CHILD PRISONERS CAGED,DRUGGED,
Try these
http://www.fightcps.com/arts.htm
http://www.jonathanselby.com/pg16c-1.html
This Government Agency is OUT OF CONTROL!
(In red are characteristics similar to the Selby case related on "Notes
on Domestic case" this site).
_______________________________________________________________________
The Asheville Tribune, July 23-29, 2003 (Front page- headline):
N.C. Supreme Court Rules Against DSS
Judges restrain agency's involuntary interview powers
The North Carolina Supreme Court last week told the Department of Social
Services (DSS) that they had overstepped their authority when they tried
to interview the two-year-old daughter of a Cleveland County couple.
Jim and Mary Ann Stumbo of Kings Mountain were visited in September 1999
by county social workers because of an anonymous phone call (alleging)
that the daughter had run through their yard naked while chasing a
kitten. Apparently an older brother had quickly returned the girl to the
house. The Stumbos refused to allow the social worker to interview the
girl or any of their children.
DSS took the Stumbos to court to force the interview. The lower court
sided with DSS, but the Stumbos appealed to the North Carolina Court of
Appeals, which also found for the DSS.
The Stumbos then took their case to the NC Supreme Court, which
unanimously sided with the family, saying that there was not enough
evidence to have warranted an involuntary interview. *(The Selby's hope
this will be true with the Tennessee Supreme Court in their case as
well)
The decision from the state's highest court could have a restraining
effect on the power that county DSS agencies have been using in North
Carolina. While some say that the decision is very narrow, and possibly
has only a direct implication on this case. a closer examination of the
judges' decision reveals that the court had concerns that Cleveland
County DSS overreacted and could have made a simple phone call to
correct the situation.
"In this case. a phone call to the parent by CCDSS (or by the anonymous
caller) alerting the parent to the child's unsupervised presence outside
potentially could have resolved the issue." said Judge Robert Orr in his
decision. Orr went on to reprimand the agencies for taking so long to
contact the family, "Certainly, a call to the parent would have been a
far more logical step toward protecting the child than the delay,
unavoidable or otherwise, of approximately two hours to visit the home."
However, DSS was not the only state entity that Orr singled out to be at
fault for allowing the Stumbos' case to get as far as it did in the
court system with such a lack of evidence.*(!) "There is no information
either in the record or in the transcript of the hearing as to how long
the child was outside unsupervised; the character of the surrounding
area; or whether the child had ever been outside, naked and unsupervised
before," said Orr. "Upon being called as a witness, James Stumbo
[husband and father of the family] attempted to explain what had
happened, but the trial court sustained opposing counsel's objection to
Mr. Stumbo's testimony. The trial court instructed Mr. Stumbo to confine
his testimony to events that transpired at the time Ms. Lowery arrived
at his home. All further evidence and the record before us relates
solely to the effort by Ms. Lowery to interview the Stumbos' four
children in private and the Stumbos' refusal to allow her to do so."
Orr then pointed out that without any further substance for the case,
DSS should have been left without an argument. "Thus, without ever
determining whether there was sufficient evidence of 'neglect' to
trigger the investigative requirements... [for] this case [to] proceeded
to a statutorily mandated investigation and legal measures to prohibit
the parents' interference with an investigation by the CCDSS." He went
on to clearly state that DSS did not have the right to exercise their
extensive power. "Thus. Under the specific facts of this case, we
conclude as a matter of law that the anonymous report was insufficient
to invoke the extensive power and authority permitted by the General
Assembly to the county departments of social services," (Orr wrote).
Stumbo case, not the first time.
Reporters with the Tribune have reported on several Buncombe County DSS
cases where the evidence was just as light as in the Stumbo case. One
such incident involved the Brimer family. The story was covered by this
reporter in articles in the July and August, 1996 issues of the Mountain
Sentinel, a monthly newspaper that was distributed throughout Western
North Carolina.
George, 34, and Shari, 33, Brimer lived at 95 Vandalia St. in West
Asheville with their eight children. Their house was on a dead end
street about three or four houses from the end. The West Asheville
couple was hit by DSS with allegations of child neglect apparently made
by an anonymous tipster.
In a petition filed May 10, 1996 in District Court, Juvenile Division,
the Buncombe County Dept. of Social Services alleges that the children
of the Brimers were unsupervised and allowed to "climb on the roof of
the house with a ladder, and run into the street chasing dogs."
