Donate to Heather's Family Reunification Effort

Hello people, my name is Anthony Haughton. From 2009 until my retirement in 2022, I was an attorney representing children and families in the Iowa Juvenile Court system. In Iowa, child welfare cases are called Child In Need of Assistance (CINA) cases. I have represented over 1,000 children in my tenure as a child advocate. One of the major failings of the system is the shortcomings of the foster care system, not only in Iowa but nationwide.

The situation I wish to address here and request your assistance for is the case of a former client named Heather Cardona. I met Heather and her family when she was only 9 years old and represented her until she was 18. I became involved with her and her family due to abuse (by her mother's paramours) and familial neglect. Placed in the foster care system on and off for years, Heather was subjected to unimaginable trauma, until she eventually aged-out of the system at 18 years-old. At that point, the system abandoned her and as with so many other children in the system, was left to her own devices.

In spite of this history, this strong, resilient young woman has persevered, graduating from high school (on time), working hard and raising two beautiful children of her own, Sarohai (3) and Torrenzo (1). But that was not enough for Heather; having siblings that remain in the foster care system in Iowa and Nebraska at present. Heather is fighting to keep her family together for those siblings still in foster care. In her efforts to keep her family from being scattered to the four winds, Heather has convinced authorities in Iowa and Nebraska, to allow her to become a foster mother to two of her brothers, Jacob (8) and Jesus (7), now living with her. Heather also has a brother Eduardo (18), who is also having difficulty transitioning from foster care to independent living also living with her.

Unfortunately, Heather's family dynamics are even more complicated due to a mother who's personal responsibility was, to put it politely, severely lacking. Heather has three more siblings, sisters, Celia (16), Renesmae (12) and Brisieda (9), that still remain in foster care.

Heather is looking for a larger home that will accommodate this family so she can support and care for ALL of her siblings that remain in the system. Obviously, this is a huge responsibility, one that places me in awe of the strength, resilience and character of this young woman. She is fighting for her family and fighting foster care systems in two states that have failed this family, due to no fault of her or her siblings. This young woman, 22 years-old, a survivor of a failed systems (familial and governmental), still has the wherewithal to care for her 5 younger siblings ages 18, 12, 9, 8, 7, as well as her own children ages 3 and 1. (All US citizens, born and raised here, in case you're wondering).

Please, help me help her and her family, as she is more than worthy of not only your support, but your love, respect and admiration.

Thank you.

Anthony Haughton, Sr., Esq.

Attorney at Law (retired)