Blogs by Deborah K. Frontiera
Fighting CPS
6/11/2012 12:04:47 PM
The purpose of this blog is to provide updates on some of the cases I reported in my book (Fighting CPS: Guilty Until Proven Innocent of Child Protective Services Charges ISBN 9-780-9800061-6-2) that had not been resolved when the book went to press, and to report other cases where CPS is not working up to par. I’d also like to hear about cases in which Child Protective Services did the right thing so those cases can serve as examples of what should be done. Occasionally, I will report helpful tips and web sites with advice on fighting CPS.
To comment on this blog, or to tell your story, email Deborah Frontiera at frontiera.fightingcps.deborah.gmail.com
This blog will post new material two times a month, instead of every week. Look for the next post June 25, 2012.
Too Much Tragedy
The Houston Chronicle never fails to provide me with material when I need it, but I always wait a month or so before reporting anything to this blog. Two reasons for that: it keeps me in line with “fair use” because items are now “old news”; and it provides time for the ideas to simmer into better opinion pieces. The “City & State Section” on May 3, 2012, was full of tragedy and death for children, with multiple reports of very sad cases.
The front page of that day’s City & State section told of a child found dead, wrapped in a blanket in a refrigerator. Neighbors were saddened and shocked because they had often seen the baby, proudly carried by his father around the apartment complex. It was the lack of seeing him and the baby that made these neighbors think something was not quite right, but they didn’t act at the time. The man himself—a middle-aged veteran—called 911 to say he was suicidal. Authorities arrived to find him collapsed on the floor, unresponsive at first and then violent when he came around, yelling that he had killed his child. The man was taken to an area hospital with self-inflicted injuries and placed under guard pending investigation. The story continued to relate that the child’s mother (a woman in her 20’s) had left him about a month before, but was unable to take the baby with her at that time. She trusted the father of her child, even though he had a criminal past and history of drug abuse, because he had made significant changes in his life. (Neighbors also stated that the baby seemed to be his whole life and made a new person of him.) The mother was returning to bring the child more diapers after caring for a sick relative in a near-by community when police called her to report the child’s death. The mother was “in shock” and never expected what had occurred. Police said there was no sign of trauma to the child’s body.
Inside that same May 3 Houston Chronicle City & State section were three other short reports:
1. A mother facing charges for beating her daughter with a belt—at school and in front of teachers and administrators! She was quoted as saying the assistant principal “wouldn’t be able to save her,” as she pulled her daughter by the jacket and began beating her head against a wall. When the girl fell to the floor, the woman began kicking her in the face and arms. A teacher and a security guard had to physically remove the woman from the girl.
2. A Louisiana couple was arrested for allegedly neglecting and starving their five-week-old son at a motel in Webster, TX. They are being held in jail on $50,000 bond. The man’s sister called police after visiting the couple and seeing the condition of the child. The couple initially refused to let police into the room, but when they did, police called EMS immediately when they saw the child. The baby was reported to be in critical condition in an area hospital.
3. A seven-year-old girls family called police when she came home from a visit with her father (a man with a long criminal history including murder) limping and complaining of back pain. Apparently the father had heard his daughter was “not being good” and had bound, gagged her and beat her with what she described as a “white hot belt.”
Yet another short article related that a five-year-old boy was making “near miraculous recovery” from a throat-slashing at the hands of his delusional mother who said she was trying to “release the demons” when she cut his throat nearly from ear to ear and stomped his head. In that case, CPS caseworkers told the judge that they hope for a relative to adopt or become managing conservator of the child. That mother remains in jail without bond on attempted murder charges. CPS has not recommended the father of the boy for custody because he apparently knew his wife was delusional, but did not believe she would harm the child. The father is allowed to visit the child but must undergo a lot of evaluation if he hopes to regain custody.
No matter what we do, there are some things we cannot prevent. But, as Ms. M32 suggested in my March 26 posting, keep an eye on your neighbors; reach out to help them. You never know when you may be the one to prevent a tragedy.
