Going to try to sum this up...Jan-March 2012 a 1 year old little boy was placed with me by AACO social services due to drug abuse by his mother. I am a freind of the boys fathers family (he was in jail). Anyway, in March the child went back to his mother to join her in a residential treatment center. Approximately a month ago, the mom got out and she continued to use drugs and even attempted (very close to death if she had been found a moment later).

Prior to the child returning to his mother in March, we were told by AACO social services to develop a safety plan for the child should she come out and use again. That plan was for him to return to me. A week ago Sunday, the father (out of jail but still not equipped), the childs great grandmother and his maternal grandfather had me come get the child, the mother was in the hospital still recovering from the suicide attempt.

On Monday the 23rd I went to the Anne Arundel court and filed for emergency custody. The hearing was set for the 25th. The child was being cared for during the day by my 18 year old daughter. I told my daughter to keep the shades closed and the child inside until we go to court on Wednesday. On Tuesday the 24th the mother showed up with the police. My daughter did not open the door however my elderly grandmother talked to them through the window identifying the child was here. The mother NEVER called to ask for the child back upon her release on Monday. However, she told the police I "kidnapped" him. I got on the phone with the polce (who at this point had my house surrounded because they thought it was a kidnapping as my daughter told them my mom told me not to open the door for anyone, of course I would have told her to had I know the severity of the house being surrounded etc.) Anyway, I spoke to the police on the phone and informed them of the situation.

They called the case worker in Anne Arundel County (where the child lived) as well as the mothers father, the mother drug counselor etc and were trying EVERYTHING in their power to not remove the child from my home. The caseworker in Anne Arundel County told the police that she recommended the child remain with me as he was placed here in the past until court on Wednesday.

The police followin protocol called in Calvert DSS. I was on my way home at this point. I get her to the DSS INVESTIGATOR not even wanting to speak to me and turning her back on me as if I was the criminal. The Anne Arundel county case worker CALLED HER IN MY DRIVEWAY also advised her that this was an Anne Arundel county case and she was the worker and that she advise the child remain in my care until Wednesday. They STILL gave the child back to the mother. They aslo informed the mother they would write a report on her behalf for the judge on Wednesday. WTF?

The mothers boyfriend ran to the store because in order to hold up the situation I refused to give the car seat (the child was still in my house) DSS left the scene leaving the mother and the child here on the front porch (at this point I admitted defeat and went and got the child). The mother then left with the child upon the return of her boyfriend.

Now this mother is addicted to heroine and the child was obviously in danger in the past. Anyway, I went to court the next day and thankfully she did show with the child. The judge with in the course of a 1/2 hour of testimony AWARDED EMERGENCY CUSTODY TO ME! Obviously in just a few minutes, with no case workers to speak to, no knowledge of the year of history just from testimony of me, the mother and the mothers father she believed the child was in danger where an INVESTIGATOR from DSS did not feel he was having ALL of the history and the recommendation of the police and AACO caseworker.

Its sad that DSS continues to put the childs best interest second. In this case, there was a happy ending for the child but in other cases, that ONE DAY could have made all the difference in saving a childs life.

Going to try to sum this up...Jan-March 2012 a 1 year old little boy was placed with me by AACO social services due to drug abuse by his mother. I am a freind of the boys fathers family (he was in jail). Anyway, in March the child went back to his mother to join her in a residential treatment center. Approximately a month ago, the mom got out and she continued to use drugs and even attempted (very close to death if she had been found a moment later).

Prior to the child returning to his mother in March, we were told by AACO social services to develop a safety plan for the child should she come out and use again. That plan was for him to return to me. A week ago Sunday, the father (out of jail but still not equipped), the childs great grandmother and his maternal grandfather had me come get the child, the mother was in the hospital still recovering from the suicide attempt.

On Monday the 23rd I went to the Anne Arundel court and filed for emergency custody. The hearing was set for the 25th. The child was being cared for during the day by my 18 year old daughter. I told my daughter to keep the shades closed and the child inside until we go to court on Wednesday. On Tuesday the 24th the mother showed up with the police. My daughter did not open the door however my elderly grandmother talked to them through the window identifying the child was here. The mother NEVER called to ask for the child back upon her release on Monday. However, she told the police I "kidnapped" him. I got on the phone with the polce (who at this point had my house surrounded because they thought it was a kidnapping as my daughter told them my mom told me not to open the door for anyone, of course I would have told her to had I know the severity of the house being surrounded etc.) Anyway, I spoke to the police on the phone and informed them of the situation.

They called the case worker in Anne Arundel County (where the child lived) as well as the mothers father, the mother drug counselor etc and were trying EVERYTHING in their power to not remove the child from my home. The caseworker in Anne Arundel County told the police that she recommended the child remain with me as he was placed here in the past until court on Wednesday.

