TPR

First of all, I didn't have to testify. That was a God thing as it allowed me to sit inside the courtroom and watch the witnesses etc.


How do I organize and summarize the crazy that followed?


Ok, so I think that the best thing to do is to take it person by person.



Bio Grandma: At the beginning of the trial, all non-participants were asked to leave the courtroom. Since Grandparents only have legal rights to visit with the children, Snow White's grandma and Grandpa were asked to leave. This may seem cruel.... but they would have caused so many disruptions. Case in Point- upon being asked to leave Grandma stood up, chocking back the tears she always has ready to go, and told that judge that she would like to represent herself in this case and wanted the opportunity to cross examine witnesses.
Let that sink in.
She isn't a lawyer and she has no legal standing, but came with a notebook full of questions for witnesses and was planning on being allowed to ask her questions.

Snow White's Caseworker: Snow White's caseworker of over a year left in the beginning of January. The circumstances were never fully explained... and the result is that this person wasn't available to testify. The result was that the office supervisor, someone who seemed very well versed in legalise, testified. Honestly I think she did really well and was able to speak personally of several incidents with Bio Family including the continuing drug use. She was able to speak directly to angry outbursts by the bio mother and testify to 2 positive drug tests in the pas 6 weeks.

GAL-  Our GAL was amazing. She basically testified for us, stating the Snow White is in a wonderful home, that she wants to live with us, and how Snow White Wrote to the judge asking to let her be adopted by us. She spoke long and passiatly about her opinion that the children need to be adopted and under no circumstances go back to bio family. The strangest part was the the bio parents' lawyers did not ask her one question.

The Video- Remember October of 2014? When I told you that the parents got caught on camera? (refer to http://fosteringtoforever.blogspot.com/2014/10/part-1-of-2.html ). Basically the video showed the parents acting in a bizarre, high, and creepily sexualized way while in the waiting room of the therapist's office WHILE THEIR SON WAS RECEIVING THERAPY FOR ABUSING HIS SISTER!
We had to watch it.
It wasn't fun.
It was gross.
I don't recommend it to anyone.


Bio Mom-  (Disclaimer: I don't like this woman.... many foster bloggers are fair and balanced about bio families. I am not. They hurt my child. All Fairness is gone). Bio Mom took the stand twice, once as a witness for the state, and once in her own defense.

She was constantly disruptive during the hearing. THe more people discussed her penchant for outbursts and craziness, the more crazy she became. She had to excuse herself during most of the GAL's testimony because she couldn't handle what the GAL was saying.

 Listening to her speak hurts. Mostly because everything that comes out of her mouth is toxic and a lie. Here are a list of a few of her inconsistencies:

I don't remember any of 2015 because I was high  because I missed my children.
I remember repeatedly calling my caseworker and never getting a response.

I haven't worked since 2009 due to anxiety.
My credit has been approved for a trailer and it will be here in 2 weeks.

I realized I was a horrible person 4 weeks ago and haven't done drugs since.
I realized this while my drug dealer was in my house.

I haven't seen my child since August.
I know my child and I know how badly she wants to come home.

Snow White doesn't need to stay with those people.
I am grateful to _______ and _______ for everything they have done.

She Told on herself over and over again. Freely admitting to drug use, admitting to being an addict since 2004. Admitting to unstable moods etc.

But y'all she was good. She is such a good liar, and can really sell what she is saying. She is smart. She is devious. She scares me.


Bio Dad- I have seen bio dad high before, but whatever he was on trial day was different. He is usually the one who is smoothing things over. The mellow one. During the trial he was anything but. He basically screamed at our lawyer, said that he had permanent memory damage due to consistent meth use, and told DCF that it was their fault because how would we react if our child had been taken away.

He excused himself from getting on the stand in his own defense.


The Judge- Y'all he is a wild card. For the record I respect him a lot. The law is held above all else. He is a true southern gentleman and pays everyone respect until they begin to disrespect others. He is consistently fair, and reacts strongly when it comes to the welfare of the children. He has exasperated me many times, because he is so methodical and takes so long to make a decision. The evidence seems to be overwhelming in this case. Parents have had two years and freely admitted to spend the extra year they had high on Meth. They are asking for a 6 month extension.... though 3 witnesses testified that it would be at least 6 months before they could be drug free, much less begin working on the rest of the case plan.


Us- We Sat. We Listened. We Prayed. I fidgeted. Hubby was a rock.

It is all on the judge now.

Today I was overwhelmed with the need to pray for him. To pray that while he is reading and re-reading the court documents that he will see the truth. That he will discern fact from fiction, and that he will receive wisdom beyond understanding.

Pray with me friends.