Posted on 03/12/2008 6:11:31 PM PDT by sopwith
First off thanks in advance. I have a grand daughter that has been taken by the state of Maine, And have done so against the family wishes. I need any website or lawyers that can be of help, I do have a call into the aclj Please keep this thread up I need your input.
Prayers for your family as you deal with this situation.
I wish I had more than prayers to offer. I imagine you are extremely scared and angry right now, sopwith...
Keep in mind, that I am not a lawyer, or a social worker, and I have no knowledge of the specific laws in Maine... However, I would definitely try to get in contact with Social Services, and the caseworker that has been assigned to your granddaughter’s case.
I don’t know if you will be able to do so (not knowing your situation right now), but you can speak to them about the possibility of granting you temporary custody, or placing her with another family member instead of in a foster home while the investigation is ongoing. Of course, speaking to a lawyer first, might be advisable, and it looks like you’ve already started that process.
Anyway, I will be saying prayers for your family.
Get a hold of the pastor.
Prayers up for everyone, no matter the situation.
She’s asking for specific assistance, she doesn’t owe anyone here an explanation - she’s asking for contact information and to those people that have a need to know - she will give the details.
It’s not her people skills that need the gentle nudge.
I did a little digging - I don’t know if these links will help you or not, or if you’ve already searched the Maine CPS website, but here are two links that might help you to know what rights you may have, and how Maine investigates these cases (I didn’t read through this information, just felt like spending a few minutes to help you find information that may be relevant).
Handbook for Parents - Describes rights parents have during a Child Abuse and Neglect Assessment:
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/cw/handbook.html
Overview of Child Protection - an overview of the procedure followed when investigating allegations of child abuse, neglect or exploitation.
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/cw/protection.shtml
Also, you may have more rights under the Grandparent’s Visitation Act;
Please see the following page;
Legal Services for the Elderly (Free Legal Services for Maine Residents
http://www.mainelse.org/kyr/grandparent_visitation.htm
EXCERPT from the above webpage:
Case 1: My grandchild is the subject of a child protection order
If your grandchild is removed from home under a “protection order”, you have the right to ask to see your grandchild and that the child be placed with you.
You can write a letter to the judge or show up at a court hearing and ask to be included in the case. You can do this yourself but it may be better to have an attorney do it for you. The judge will look at many things, the most important being what is in the “best interests of the child”. Call us if you want to discuss your concerns with a free lawyer.
< snip >
Call our free Hotline to talk to a lawyer: 1-800-750-5353
I hope this helps.
OK calm down. You live in New Hampshire and the child has been taken to Maine. Now, what happened, why and who?
You want help, FReepers need information and all will help you.
I never said the poster needed to provide any further details than the ones originally offered.
My comment was in response to the abrupt and dismissive way in which the poster replied, never mind the poster's failure to acknowledge those that have nothing to offer but best wishes and prayers, regardless of whether the poster asked for them or not.
And by the way, smartypants, how is it that you arrived at the conclusion that the poster is female?
Don’t know that I guess...
I just think there was panic and grace is needed on his or her part ;)
Consider that the stress level of spowith is sky-high right now and a little slack is warranted. There but for the Grace of God and all that ...
Prayers being said & the hope that you get the help you need to get her back asap. Pandora
Prayers offered for your granddaughter and family.
Thank you for going the extra step and finding links that may help with the situation.
I am sure Sopwith is also thankful that you dug into the problem enough to find usable information.
No thanks necessary really — I just felt compelled to do SOMETHING. I’ve been through something involving social services within my own extended family, and I vividly remember to this day the fear and frustration I felt not knowing what in the world to do...
Since some on this thread have sounded (to me) a little harsh on sopwith, let me just say that I have received a thank you directly from them for my assistance.
I understand that some people are the type that don’t want to “get involved” unless they are “sure” they are helping an “innocent” party. I don’t care about that — it’s not for me to decide, and knowing the details of the case are not necessary either.
EVERYONE deserves to know what their legal rights are, no matter what the situation is...
And of course, everyone also deserves to be brought before the Lord in prayer when they are facing a difficult situation no matter what the situation is - for He loves all of us sinners, more than we could ever understand.
I’m not sure why you characterized this as an Amber Alert. That seems like a stretch when you know exactly where she is and that the child is in state custody.
We’re not going to be on the lookout for her.
Try looking in the Yellow Pages for a law firm that advertising expertise in Family Law.
But I have to say ‘thank you’, for being the fine Christian that
you are and for the help, you offer.
Awww... thanks for the compliment, Granny.
I didn’t mean to imply that I didn’t appreciate the thanks — but, I think you know that. :)
You get a smile and a hug.
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