The police followin protocol called in Calvert DSS. I was on my way home at this point. I get her to the DSS INVESTIGATOR not even wanting to speak to me and turning her back on me as if I was the criminal. The Anne Arundel county case worker CALLED HER IN MY DRIVEWAY also advised her that this was an Anne Arundel county case and she was the worker and that she advise the child remain in my care until Wednesday. They STILL gave the child back to the mother. They aslo informed the mother they would write a report on her behalf for the judge on Wednesday. WTF?

The mothers boyfriend ran to the store because in order to hold up the situation I refused to give the car seat (the child was still in my house) DSS left the scene leaving the mother and the child here on the front porch (at this point I admitted defeat and went and got the child). The mother then left with the child upon the return of her boyfriend.

Now this mother is addicted to heroine and the child was obviously in danger in the past. Anyway, I went to court the next day and thankfully she did show with the child. The judge with in the course of a 1/2 hour of testimony AWARDED EMERGENCY CUSTODY TO ME! Obviously in just a few minutes, with no case workers to speak to, no knowledge of the year of history just from testimony of me, the mother and the mothers father she believed the child was in danger where an INVESTIGATOR from DSS did not feel he was having ALL of the history and the recommendation of the police and AACO caseworker.

Its sad that DSS continues to put the childs best interest second. In this case, there was a happy ending for the child but in other cases, that ONE DAY could have made all the difference in saving a childs life.

Helluva story.
Here's hoping that DSS gets there heads outta their.....well.....and realizes that the child is better off with you? Good luck.

Can someone give me the short hand story please.

Can someone give me the short hand story please.

She fostered a little boy whose mom was a druggie and she (Sin) filed for emergency custody of him through the courts. Druggie mom came back with cops the day before the custody hearing and Calvert DSS made her give the boy over. The next day a judge awarded her the emergency custody.

Sin, I admire your good heart. To me it seems futile to try and help these children when you have their parents and the freaking system battling against you. I personally have learned to not give a crap about OPC, but I still admire that you want to do something for them and try to make a difference. :huggy:

Can someone give me the short hand story please.
Our "touchy-feely" liberal laws give more "rights" to a wasted, suicidal, drug-abuser blood parent than they do to the a child of the wasted, suicidal, drug-abuser. This results in our government agencies and law enforcement not being willing to make a spur of the moment judgement call for fear of being sued by the wasted, suicidal, drug-abuser blood parent so they give her the kid and let the courts decide it on a later date.


Same reason people are afraid to adopt American children and instead go overseas. Our laws will allow a blood mother to come back years later and stake claim to the child the "adoptive" parents have taken in and raised.

Can someone give me the short hand story please.
Not me. I couldn't get through half of it before I had to stop reading.

Not me. I couldn't get through half of it before I had to stop reading.

Really? I thought she presented the situation quite well. :shrug:

1. OP was given emergency custody by AA county, kids moms a druggie.

2. After moms release, baby was given back wrongly, then returned to OP

3. Mom reports false kidnapping to CC police, who after being told by judge and caseworker in AA to stand down, do so.

4. But not fast enough to prevent the arrival of a CC caseworker, who even after being told by the AA caseworker that moms a danger to the kid hands kid back to mom.

5. Luckily, hearing was held the next day and the judge gave the kid back to the OP.

Point was that the CC DSS caseworker was adamant, even in the face of police and her counterpart from another county, that the baby was better off with mom. Sometimes the "mother uber alles" thought process is not a good idea.

Can someone give me the short hand story please.

In short; DSS Dumb Stupid Slow

I don't think you can blame Calvert DSS for this. If the child was in liniment danger, AA DSS should have removed the child and given custody to Sin. As far as I could tell they didn't. It was not within DSS authority to "award" custody to Sin.

You can be frustrated with DSS, but they have rules they have to follow. If anyone is in the wrong here it would be Ann Arundel DSS for not taking custody of the child in the first place.

Really? I thought she presented the situation quite well. :shrug:

She presented the story very well. But......you know how Baja is.......

Going to try to sum this up...Jan-March 2012 a 1 year old little boy was placed with me by AACO social services due to drug abuse by his mother. I am a freind of the boys fathers family (he was in jail). Anyway, in March the child went back to his mother to join her in a residential treatment center. Approximately a month ago, the mom got out and she continued to use drugs and even attempted (very close to death if she had been found a moment later).

Prior to the child returning to his mother in March, we were told by AACO social services to develop a safety plan for the child should she come out and use again. That plan was for him to return to me. A week ago Sunday, the father (out of jail but still not equipped), the childs great grandmother and his maternal grandfather had me come get the child, the mother was in the hospital still recovering from the suicide attempt.