Social Services' investigation first surfaced on April 12, 1996 when two
casually dressed investigators appeared at the Brimer home and asked for
a private interview with the children. Brimer arrived home to find his
wife, Shani, talking to the investigators outside their home. She had
refused to allow them inside.
The Brimer children then ranged in age from three months to 10 years and
included six boys. Brimer acknowledged that the older children did climb
trees on their nearly one acre of yard. Their dog, Katie, also got
loose, and the children chased her into the street. Brimer said he told
the social workers about these incidents and when he also allowed his
children to retrieve a toy from the roof.
Brimer, a Desert Storm veteran who invaded Iraq with the U.S. Army's
24th Infantry, said the charges were "ridiculous," and he refused to
allow the investigators to enter his home or speak to his children.
Concerned that social services might attempt to take custody of his
children. Brimer acknowledged sending them out of town.
"This organization (DDS) thinks they're so much above the law." he
remarked. Until June 12. 1996, Brimer and social services exchanged
telephone calls. At one point, Brimer proposed to allow DDS
investigators to meet with his children at a neutral place, if his
pastor could be present. Brimer said DDS refused his offer. On the
advice of his attorney, Carol Andres, Binmer ignored notes and phone
calls from the Buncombe County Sheriffs Department regarding the summons
because he was not legally obligated to respond, he stated. According to
Brimer, the DSS attorney Charlotte Wade had admitted this was an
incredibly weak case, but Wade told the Mountain Sentinel that
"confidentiality prohibits me from making any discussion whatsoever
about any case."
Neighbors of the Burners had strong opinions about the family. "From
what I've seen there's no abuse," commented Phyllis Ray. She called the
children "very well-behaved." Ray's husband, Doug, is reported to have
told clark earlier that the Brimer children were the most well behaved
children he'd ever seen. Concerning the DDS charges, Garnette Cowan, 83,
said, "I think it's a bunch of baloney...whoever prompted it (the
investigation) is just as sneaky as can be."
Brimer's attorney Carol Andres filed a motion for dismissal on the
grounds that the court summons did not name the Brimer children
specifically or give their ages, as required by North Carolina Law. On
July 19, 1996, during court, Juvenile Court Judge Rebecca Knight denied
the motion for dismissal and ordered Brimer to give the names and ages
of his children, allow social services investigators to privately
interview them and allow investigators access to his home.
Brimer was not present in court, but his attorney called Brimer to
inform him of Knight's decision. Attorney Andres told Brimer she would
file an appeal. The same day Brimmer again sent his family out of state
and had decided to leave North Carolina for good. Brimer remained in
Asheville to work out a two-week notice with his employer. "I'm having
to give up the best job I've ever had in order to protect myself and my
family from child protective services," Brimer said as he met with a
reporter from the Sentinel at a local motel. "I hate to go. But unless
the appeal works I plan to leave the state," he stated. Brimer explained
that anonymous tipsters could use DSS more as a weapon than out of
concern for the safety of children. "When someone gets mad at you all
they have to do is call DSS and accuse you of child abuse or neglect and
you're guilty until proven innocent." Brimer said.
Judges didn't address Constitutional question, but one says they should
have - Judge Orr made it clear that this recent decision handed down by
the court did not address any Constitutional questions as the Stumbos
and their lawyer, Jim Mason, had hoped. "Throughout the litigation of
this case the parents have cloaked their argument in the context of
Fourth Amendment constitutional grounds" writes Judge Orr. "As we have
often noted, 'the courts of this State will avoid constitutional
questions. even if properly presented, where a case may be resolved on
other grounds.' This is just such a case." However, at least one of the
NC Supreme Court justices acknowledged that the case had Constitutional
ramifications.
"Perhaps most important, this case implicates well-established and
closely guarded constitutional rights," writes Judge Mark Martin. Judge
Martin went on to say "The majority's analysis delays needed resolution
of the constitutional questions briefed and argued by the parties."
Martin said that in abuse and neglect cases handed by DSS that the
"government must show probable cause as a prerequisite to removal of a
child in an emergency, it would seem imperative for this Court to
consider the constitutional standard applicable to home entry and
nonconsensual interviews during non-emergency investigatory protocols
conducted by the government."
Martin also reinforced the long held notion that the "...burden of proof
[is still] on the government" a rule that many who've dealt with the
juvenile court system would say that lower court judges have forgotten.
