to stay with me really because of the guy I was with at that time and I didn't have a stable home. So finally they let my daughter go and live with my sister.. in Jan. 2007 so in September 2010 my sister was going through a divorce so she let her come and stay with me.. so my sister had a check that was coming in every month from the department so she canceled it since she was with me then she notified the department of family and children's services. So they sent some one to my home to review it and they said that everything was OK and then they gave me and my husband a drug test. After the drug test sometime in October 2007 we never heard anything from them. Now, I just received a letter in the mail stating that this case has to be reviewed every 32 months and it states that my sister didn't inform the court that she sent my daughter to live with me? But dfcs knew because they had someone evaluate my home. So we are suppose to have a court date next week.. just curious if they are going to take her from me?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sostressed101

3 years ago i had a issue with dfcs. And they didn't want my daughter to stay with me really because of the guy i was with at that time and i didn't have a stable home. So finally they let my daughter go and live with my sister..in Jan. 2007 so in September 2010 my sister was going through a divorce so she let her come and stay with me..so my sister had a check that was coming in every month from the department so she canceled it since she was with me then she notified the department of family and children's services. So they sent some one to my home to review it and they said that everything was ok and then they gave me and my husband a drug test. After the drug test sometime in October 2007 we never heard anything from them. Now, i just received a letter in the mail stating that this case has to be reviewed every 32 months and it states that my sister didn't inform the court that she sent my daughter to live with me? but dfcs knew because they had someone evaluate my home. so we are suppose to have a court date next week.. just curious if they are going to take her from me?

Nobody can tell you for sure what's going to happen. Either the court will deem you a fit and responsible parent and leave her there, or they will deem you unstable and unfit and remove her once again. How old is your daughter?

My issue here is that you claim DCFS removed your daughter from your custody "because of the guy you were with." Then you state that you and your husband are required to submit to drug testing. So which is it: your boyfriend caused you to lose custody or you were abusing drugs and it caused you to lose custody?

If she has been with you that long and she has been in a stable environment then you should be OK. You should get your sister to write a letter and have her get it notorized about her saying she contacted them. Also if she has phone records of when she called I would take those also. Any paperwork that DFCS gave you or if you can call and request the documentation that was signed off on the inspection that is dated would be a big help. I would also get the people that know you and your husband on a personal level with your daughter and your stability with her write letters also and get them notorized to show that you have changed your ways and you are capable of taking care of her. It is hard in situations like this because they want what is best for the child but if she has already been with you for a while then they may need to evaluate just for proper precautions but remember you did give them a reason once before so just be a bit thankful that the care enough about her to want to make sure she is doing good and what to make sure you are in a good place in your life for her. Know that if the inspections do happen just know that it is something to remind you every 32 months on how good of a mother you are and after the first round they may dismiss it completely if you yourself (not who you are with) has good things going for you.