Help Ian Lawyer Up and Come Back Home

Update: Sept. 27th 2019 - Our case was to be adjudicated today. Unfortunately due to lack of legal representation, the hearing date has been set for Oct. 25th 2019. The court refused to listen to Ian’s father when he told them about his latest appointed attorney’s 2 month long European vacation. Now on Oct 25th when the court realizesthe attorney is not present, they will file another continuance and Ian will be stuck in foster care for that much longer. They are holding a child against their will, keeping him away from the parents he wants to be with and doing so without ever proving that what they have done and are continuing to do is justified or even legal. The Ashe county DSS is needlessly traumatizing a 17 month old boy. Please help this family out and end to this nightmare. Donate to allow them to retain a proper attorney who will fight for their sons return.

-What the family wants:
     We have started this campaign to help raise funds to retain an Attorney. One who can get our Son, Ian Vincent Roark, back home to his adoring and loving parents, where he belongs and rightfully wants to be. Ian's family only wants the best for him and that is why they haven't stopped fighting for him. They have been fighting DSS in the courts for 3 months now. Not only that, they have also done everything that has been asked of them by DSS. Their compliance hasn't gotten them any closer to getting Ian back.

-What happened:
     Ian was unlawfully taken by Ashe county DSS on July 2nd 2019. Ian's parents, Josh and Genna are facing accusations of child neglect. However, those who know them and those who have met Ian, know that Ian was their pride and joy! Ian was doted over and was never exposed to any sort of neglect or danger. Ian's father Josh, started his own computer repair business from home before Ian was born so that he could spend as much time with his son as possible and watch and help him grow and learn. Until Ian was taken, he had never been away from his parent's sides for more than an hour. Ian spent all of his time with family, be it immediate or extended. He would spend afternoons with his parents and his Great Grandmother Ola. Ms. Ola absolutley loves and adores Ian and it has been a terrible shock to her as well as Ian's Grandma and Grandpa.
     The county has yet to prove their case against the parents and yet they have reduced their visitation rights and have said that anyone would be niave to think that this case would be over anytime soon or that Ian will be able to go home at any point in the near future. The county has broken numerous laws and has failed to follow DSS protocol throughout this case and have been made aware of these facts. Yet the county refuses to drop the case. 

-The situation:    
     While Ian has been in foster care, the family has documented his condition. They have taken numerous photographs showing that Ian has been neglected and possibly abused while in the care of the state. The family has photographs, which show a child with such terrible diaper rash and ammonia burns that he had open seeping wounds with his skin literally peeling away. This diaper rash lasted over two and a half months. Other photos show cuts, bruises and a gouge on the top of Ian's head. These pictures have been taken to court where they were met with actual laughter from the Judge and DSS attorneys. They claimed, diaper rash, ammonia burns, bruises on the face and head as well as cuts were all normal and were not grounds for having Ian moved to another foster family.
     Ian's family has gone through three different court appointed attorney's and an entire law firm. The first two attorney's withdrew from the case due to conflicts of interest. They didn't want to press on with the case and fight DSS due to fears of possible retaliation from DSS towards their other clients. The third court appointed attorney has told the family that he cannot continue with the case due to a previously planned European vacation scheduled for the next 2 months. He told the family, "clearly I have bigger things to handle than your little case..." and then hung up the phone. When Ian's family called the court's clerk to ask who their new attorney would be, they replied, "We don't have any other attorney's who can take your case. You will have to retain one on your own."
     September 27th was supposed to be the date of adjudication, when the family would have the chance to defend themselves and present the evidence of DSS's wrongdoings, however, it is now going to be a day for the family to plead with the Judge for help. The family cannot afford to retain an attorney on their wages. The family has the right to a court appointed attorney, however the court is not providing another one to them. They don't know where to turn or who to go to. All they want in the world is for thier precious, amazing, beautiful baby boy to be able to come home to them.

-How you can help:
     Please donate to the family's cause. Help them retain an attorney you will fight for them and bring their son home. If you know of an attorney who can help and is able to pratice law in North Carolina, please email [email redacted] or [email redacted] and let them know. Even if you cannot donate, please show them support by sharing this page with anyone and everyone. Get the word out and help Ian lawyer up!