[mom_bug]

Hello-
We have a 6 1/2 month old baby boy, placed in Sept. We're foster-adopt. He was born meth+; mom had no prenatal care & was on it for quite some time. Baby placed in foster care directly from hospital.... mom had couple visits, then just stopped going/communicating with anyone until Nov Dependency Review Hearing-- at which she showed up & wanted to get back in picture. She & birthdad boyfriend were given visits 2x/week (showed up at first, then would miss about every other one); weekly random urine tests (no shows lately to those); mental health eval last week (both no showed to that); Parenting classes at YWCA (missed half already).
***Our social worker said there will be a meeting (she said "not a court hearing", at the Juvenile Court Bldg with social worker, DCFS atty, GAL, parents, parents atty if they decide to get one - haven't to this point) this coming Friday regarding termination. (The termination petition was filed, and the parents were served) She said they may not show, and it would go to default. OK- I am confused. She had just left me a v/m regarding this, and she is off next week so I need to find out what she's talking about. (I'm really not stupid, but for all processes/court hearings I am)
****So, does this sound like the termination hearing, or pre-term hearing? So if parents don't show, and it goes to default, does that mean the parents rights are terminated that day?
If anyone can give me some info, it would be most appreciated! Thank you!

[fm22]

Hi. I am a foster to adopt mom in WA Region 3. What you are talking about is a meeting to see if the parents will voluntarily terminate their parental rights. If they will do this there will still have to be a court hearing but it is much easier. If they will not this will eventually be set for a termination trial. I wish it were that easy, I have two foster sons, one I have had since Oct. 2002, he is legally free since May 2004, but still waiting for State to finish their paperwork so we can file for adoption and one legally free this month. If you want to e-mail me privately, please do. I belong to a Foster/Adoptive parents advisory board and can probably help you find people to talk to in your Region if you are in Washington.

[sheree72]

We to are exciting about the idea of adopting our little girl. We have had her for 6 weeks now and she is 4 months old. They put in for termination about 4 weeks ago so we are extremelly lucky and rare. She had 3 other children that have been terminated. I know she showed up (45 minutes late) to a visit before we received her, but thats it. Like we have been told no news is good news, we have no idea were bio mom is. Dad (supposed dad) is in and out of prison and everytime they want to send kit for paternity hes back out again. We took little one in for testing so at least we can say we had done our part. I hope everything goes well with your adoption process...We live in WA to . :-)