VRATIMO MALU JOVANU! - Please return Jovana to the only family she has known!

Here is Jovana's Story!

Jovana's birth mother signed parental rights to Children Protective Services (CPS) immediately after giving birth. CPS placed 10-day-old Jovana in Srbijanka Marković's home as a foster child. Over the following two years, Jovana developed into a well-adjusted, healthy, thriving, toddler, with a strong family bonds to the Marković Family, residing in Smederevska Palanka, Serbia.

Two years later, on September 2, 2013, Jovana was removed [read; abducted] at the recommendation of psychologist Tanja Šupić, employed at the Centre for Social Work in Smederevska Palanka. Ms. Šupić recommended the instant removal of Jovana from her home with Srbijanka Marković, the only family, friends, and community she had known since birth. The reasons given for removing Jovana without consideration for a transitional period include:

1. Jovana’s developmentally appropriate bond with the Markovic family;
2. The Marković family’s desire to adopt Jovana;
3. Srbijanka Marković’s genuine concerns for Jovana’s long-term well-being;
4. Srbijanka Marković’s "manipulative and mindful," desire to ensure Jovana’s relationship with her brother and sister, who reside in different foster homes.

Without a transitional period, the instantaneous removal of Jovana and placement with people she had never met, could have devastating effects on Jovana’s development, her ability to trust, and her ability to bond with new caregivers.

From birth until September 1, 2013, Jovana relied on the Marković’s family to provide a stable home with the consistent and loving care children need and deserve to develop into healthy adults. From two-year-old Jovana’s perspective, she was home one day and with total strangers the following night.