Foster Parents Fighting for Son's Best Interest

Foster Family Advocates for Son's Best Interests. 

In the State of Florida, foster parents  have very little rights. 
As a "participant status" in a child dependency case,  there in NO right for a foster parent to give testimony, provide expert witness, or introduce any arguement in favor of a child's best interest.  If a foster parent is permitted to speak at a hearing, the information provided does not have to be taken into consideration for a Judge's ruling.    Many times,  case managers and Guardian ad Litem program make recommendations based on unfounded reasoning, outdated case law,  and many times it contradicts the best interests of the child.     

Who knows the child's needs better than the actual foster parents raising them?   

This case is more than just about one foster parent fighting for their rights.  It about all foster parents having rights to be able to advocate for the child's best interests in the court of law.    If we can raise the funds, we would like to try some different legal implications, challenge dated case law that is still being cited and establish new precedents in the child dependency court system for others.

Our foster son, *Chris, has been with us for the past 15 months.  Prior to living with our family, he had been exposed to signifant risk factors;  neglect, deemed failure to thrive at 2 months of age, been through multiple placements and care takers, exposed to domemstic violence in the household, history of health and attachment issues stemming from lack of permancy and trauma.  He has been a product of the system for 3 years.  Despite all of this, he generally is a happy little boy who has grown to trust and love us.  Our family loves Chris and hopes to adopt.   Our daughter Mia, identifies Chris as her little brother.    The thought of losing this precious little boy is unimaginable and every mother's worst nightmare.   

Chris has a younger brother that born and entered the system a year after Chris.   He is being raised by another foster family who also wishes to adopt.     Up until a month ago, both foster families were encouraged by case managment to adopt separately.    That is no longer the case.  Case managment has decided to move Chris from us and place him with the other family despite the fact that both families are committed to maintaining the sibling relationship post adopotion.  Chris' therapist has written that "removing Chris from his bonded home after the trauma he has experienced, would devastate him and potentially impact his ability to bond and form relationships in the future. " Our family would also welcome Chris' little brother in our household, if given the opportunity.   

There is a hearing set for September 23rd, for the Judge to make a ruling that could potentially devastate and impact our son's well-being and development for the rest of his life.   Finding an attorney that is specialized in this field is difficult and costly.   I have retained Alan I. Mishael, P.A. from Miami to advocate for the best interests of our son,  *Chris.   At this time, the monies we have given him to get this case started, have been exhausted.  To move forward,  we are seeking donations for legal expenses.    


Your prayers and generosity is greatly appreciated!  Please share my story!

Angela, Jonathan, Mia and Chris. 

The Tampa Bay Area is number one for children coming into foster care.   Judges have been under scrutiny for inconsistent rulings over cases similiar to mine for the past several months in the Tampa Bay Times paper.  

Recent Articles in the Tampa Bay Times: 

https://tampabaytimes-fl.newsmemory.com/?publink=07d36a723

https://www.tampabay.com/news/pasco/2020/06/22/she-was-his-foster-mom-most-of-his-life-now-pasco-woman-faces-losing-3-year-old-boy-she-wants-to-adopt/

https://www.tampabay.com/news/pasco/2020/06/25/judge-orders-removal-of-3-year-old-boy-from-pasco-foster-mom-who-agreed-to-adopt-him/

https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2020/01/17/pinellas-now-ranks-no-2-in-all-florida-for-children-in-foster-care/

* Name changed to protect his identity.