A Voice of a Foster Parent

My baby had been with me for 11 months (5 days old when I got her from Dallas Medical Center). She was born with cocaine and marijuana in her system and weight under 6 lbs. Placement date was August 17, 2015.

The mother's first visit was 5 days after placement with me and she showed up to the CPS under the influence of drugs, nothing was done about that. The first few visits she showed up, then she started sending items for the child that smelt horrible. I voiced my concern and was told to just was the clothes. The smell was so bad that it lasted in my car for days. Finally my agency decided to keep the clothes because they weren't in good condition for the child. December came around and the mother started missing the weekly visits and at the end of January she just stopped completely. She continued to submit names because she stated to CPS that she had to get someone so that she could have access to the child. There was a placement hearing in March but it was denied because CPS stated that they couldn't see removing the child and placing her into poverty. There was nothing after that from the parent. The Guardian ad litem became upset with me when I refused to take off from work for a home visit. I tried scheduling around her times but that wasn't good enough. (I do have those messages if requested).

Termination hearing was set for August 1st but they had a emergency placement hearing on Friday that I didn't know about. The CPS worker denied the home study but a supervisor over rose it saying that a parent didn't have to be employed. Then the GAL went to the home and found out that the lady son had set his desk on fire in school 5 years ago. She called the CPS and agreed with him that it wasn't a good placement. They get in court and she doesn't object as she had previously said and the placement is approved. The child is not kin to this woman who shows up months after she has been in care. I really deal that the GAL didn't object because she made it clear the first visit that she didn't like to terminate parents rights. The mother doesn't want this child this child but made it clear she just needed someone to pass a home study so that she could have access to her. The mother stopped visits in February.

My heart was torn out when they moved her and I just don't feel that she is safe and will be taken care of. I just think it's so unfair that after having her all this time I don't have a voice at all.

I know that I'm not an important person but I have had problems with CPS back in 2001 when I tried to adopt a little girl and was told that I didn't make enough money. They placed her with a family that put her out on the porch at 2 am and the previous foster parent had to pick her up. That child aged out of the system.
All I wanted was to adopt a little girl and to make my family complete. Before you ask, I called my Senator and received the run around in his office.

All I want is for foster parents in Dallas County to have a voice. My baby girl is in a situation that is not healthy in my opinion, but who am I. A woman who wants to have a completed family and give a home to a child.