On Monday the 23rd I went to the Anne Arundel court and filed for emergency custody. The hearing was set for the 25th. The child was being cared for during the day by my 18 year old daughter. I told my daughter to keep the shades closed and the child inside until we go to court on Wednesday. On Tuesday the 24th the mother showed up with the police. My daughter did not open the door however my elderly grandmother talked to them through the window identifying the child was here. The mother NEVER called to ask for the child back upon her release on Monday. However, she told the police I "kidnapped" him. I got on the phone with the polce (who at this point had my house surrounded because they thought it was a kidnapping as my daughter told them my mom told me not to open the door for anyone, of course I would have told her to had I know the severity of the house being surrounded etc.) Anyway, I spoke to the police on the phone and informed them of the situation.

They called the case worker in Anne Arundel County (where the child lived) as well as the mothers father, the mother drug counselor etc and were trying EVERYTHING in their power to not remove the child from my home. The caseworker in Anne Arundel County told the police that she recommended the child remain with me as he was placed here in the past until court on Wednesday.

The police followin protocol called in Calvert DSS. I was on my way home at this point. I get her to the DSS INVESTIGATOR not even wanting to speak to me and turning her back on me as if I was the criminal. The Anne Arundel county case worker CALLED HER IN MY DRIVEWAY also advised her that this was an Anne Arundel county case and she was the worker and that she advise the child remain in my care until Wednesday. They STILL gave the child back to the mother. They aslo informed the mother they would write a report on her behalf for the judge on Wednesday. WTF?

The mothers boyfriend ran to the store because in order to hold up the situation I refused to give the car seat (the child was still in my house) DSS left the scene leaving the mother and the child here on the front porch (at this point I admitted defeat and went and got the child). The mother then left with the child upon the return of her boyfriend.

Now this mother is addicted to heroine and the child was obviously in danger in the past. Anyway, I went to court the next day and thankfully she did show with the child. The judge with in the course of a 1/2 hour of testimony AWARDED EMERGENCY CUSTODY TO ME! Obviously in just a few minutes, with no case workers to speak to, no knowledge of the year of history just from testimony of me, the mother and the mothers father she believed the child was in danger where an INVESTIGATOR from DSS did not feel he was having ALL of the history and the recommendation of the police and AACO caseworker.

Its sad that DSS continues to put the childs best interest second. In this case, there was a happy ending for the child but in other cases, that ONE DAY could have made all the difference in saving a childs life.

Wow, what a nightmare! Thank God the child is still safe, he/she is so lucky to have someone like you who cares when the "mother" and "father" choose to act like idiots instead of parents.

The safety of a child always comes first! Only hearing one side of the story, I am disgusted that CC and AA DSS are being accused of putting a child in danger. I am sure some situations slip through the system but it is not legal to remove a child because a parent "tries" to commit suicide or an "alleged" drug user. The allegations must be factual. Do you have any idea how traumatic it is for a child to bounce from house to house? With that being said; possibly the OP should of followed the chain of command and reported to the AA case worker or called CC DSS or Sheriff’s Office first thing the next morning, rather than taking what appears to be a hostile situation into her own hands.

A birth parent can not legally come back and “stake claim” to a child who has been adopted. When a child is adopted the birth parents have willing or ordered by a judge terminated their parental rights to the child.

As a very proud adoptive mother of a child from foster care I strongly support and encourage US adoptions.

I hope this situation ends with what is best for the child.

I just watched this movie last night... Adopting Terror (TV 2012) - IMDb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2341985/)

The safety of a child always comes first! Only hearing one side of the story, I am disgusted that CC and AA DSS are being accused of putting a child in danger. I am sure some situations slip through the system but it is not legal to remove a child because a parent "tries" to commit suicide or an "alleged" drug user. The allegations must be factual. Do you have any idea how traumatic it is for a child to bounce from house to house? With that being said; possibly the OP should of followed the chain of command and reported to the AA case worker or called CC DSS or Sheriff’s Office first thing the next morning, rather than taking what appears to be a hostile situation into her own hands.

A birth parent can not legally come back and “stake claim” to a child who has been adopted. When a child is adopted the birth parents have willing or ordered by a judge terminated their parental rights to the child.

As a very proud adoptive mother of a child from foster care I strongly support and encourage US adoptions.

I hope this situation ends with what is best for the child.

The child is with me, and will remain there until bio mom can prove herself fit to care for the child via an Anne Arundel County Judges court order.

The way it played out...she hung herself wednesday, was hospitalized the child left with his grandparents, we enforced a "safety plan" for the child as instructed by DSS in aaco. I got the child on Sunday, filed for emergency custody on Monday, meanwhile DSS in AAco was preparing to re-open the case but had to go through the proper channels but the DSS caseworker knew exactly what was going on. She appeared on Tuesday after notification of the custody hearing that was to occur on Wednesday.

