Bring Cason Home

The pride and joy of my life is my 15-year-old Cason. He is the sweetest, most polite, obedient, helpful, cleanest, quietest, and most loving child I have ever known to exist. He doesn’t back talk, ask for money or things, bully, gossip, lie, manipulate, or any other typical terrible teen traits. He is easy to please, appreciative, respectful, and kind. Being autistic, he struggles with communication, sensory overload, emotional regulation, obsessive behaviors, and stimming. Occasionally, he will slap or squeeze when he gets overwhelmed. This behavior is very brief and primarily always directed at his caregivers, me and his dad. This is common in autism and it has been a lifelong occurrence. It is not often and only lasts a few minutes.

He lived primarily with me, having weekend visits with his dad, until nearly a year and a half ago. The end of a very toxic relationship abruptly left Cason and me without a home and me struggling with my mental health, so for the time being, Cason went to live with his father. Soon after, there was the death of my mother as well as ongoing torment from my ex. Cason's father attempted to gain full custody, which was denied, but it was mutually agreed upon between us that Cason remain with his dad since he was enrolled in a new school and better therapy options were available in his area. The loss of my former partner and mother also eradicated my options of having anyone available to be with Cason so I could go to work. It was my understanding at the time that his father had the best intentions.

Within months of legal custody being established, his father's wife, who was such a verbal faux advocate for Cason on FB, left their home and refused to have any further interactions with Cason or live in the home after he slapped her on the back a couple of times. He began inquiring into facility placement, which I have been absolutely opposed to. Despite being offered a multitude of other solutions and options, his father declined all. Without my consent and despite my very verbal disagreement, he had Cason placed into a behavioral hospital twice, for a week each in February and March. Five days ago, he informed me that placement had been found for Cason at Pinecrest in Pineville. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined his father would do this. It was all arranged without my knowledge or my consent.

Last week Cason was moved into Pinecrest. My 15-year-old son. My sweet Angel. My entire world. I have no words to describe this pain and utter terror. My child does not belong there; he does not belong in a facility. He deserves to be home being loved and supported. This is absolutely unbearable. That place is horrid. It was described to me by the Department of Health as “the last resort facility of Louisiana.” It is inhabitable, it is filthy, it is riddled with condemned buildings, it is appalling. The home that my precious child is forced to be in is a disgrace to house children.

I bring him home with me on all my off days and will continue to do so until I gain custody or he is kicked out for maxing out his allowed leave days. He has been approved by the state to have paid sitters, but his father refused that option and insisted he stay at Pinecrest. Because he is the “domicile” parent, I am not eligible to receive those services, which is the exact solution that I need to be able to have him full-time.

I will fight this with everything have and for as long as it takes. It is heartbreaking that it will take time with a custody fight before I can even apply for services that will then take even more time to set into place. My poor baby will have to suffer in hell while waiting for me, but I’m on my way. 

Asking for help to cover legal services and sitter expenses until assistance is put into place. 

Thanks so much!!