I have been a resident and victim of Santa Clara County CPS for 21 years. I have five children. The first was taken from me at the age of 3. The other four children (2 girls and 2 boys) have been in foster care since February 2009. I was able to get the case against the girls dismissed. I complied with all the terms of my case plan but my boys have still not been returned to me. My boys' cases have been continued several times because they are on 'runaway status'. The next hearing is scheduled this November.
I moved to Mexico in March, 2012 to escape CPS with my youngest daughter (8 years old). The oldest daughter (16) having learned to do drugs and skip school in foster care, refused to come with me to Mexico and was arrested for shoplifting. CPS filed a motion in the juvenile criminal court for custody of her. I traveled all the way from Ensenada Mexico to San Jose, CA to appear in court on 7/3/12 but Judge Tondreau (pursuant to the social worker and probation officer's demands) would not hear me. I think the reason the social worker and/or the probation officers wanted me to be present is so they could make sure I had 'notice'.
FYI the social worker, Herman Morris, was an instructor for a parenting class I was previously required to take to get my girls back. I am safely back in Mexico with my youngest daughter. I want my children back. What can I do? I have a background in the legal field and am registered to prepare legal documents. My experience has taught me what I need to do first is file a claim for government relief (within 6 months), but I do not know how to get the form or where to turn it in. Are there any lawyers that would be interested in taking my case? I have forwarded the most recent contact I have had with the social worker below (newest to oldest):
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dawnalee Brooking <dawnaleeb@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Jul 5, 2012
Subject: Re: 070512 f/u
To: Herman Morris
Help me understand what has taken place: (1) you filed a 241.1 that was granted on 7/3/12, (2) that you prepared and signed the aforementioned 241.1, (3) that the purpose of having filed the 241.1 was to complain that I not have 'learned' anything about what I have been taught, and (4) that you have filed a petition in the Juvenile Dependency court for the same purpose?
On Thu, Jul 5, 2012 at 12:13 PM, Herman Morris <Herman.Morris@ssa.sccgov.org> wrote:
I’m not sure what you mean by guessing game. I can’t fix something that you have not explained to me. So, help me understand Ms. Brooking; What did you learn? What do you think you have learned while your case was open with your daughters and since your girls cases were closed and they reunited with you, what did you learn? What do you think should be done, and why should it be done in this way? Give me your feedback.
How did moving to Mexico, leaving your daughter here in San Jose, help you to remain sober?
From: Dawnalee Brooking [mailto:dawnaleeb@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 11:59 AM
To: Herman Morris
Subject: Re: 070512 f/u
This is not a guessing game, Mr. Morris. You are avoiding my demand to fix what you did.
On Thu, Jul 5, 2012 at 11:38 AM, Herman Morris <Herman.Morris@ssa.sccgov.org> wrote:
Help me understand. How did moving to Mexico, leaving your daughter here in San Jose, help you to remain sober?
From: Dawnalee Brooking [mailto:dawnaleeb@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 11:14 AM
To: Herman Morris
Subject: Re: 070512 f/u
I must have learned something because I'm still sober. Asking me what I've learned AFTER THE FACT is not the point. You should have done something to help me keep my daughter. At the very least, you could have suggested I come to your office to submit to a drug test. I would have agreed to a hair follicle that goes back 10 years if necessary. How are you going to fix what you did?
On Thu, Jul 5, 2012 at 11:07 AM, Herman Morris <Herman.Morris@ssa.sccgov.org> wrote:
What have you learned?
From: Dawnalee Brooking [mailto:dawnaleeb@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 11:03 AM
To: Herman Morris
Subject: 070512 f/u
I just want you to know that what you said in the 241.1 report you signed and filed in the Juvenile criminal court which was heard on July 3rd 2012 at 8:30 am in Department 77 of the Superior Court of Santa Clara County WAS TOTALLY UNCALLED FOR. Moving to another country is not proof I haven't 'learned anything about domestic violence, substance abuse' etc. You are out of line! I expect you to find a way to fix this.
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