The safety of the child was my FIRST concern. He was not kidnapped, the mother was in a mental hospital under observation after trying to commit suicide and the childs father, grandfather and grandmother were left to care for the child, they could not so they had me get the child again, the safety plan we had been given and the mother was aware of before she got her son returned to her in March.

Something else....in the past year, the mother has been recieving the following services for the child while not working and while using drugs.

TCA
Medical Assistance for herself and the child
Food Stamps
Free housing in the inpatient facility she was placed in
Free Daycare (the first plan of action to make sure the child was supervised at all times and not with the mother alone)

When the child came with me the first time, they continue to pay for the daycare and his medical.

Now that he is with me which may be forever, I asked DSS for ONLY daycare assistance, my youngest is 18 and that stuff has gotten quite pricey. I was told "You cannot get daycare assistance because you are not a blood relative to the child and he was not placed with you through DSS you now have custody" OH WELL, I guess I will have to fork it over and do what I gotta do.

Also, I asked the mother for the child social security because I want to remove him from Medical Assistance and put him on my health plan...nada...gotta apply for a card myself she nor calvert DSS will give it up. Anne Arundel no longer can give it because the case is closed and he is now a "calvert resident".

So I will file for a new card myself.

Also...there is a waiting list for daycare vouchers so what about those people who are on welfare and they find employment and WANT to go to work however with pricey daycare they need some assistance......TO BAD YOU ARE TRYING TO BETTER YOURSELF, WE CAN'T HELP WITH DAYCARE SIT BACK, DO NOTHING, WE'LL PAY YA!

Something else....in the past year, the mother has been recieving the following services for the child while not working and while using drugs.

TCA
Medical Assistance for herself and the child
Food Stamps
Free housing in the inpatient facility she was placed in
Free Daycare (the first plan of action to make sure the child was supervised at all times and not with the mother alone)

When the child came with me the first time, they continue to pay for the daycare and his medical.

Now that he is with me which may be forever, I asked DSS for ONLY daycare assistance, my youngest is 18 and that stuff has gotten quite pricey. I was told "You cannot get daycare assistance because you are not a blood relative to the child and he was not placed with you through DSS you now have custody" OH WELL, I guess I will have to fork it over and do what I gotta do.

Also, I asked the mother for the child social security because I want to remove him from Medical Assistance and put him on my health plan...nada...gotta apply for a card myself she nor calvert DSS will give it up. Anne Arundel no longer can give it because the case is closed and he is now a "calvert resident".

So I will file for a new card myself.

Also...there is a waiting list for daycare vouchers so what about those people who are on welfare and they find employment and WANT to go to work however with pricey daycare they need some assistance......TO BAD YOU ARE TRYING TO BETTER YOURSELF, WE CAN'T HELP WITH DAYCARE SIT BACK, DO NOTHING, WE'LL PAY YA!

And another wrinkle to the situation: getting approved for a daycare voucher is one headache, but another headache is finding a daycare providing willing to accept the voucher.

Once approved for a voucher, paperwork and other processing times delays the daycare providing from getting a check for services for quite some time.

I'm familiar with a case - similar to yours - where applying for daycare coverage and the daycare provider actually getting the check on their hand took almost six months. So, for six months, that daycare provider did not have any money coming in for that child. None. Having said that, once the checks did start coming in, there has been no delay. But going six months without payment sure caused a negative impact for that provider.

Hope you have great success with taking care of this little one. :huggy:

One of my good friends worked for Children's Services for 8 years (not in MD) and couldn't take it anymore because of the heartbreaking situations and the incompetence of her co-workers. She now does Social Work for the elderly as an "emotionally easier" job. She is a very compassionate person and a hard worker, but it seemed like that would not be descriptive words of the majority of her co-workers.

The safety of a child always comes first! Only hearing one side of the story, I am disgusted that CC and AA DSS are being accused of putting a child in danger. I am sure some situations slip through the system but it is not legal to remove a child because a parent "tries" to commit suicide or an "alleged" drug user. The allegations must be factual. Do you have any idea how traumatic it is for a child to bounce from house to house? With that being said; possibly the OP should of followed the chain of command and reported to the AA case worker or called CC DSS or Sheriff’s Office first thing the next morning, rather than taking what appears to be a hostile situation into her own hands.

A birth parent can not legally come back and “stake claim” to a child who has been adopted. When a child is adopted the birth parents have willing or ordered by a judge terminated their parental rights to the child.

As a very proud adoptive mother of a child from foster care I strongly support and encourage US adoptions.

I hope this situation ends with what is best for the child.


One would think that the CC DSS would listen to the AA DSS and not return the child to the mother. I would think that they would listen to another agency before the parent since there was an active case on the custodial parent.