Take the ongoing Buncombe County case of John and Sue Dhermy, whose
daughter was taken from them after Sue was accused of burning a child,
but the allegation was never proven in a court of law. "Put simply, the
question of whether the State may lawfully enter a private residence as
part of an investigatory protocol in the absence of any fact-specific
justification is left unanswered," concluded
Judge Martin.
Still, Stumbos' Attorney Mason, who is a Litigation Attorney for the
Virginia-based Home School Legal Defense Association was happy with the
court's decision. "This is a great victory for parents in North
Carolina. The decision means that families will be protected from
aggressive social workers who are acting solely on the basis of
anonymous tips," said Mason.
Story filed hy Clint Parkerfor tlic Tribune
* Added by JS- NOT PART OF ORIGINAL ARTICLE
"NOTE: URLs of webpages exposing child `protective` system practices
WARNING: some of the urls contain shocking or heart-wrenching stories,
not suitable for everyone. Our feeling, however, is that the problems
they highlight are badly in need of exposure. To the best of my
knowledge, all the links here are up to date. They were checked mid June
2001, and I believe are all helpful or informative. No other endorsement
is ventured. If you find a broken link, or have a story that needs to be
told, or suggestions for reform, please email Robin (see bottom of this
page).
The National Coalition for Child Protection Reform began at Harvard in
1991, and is still putting finishing touches on its website. They have a
great deal of information for those wishing to conduct research.
Government abuse of citizens - ripping children from homes that love
them is the most vicious thing that government do-gooders can perpetrate
against citizens. Only rarely is such intervention reasonably called
for. The present system is collossally expensive, but the greatest cost
is not the billions in tax dollars but the pain and heatbreak and
emotional abuse to children and families. Far less disruptive
alternatives are available, and must be pursued. Good caregivers must be
supported, not undercut. Cost-efficient support programs for intact
families must be adequately funded. Stop kidnapping children.
An excellent expose' - that says just what CPR says about the evils of
America's child protection industry. This site was made known to CPR in
January, 2000.
The Dupuy Case - the nationally famous story (of false accusation and
the tyrannical power of one malicious social worker) that appeared on
Dateline.
Children on slabs - a brief but shocking article by Linda Haley that
decries the widespread abuse and even documented cases of needless
deaths of children in foster care. It's not enough to blame it on the
emotional "pathology" of the child victims. The Foster care system is
very much to blame.
Another expose' - saying Children's Services is out of control and is a
threat to your family. They offer a legislative history, advice, and a
web-ring for fathers' rights.A site that does just what it says
....watches the watchers. Who's watching our Nation's Child Protective
Service Agencies? WE ARE! CPS Watch is a watchdog agency that monitors
the unlawful actions of CPS. We document the money trail, expose the
abuse of children while under state care, expose the illegal removals of
children from their loving parents and more.
If you thought foster care is "safe" for children - think again! This
news article scratches the surface....
Suzanne Shell's website - If you are in Colorado and need advice, she's
the one to contact. Just please be respectful of her time, she's trying
to lead a semi-normal life, in addition to helping dozens of people.
NASVO - This is the homepage of Victims of Child Abuse Laws (VOCAL). The
site offers advice for dealing with Children's Services, law
enforcement, and attorneys. Material on this website is scary. You
probably will have trouble believing it, at first. Jane and I found the
material all too true. The site offers the a variety of useful web
links. VOCAL
False Accusations - More advice on how to deal with false accusations of
abuse, from Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance.
A Team (legal) - A merry band of defense experts for families wrongly
accused. I haven't used their services. But, they have a very well done
web site.
Preble Law - Another merry band of defense experts. They have an
interesting win on their site.
Youth Law Center - A group that negotiates, and if necessary, litigates,
for children's rights in the child welfare system.
Center for Individual Rights -- A merry band of attorneys. They sue for
civil rights all the way to the US Supreme Court. If you are poor, and
your case is interesting, and you really are innocent, these folks might
help.
Faith and Justice [.com - A site that points out the link between
justice and belief in God. Links to many organizations.
Case Histories - Children's Services horror stories from a law firm that
represents families.
Heartbreaking story -- of a little baby who need not have died. Website
could use some work.
This IPT site contains a number of clinical expose's of Children's
Services with plenty of stats and quotes.
An unsympathetic history of child abuse industry.
