Sam and I (Jeremy) learned two years ago that her nephew, Braxton was taken into foster care. The system in Michigan (we are in Kentucky) seemed to not be all that interested in keeping us informed or in the loop, even though we expressed concern for him and expressed our desire to adopt him. But after moving to terminate parental rights after 10 months of attempting to reunite the family, we were finally let in a little more. Parental rights were terminated in June and we were allowed to apply for his adoption. However, we were told that we would have to compete with the non-relative foster family that he is with.

We were finally allowed to visit him in November 2024, and have been given only 1-hour in-person visits and 2 20-minute virtual visits a month since. Then in February 2025, despite our approved home study and background checks in Kentucky, the agency and GAL have given their support to the foster family.

No reason has been given to us or the MCI Superintendent as to why we’re being denied, only the statement that he’s been with them since he was 3 weeks old, he’s familiar with them, and they’ve been taking care of him. Recently, local foster agencies and lawyers feel this full of suspicion, and Michigan advocacy groups see a lot of red flags in the case. Further, it’s come to light that the foster mother is also a social worker. So, we are looking to get a lawyer to fight for the right to raise our family member.

All donations will go toward legal retainer and fees in fighting the fight.