Help with social service's , child tooken out of home...?

Question

my 9 year old neice was tooken from my family for getting outside twice and running down the street, so social services took her (she is autistic) it has been 2 weeks now and we dont know whats going on....they told her that in 30 days there will be a court hearing and now she saying she dont know anything about it. are they playing with us so we dont show up for court and lose her? if so how do we find out the date of the court? and also my sister just called just now and she said that my sister is not getting her back that they have custody now. Please if anyone has any knowledge in this area plzz plzz let me know something , i really need help with this , i think we are going to lose her...

Answer 1

Childrens' services will eventually give the child back to her parents if that was the ONLY problem (running down the street at 9yrs old).

However, if there are other conflicts that your sister hasn't been honest with the family about, then she won't get custody back.

Answer 2

Call the DHS and ask who is your caseworker. Ask them all these questions and then do what they say.

They can't just take the child. There has to be more than one court hearing. You can get a lawyer to advise you, and the court will appoint one for you.

They will probably require the child and the parents to get counseling, take parenting classes, maybe drug and alcohol assessments. All those things must be complied with before the child comes back.

Once again, find out your caseworker's name and ask ask ask. Find out how you can get a court appointed lawyer.

Answer 3

I am so sorry this has happened.    I know it's rough for all of you right now.    

I would call the department of social services and ask to speak with someone regarding this matter.    They may have information for you that you aren't aware of about the situation and their actions.        I don't think they would have taken the child without some sort of reason.     So, I'd definitely give them a call.

In the mean time, pray harder than you've ever prayed before.    God hears our prayers, that's for sure.

Answer 4

The absolute best thing you can do is to talk to a lawyer...you dont have to have any money to get advise. Most states will jerk you around when they have the kid. The first thing to do is call an attourney...or the district public attourneys office...they cannot keep the court information from you and if they do or change it without reasonable notice. you will be able to appeal any proceedings. It will be hard and a fight to get her back but there are ways to beat the system.

Answer 5

I am so sorry to hear that.  Do what the cats meow said and when you get her back make sure this doesn't happen again.

Answer 6

Social services ALWAYS has the goal of reuinification. They may make your sis jump through alot of hoops, but she will need to comply and have a good attitude about it. TRUST ME the LAST THING you want to do is make these people mad.

She needs to call and speak with a supervisor. They may be withholding info right now because they may be still investigating. They will set her a court date, but may not give her any info until they go in front of the judge. She just needs to make sure she does EVERYTHING THEY ASK!!

Answer 7

I work for a child protection agency. What happens is when a report is made. It is investigated within 24-48 hours from the intial report. If it's deemed that safety of the child is a concern, the child is removed from the home. There's a hearing within 72 hrs if it's non-relative placement. 30 days if it is a relative placement. At that hearing, the caseworker makes their case. Or a reason why they think the child should not be placed back in the home at that time. If the investigation turns up nothing on the parent or parents, the judge may dismiss the case, and the child goes back to the parents. If the judge decides it is a case, there will be another hearing for placement. At the second hearing, placement is decided, and a review will take place in 6 months. The caseworker can request a 90 day hearing if they want.

So yes, your family will lose her for at least 6 months. A case for the family is done after the first hearing where the caseworker makes case plan with the parents for family reunification. The parents must follow that case plan because the judge will look to see if the parent is following it. What that means, is if the caseworker says your sister has to do parenting classes, she's got to do them. It's a long process to get a child back after you lose them to the system. Just as long as your sister shows she wants her daughter back, the caseworker will make sure that happens.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: Your sister will get a copy of the court order, date of hearings, and get set up for visitation by the case worker.

Answer 8

first, tooken is not a word, taken is.

also they have to give you information about the case, they can not just not tell the mom what is going on and when the court date is. She just needs to keep calling and when she doesnt get the information she needs from one person just keep asking for their supervisor until you get someone to give you a straight answer. Good Luck.