Another unsympathetic history and current practice of the child abuse
industry, with plenty of footnotes.
Save Your Children - New York
Child Protector Watch - This web site has been created for the specific
purpose of protecting children and their parents from the excesses of
the "child protectors," who use them in their quest to remove control of
your children from you so they can teach them to be good (forced)
altruists and socialists from an early age. Hitler and other despots
knew the value of getting the children young and teaching them what they
wanted them to think. This is called "conditioning," and it is happening
to your children,now.
Childrens Rights Advocacy - For every child who has suffered the
confusion, emotional trauma and inner conflict caused by the negligent
and sometimes corrupt acts of the people in the "INDUSTRY" of protecting
children who are actually protecting their own reputations, careerism,
and financial interests instead of the children they are sworn to
protect.
False Allegations - lots of links and horrifying info.
Kids Rights to be with Mom and Dad
Families in Crisis - No one understands better than another parent who
has lived the same nightmare.
Child Protection Reform - America's child protection system has immense
power. It operates in secrecy. It enjoys total immunity. Parents and
children have few meaningful rights. Under current law, the system
created to protect children has become America's greatest source of
family and child abuse. It desperately needs substantial reform. (this
site features Real-audio and written testimonials)
A detailed discussion of the problems with Utah's child welfare laws is
articulated very well by the Hon. Arthur G. Christean, a retired Utah
juvenile court judge in an article entitled, "The Child Welfare Reform
Act of 1994: Is the Cure Worse than the Problem?"
Throughout America, an average of 3,000 children a day are stolen from
their homes and placed in foster care to fuel a multi-billion dollar
money-making machine. Utah's system is typical, and provides a case
study in both the tactics of the government and how individual citizens
can defend themselves and their families. To you, your children are your
life. To the thousands of caseworkers, supervisors, therapists, judges,
and doctors whose salaries are paid by this machine, your children
represent job security. Fresh meat. Despite what they may have told you,
your case is not a weird exception. They're doing this to everyone.
Silverstorm's Sanctuary , Here is my own story - regarding Gestapo CPS.
Then we have those who wish to use the system as a weapon to harass and
hurt those they dislike. Complaints can be made anonymously and the fact
it is made anonymously in no way reduces the complaint's legitimacy in
the eyes of CPS whose employees are already inclined and trained to
think the worst of parents and guardians anyway. You see, CPS is not
interested in legitimate complaints... they are just interested in any
complaints they can get. Well, if you actually look at what is done to
children, parents, families and society in general by this extremely
fascist and un-American agency (or set of agencies) and the
unconstitutional so-called 'Family Courts' you will come to the
realization that 'protecting children' is the last thing on the lists of
these people. What they are interested in, quite literally, is total and
absolute control of every aspect of every life. Privacy is anathema to
these people.
Brian and Ruth Christine - This Bible-believing, sincere Oregon couple
face sudden and unjustified harrassment by the child protection
agencies. Their beautiful children are removed. It is nothing short of
government child theft.
http://heathersfamily.faithweb.com/ - Every day, some 3,000 kids in the
U.S. are taken from their families by CPS workers who claim they are
only trying to help the family. Do not let these workers fool you. They
are not your friends, nor do they want to help. They want to get inside
your home so they can build a case against you.
Therapist complicity in the kid stealing racket - these "therapists" are
the big winners in the unholy alliance with the child saving
bureaucracy. Posing as angels of light, this new priesthood is a Lucifer
clothed in therapeutic "goodness."
Link
How does one come to believe they had been sexually abused, are MPD and
raised in a satanic cult, when none of that ever happened? Read the
"Candy Cane and the Bear". "Inside Therapy" goes through the process of
therapy with Steven Winn. An unholy wizardry.
Link
Parents standing up and fighting for the right to be a family without
government harrassment. [kstrucking - can you imagine?]
Links
Online resources exposing CPS and child-protective excesses, error,
ineptness, railroading, and outright abuse, and countless cases of
violations of "due process" or total breakdown of fairness safeguards,
and where are the checks and balances?
Link
Debbi DeSisto tells of her daughter's being accused of causing a
subdural hematoma through the use of marijuana early in her pregnancy.
[A Personal Journey]
Link
This is the story of one family's fight against a power mad DCS worker
and other inept and corrupt people within the system. This page
describes what occured during the illegal taking of our children, their
return home, and our prose attempt to sue those responsible in Federal
Court.