Hi, My name is Sara. I am a mother, a waitress, and a recovering addict. I am in a fight for my life with CPS. I have to come up with the money for the retainer fee for a lawyer that will help me put an end to this insane mess that I have found myself in with CPS, or more currently known as FCN. Let me explain.
My husband of 16 years left my son and I last summer. He moved to Austin, and out of spite called CPS on me. He knew that i would fail the drug test for cps because he had spent the last two weeks doing speed with me, making me think that we were reconnecting. Unfortunately, just as he had planned, I failed.
At first I fought CPS, mostly because I was afraid to admit that i needed help. But eventually, in August, I decided to comply and accept the help that they were offering me. I went to rehab but did not stay the 30 days that were required to complete the program. I had a physical altercation with some of the other girls in the rehab and decided to leave early. When I checked out of rehab, CPS went to my mother's where they had placed my son while I sought out treatment and took him to my husbands mother.
I appeared in court in September. I was 19 days sober the day I appeared before the judge. I told the judge and cps that I did not wish to fight them. I wanted to embrace the program. I have never been on my own before and I was willing to do whatever they asked without fail until I met their standards and could be reunited with my son.
I did 6 months of outpatient treatment, three months of weekly parenting classes, and once a week counsiing through ADAC. I joined an outside recovery group called Most Excelent Way. I went to Therepy through crossover counsiling. I got a steady, decent paying job. I got a reliable vehicle. I found a safe stable perminant home to live in. I started going to church and helping in the nursery. I cut off all friends, romantic interests, and problematic family. I opened a bank account. I started taking vitaminesa and drinking lots of water. And most importantly, I have remained sober from drugs and alcohol for the past 9 months. I passed every random drug test that I was given. And there were a ton.
After I finished all that they asked from me, I expected to see the end in sight. And I thought I did. The day my case worker told me that I had satisfied cps and they were ready to start the reunification process, CPS took her from my case. I didnt hear anything from anyone-- except the random drug testing emails telling me to go test-- for two months. When I was finally contacted by the new case worker, I was exasperated. Nothing had changed for me , but my son was starting to rebel a bit and we were ready to get this thing over with. I was unaware that dispite their false claims, they had no intention of returninghim to me then-or ever.
The two months that followed were a confusing nightmare. Suddenly, all of the people that worked for CPS and CASA, including my mother-in-law began to treat me very differently. They didnt trust me. They picked appart every thing I said or did. They held meetings together about me and my case that I was not invited to be a part of . It was as if everything was backwards. Nothing had changed at all. I was staying consistent with my progress. Still sober. Employed. Patiently waiting.
The new case worker had not been told that I had satisfied cps. She read the previous report and was unable to confirm my claims. The therapist that CPS set me to have a set number of visits ordered by cps. On the very last visit, my therapist tricked me by provoking me and twisting my words. She reported to my new cps caseworker that I was unhinged and had admitted to using drugs to cope with my divorce. This was absolutely false. Because of this lie, she was assigned more sessions, thus continuing to receive money from cps.
The casa worker sent an email to her supervisor and accidentally CC me in it. In the email, she said that I was the cause of my son using marijuana and that in her opinion, if I was not using it with him, I was giving him permission. She said that he was high when she made her initial contact with us. This was a lie. It was 8am. I woke him up to meet with her. Even so, the report had been made. I tried to get my lawyer to Counsil me and help me. I felt like I was walking on Ice. My feet kept slipping out from under me.
My lawyer--who also stops receiving funding when my case is finally closed- and also a family friend of my inlaws-refused to listen to me. She said I was coming off as paranoid and needed to chill before I really damaged my case. That is good advice--except I was neither paranoid or acting outlandish.
A couple weeks later, I went for a random UA and Hair test. That same day, I had to appear in court. The judge was pleased to see that I was doing so well. My son appeared in court with me. They talked in private for a few minutes. When we went back into the courtroom, The judge made a ruling. As long as my UA and hair test came back clean, Brandon could come home. Finally! I knew I was going to pass. Just like all the tests that I took for them to date.
Two days later, my hair test came back negative, but my the levels of meth in my Urine was 20,000+. The highest reading possible. I had failed the very last test that I would ever have to take...And I was stone cold sober. I told my case worker that the test was wrong. She said she would have to send it back for further testing. I called a week later for results. She still hadn't sent it. She said she was sending it right then when we hung up. Two days later, I called back. I got an automated message saying that she was on vacation until the 12th. Court is the 11th. So fi she had sent it in for further testing, the results would not be available to me until the next day after court. I thought this was fishy.
I called Quest Diagnostics to get a copy of my drug test results. They said that they were not authorized to disclose that information to me. I would have to consult with my caseworker. I told them that I suspected her of lying. They said that it was against strict policy and suggested I speak with her superior.
The next day, my son overheard my mother-in-law talking to Casa lady. He told me that she said that she and her parents would spare no expense in this matter. If she had to buy the judge she would. She said that pulling strings and buying reassurance was nothing compared to the years of pain I caused her son by being a terrible wife. The truth. But no proof.
These people are about to take my 14-year-old son away from me for good. All to appease my x husbands' vindictive agenda. I have to find a lawyer. I cannot afford this retainer. I have done everything that I have been asked to do. I have completely changed my lifestyle and put in all of the hard work that went into it by myself. Now that I KNOW I am set for my son to come home, they are pulling out all the stops. They have been trying to convince me to sign Permanent care management over to my monster in law. I don't know what that is, but I am positive that it isn't a way of saying Brandon comes home. I am so scared. Please help me if you can. We would both be forever grateful.
Thank you,
Sara and Brandon
