[lakin11]

Hi everyone. Please be in prayer for my 3 babies! We got word last week that bdad has finally contacted the Mexican consulate's offices and wants the kids returned to him in Mexico. We were worried, but not overly so until we found out that the GAL supposedly (and possibly the judge) are under the impression that the consulate has the right to overrule any decision made by the judge. We've consulated some lawyers, with experience in these types of cases and they've NEVER heard of such a thing. Again they confirm what we'd already been told which is that the consulate's office can make recommendations for placement, but they cannot override the judge's decision. So we are doing our best to inform GAL and those in charge of these things.....letting them know whats what. Please be in prayer! We got to court next week for filing of TPR....this may or may not cause problems.
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[straightblues]

My prayers will be with you. I have never heard of it before. I would recommend that you do retain an attorney. The last thing you want is the social workers just going along with the Consulate because it is the easiest thing to do.

[Kelly Rae]

Prayers being lifted up. So sorry for all this puts you through.

[Lamaena]

My prayers are with you, hopefully everything will work itself out in the children's best interest.

[lakin11]

I finally spoke to GAL today.....I'm not happy with her at all. She is in the thinking that b/c biological family (bdad, pgrandparents) are trying to get the kids, then that is what is best for them. They do NOT EVEN KNOW THESE GRANDPARENTS! These grandparents who have waited for over a year before becoming involved. One who was reportedly dealing with major health issues. I'm just at a loss as for how she can say this is in the best interest of the kids. Especially when it involves them moving to a different country! The GAL has never met the children either. CASA reports that the children are doing very well, happy, and healthy, etc. GAL says its nothing against us, just that the kids need to be with their father. I asked what about bdad's FELONY domestic violence conviction, and she more or less acted like it wasn't all his fault, and bmom may have pushed him to it. My cousin who is a lawyer here says for them to convict him of a felony charge, it had to be really bad b/c this county is notorious for pleading down to misdemeanors. She says the Mexican govt's report claims dad would be a wonderful father and she has no reason to question that?!? I'm not saying he's the devil, but nor is he an angel! I just cannot believe how she is blindly making this decision... (she's also never met bdad). We have a CASA worker, but from what little we've seen of him, I don't think he's going to do anything. He had no plans of going to court and the GAL's office is basically his boss on such matters. I don't know if I went to him it would do any good. The children have voiced many times, they do not want to live w/ bdad. GAL says they are too young to have a say at all. Its been almost 2 years since they've seen this man and the last time he did, he beat the sh*t out of their mother.
CW says they are still going to file for TPR, but if DCS changes their position before the hearing next week, there isn't a whole lot she can do other than voice her adament objection to the children being returned to this man.
Please continue to pray..things keep spiraling out of control.

[lakin11]

DH and I met with lawyers today. We have filed a petition to adopt the children. Not sure how things will turn out tomorrow, but we know we've done the best we can for the kids. Hoping the judge makes the best decision in the matter and allows the kids to remain here. However, if its God's will they be sent to bdad, we know we've loved them and given them the happiness and stability they never had before and hopefully they will carry that with them! Court is tomorrow afternoon!

[mrstkg1]

I'm so sorry this is happening, I will be praying for you. Please pray for our dear one also, she is in similar jeopardy, though different circumstances.

[twinflana]

I will definately keep you and those precious babies in my prayers.

[ouska]

You are in my prayers.

[lakin11]

Well the kids are still with us! We don't know for how long of
course. Things are still up in the air as far as how things will
progress, but we feel better about it all. More or less no decision
was made today and stuff continued until April. At this point, it
will all be laid out on the table. Lawyer has to prove the consulate
does not have the authority, etc. They will also start preparing
things to defend the best interests of the kids. We aren't sure what
will happen, but its looking up. Our biggest fear was we'd walk in
today and the judge would say they (him/court) have no say in the
matter and turn the kids over....not b/c thats what the law says, but
b/c they didn't want to fight the issue. However, this was not the
case.
Be praying for the kids.....there is a lot of anxiety, anger,
confusion going on. And we can't really do a lot to set their minds
at ease.

Thanks for the prayers and keep them coming!!

[straightblues]

Good luck! I think it is great you got your own attorney. Stay strong I know this is really really hard.

[kaylasmom]

YOu will be in our prayers as well. I hope the court does the right thing not the easy thing.

[ca-bigsister]

I was a CASA in Los Angeles. CASAs in LA are highly trained volunteers supervised by full-time, permanent supervisers.

I would definitely speak to the CASA and seeing what he is doing. If he isn't doing anything, you might want to speak to his full-time superviser.

[lakin11]

Actually, the CASA worker is less than enthusiastic to be part of this. He has only seen the kids 2x, seems terrified of them...like cringes if they come near him!! He said he doesn't know whats best for him, so he'll leave that up to the GAL office. Ugh! Regardless of what they think though, we have some pretty powerful evidence we are collecting to show how harmful it would be to the children to be reunited with bdad. We may even have some civil right issues due to them moving to Mexico denies them their American citizen rights. We have a month to continue to gather evidence. We don;t know what will happen, but we are going to fight to keep these kids safe!

[ca-bigsister]

If the CASA cringes at the kids and only has seen them two times, that's wrong. I was supposed to see my kids once a month at least. I'd speak to the CASA and ask who the supervisor is, because at least in California, they are permanent, full-time paid employees.

I would ask about that because CASAs have resources available and might be able to work through the bureaucracy a little.