CPS is a joke

[diana cornwell]

Let me tell you something. I have a 14 yr old stepdaughter who is being abused both physically and sexually. she has written Emails to us about it so i have tons of proof. we live in a different state and we are told that we have to travel to the state she lives in to do anything about it but....CPS also told us that what we have does not qualify as abuse. let me clarify. we have one letter from her that states her stepfather threw a stereo speaker at her and we are told that since it did not make contact they cannot consider that abuse. Now two weeks ago that piece of trash actually fired a shotgun over my stepdaughters head and two of her friends. They were to afraid to call the police but did report it to the school. Her school has sent us an Email stating that her stepfather has already had one visit due to claims of sexual abuse but since we are in another state we are told it is second hand info and they cannot do anything about it. This is now the second claim my stepdaughter has made to CPS about this. WHY are they continuing to allow her to stay there. My husband and i cannot afford the bus cost and dont have a car so CPS basically told us sorry bout your luck. what a crock. Now we are told that we can file for emergency custody which takes much longer than an emergency protection order but we are also told we cannot file for it ourselves that our state requires a lawyer to file for this. well if i cant afford a bus ticket how in the heck to they expect me to afford a lawyer. This young lady is in danger and basically everywhere we turn it seems churches, organizations, and even some family wont do anything to help. Yes, we are of limited funds and it would be difficult on us financially but i would much rather have her here and us broke then her there and being hurt. the kicker to this story.... her mother knows all about it and has done nothing except this.... she sided with her husband and shipped her daughter off to her grandmothers another one that is doing nothing. but since my husband does not have custody, even if we could afford to just go get her...legally he cant. It just seems to me that this world is only concerned about the children who's parent(s) have the money to do anything about the situation. There is something wrong with this picture.

[diana cornwell]

THANK YOU

[DodiaFae]

Considering all the calls made to them and all the electronic "paper trails", there is simply no way that they could place the blame on anyone else. I just pray that it doesn't come to that.

If I can think of any helpful advice, I'll let you know. I'll keep thinking on it and post anything else I come up with.

[diana cornwell]

she is afraid to. i have tried to get her to but she is really afraid. her cousin called once when she had a bruise on her neck from where he grabbed her and they did nothing.Like i said in my original post. no one seems to be concerned but i guarantee if she were laying in a casket they would be and then blaming everyone else for not doing anything

[DodiaFae]

It's hard not to be concerned. The info you've given is very concerning, and I've heard many stories of CPS dropping the ball for any number of reasons.

Has your stepdaughter contacted the police about this? My understanding is that if a child reports abuse of any kind to the police, it must be investigated. Especially if sexual abuse is involved. It could be different in her area (or they could just be horribly dropping the ball, as CPS is.)

[diana cornwell]

i want to thank you for your concern. yes we have notified the police but since we live out of state they told us it is considered second hand knowledge and there is nothing they can do. i have thought about notifying local papers in her aria but i am concerned as to what her step father would do after reading it. my husband and i are not giving up though. we are still trying everything we can. i would be happy to keep you informed of anything new. i know getting this into the courtroom will take a while but it just seems as if you would think someone would take immediate action

[DodiaFae]

Ug... what an awful situation. I'm sorry I didn't see this post two days ago.

Have you tried calling the police? Tell them everything and forward the emails to them. It seems to me that these are criminal acts, and that the police would have jurisdiction and would not have to rely solely on CPS to act.

If that doesn't work, contact a local paper (in your area *and* your stepdaughter's) and alert them to what is happening. Check her area to see if there is a BACA chapter nearby and ask them if there is anything they can do to help.

In the meantime, I will think on this situation some more and ask around for other advice that may help. Perhaps others here may have some additional advice.

Blessings,
~ DodiaFae