Post a Comment
More Blogs by Deborah K. Frontiera
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Saturday, September 5, 2026
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Tuesday, August 4, 2026
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, July 6, 2026
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Tuesday, June 2, 2026
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Tuesday, May 5, 2026
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, April 6, 2026
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, March 2, 2026
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, March 2, 2026
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, February 2, 2026
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, January 5, 2026
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, December 8, 2025
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, November 3, 2025
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, November 3, 2025
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, November 3, 2025
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, October 6, 2025
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, September 8, 2025
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, August 4, 2025
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, August 4, 2025
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, July 7, 2025
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, June 2, 2025
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Tuesday, May 6, 2025
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Tuesday, April 1, 2025
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, March 3, 2025
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, February 3, 2025
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, January 6, 2025
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, December 2, 2024
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, November 4, 2024
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Saturday, October 5, 2024
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, September 2, 2024
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, August 5, 2024
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, August 5, 2024
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, July 1, 2024
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Friday, June 7, 2024
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Tuesday, May 7, 2024
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Tuesday, April 2, 2024
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, March 4, 2024
• One Writers Random Thoughts - Monday, February 5, 2024
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Thursday, January 4, 2024
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, December 4, 2023
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, November 6, 2023
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Thursday, October 5, 2023
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, September 4, 2023
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, August 7, 2023
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Tuesday, July 11, 2023
• One Writers Random Thoughts - Tuesday, June 6, 2023
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, May 8, 2023
• One Writer's Random thoughts - Tuesday, April 11, 2023
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, March 6, 2023
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Tuesday, February 7, 2023
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Friday, January 6, 2023
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, December 5, 2022
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Saturday, November 12, 2022
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Thursday, October 6, 2022
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Tuesday, September 6, 2022
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Thursday, August 4, 2022
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Thursday, July 7, 2022
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, June 6, 2022
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Thursday, May 5, 2022
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, April 4, 2022
• One Writers Random Thoughts - Monday, March 7, 2022
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Tuesday, February 8, 2022
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Wednesday, January 5, 2022
• One Writers Random Thoughts - Monday, December 6, 2021
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Tuesday, November 2, 2021
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, October 18, 2021
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Tuesday, October 5, 2021
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Tuesday, September 21, 2021
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Tuesday, September 7, 2021
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, August 16, 2021
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, August 2, 2021
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, July 12, 2021
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, June 28, 2021
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Tuesday, June 15, 2021
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, May 10, 2021
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Monday, April 19, 2021
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Tuesday, April 6, 2021
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Sunday, March 21, 2021
• One Writer's Random Thoughts - Friday, March 5, 2021
• Fighting CPS - Monday, December 7, 2020
• Fighting CPS - Friday, November 6, 2020
• Fighting CPS - Tuesday, September 8, 2020
• Fighting CPS - Monday, August 10, 2020
• Fighting CPS - Tuesday, July 7, 2020
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, June 10, 2020
• Fighting CPS - Saturday, May 9, 2020
• Fighting CPS - Saturday, April 18, 2020
• Fighting CPS - Tuesday, March 10, 2020
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, February 5, 2020
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, January 8, 2020
• Fighting CPS - Friday, December 6, 2019
• Fighting CPS - Tuesday, November 5, 2019
• Fighting CPS - Tuesday, October 8, 2019
• Fighting CPS - Thursday, August 8, 2019
• Fighting CPS - Tuesday, July 9, 2019
• Fighting CPS - Monday, June 10, 2019
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, May 8, 2019
• Fighting CPS - Tuesday, April 16, 2019
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, March 6, 2019
• Fighting CPS - Thursday, February 7, 2019
• Fighting CPS - Tuesday, January 8, 2019
• Fighting CPS - Monday, December 10, 2018
• Foghting CPS - Monday, November 12, 2018
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, October 10, 2018
• Fighting CPS - Monday, August 13, 2018
• Fighting CPS - Tuesday, June 26, 2018
• Fighting CPS - Tuesday, May 8, 2018
• Fighting CPS - Thursday, April 5, 2018
• Fighting CPS - Monday, March 5, 2018
• Fighting CPS - Monday, January 29, 2018
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, December 6, 2017
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, October 4, 2017
• Fighting CPS - Thursday, August 10, 2017
• Fighting CPS - Saturday, July 15, 2017
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, May 10, 2017
• Fighting CPS - Monday, April 10, 2017
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, March 8, 2017
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, February 8, 2017
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, January 11, 2017
• Fighting CPS - Tuesday, December 6, 2016
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, November 9, 2016
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, October 12, 2016
• Fighting CPS - Monday, September 19, 2016
• Fighting CPS - Monday, September 5, 2016
• Fighting CPS - Monday, August 22, 2016
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, August 10, 2016
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, July 13, 2016
• Fighting CPS - Tuesday, June 21, 2016
• Fighting CPS - Saturday, June 4, 2016
• Fighting CPS - Tuesday, May 10, 2016
• Fighting CPS - Friday, April 29, 2016
• Fighting CPS - Tuesday, April 5, 2016
• Fighting CPS - Friday, March 11, 2016
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, February 24, 2016
• Fighting CPS - Thursday, February 4, 2016
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, January 24, 2016
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, January 6, 2016
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, December 6, 2015
• Fighting CPS - Monday, November 9, 2015
• Fighting CPS - Tuesday, October 13, 2015
• Fighting CPS - Saturday, September 12, 2015
• Fighting CPS - Friday, August 14, 2015
• Fighting CPS - Friday, July 17, 2015
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, June 24, 2015
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, June 3, 2015
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, May 20, 2015
• Fighting CPS - Friday, May 8, 2015
• Fighting CPS - Monday, April 20, 2015
• Fighting CPS - Tuesday, April 7, 2015
• Fighting CPS - Monday, March 9, 2015
• Fighting CPS - Monday, February 16, 2015
• Fighting CPS - Tuesday, February 10, 2015
• Fighting CPS - Tuesday, January 13, 2015
• Fighting CPS - Friday, January 2, 2015
• Fighting CPS - Friday, December 19, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Monday, December 8, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Monday, November 17, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Thursday, October 30, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, September 21, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, September 7, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, August 24, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, August 10, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Monday, July 28, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, July 13, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, June 22, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Saturday, June 7, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, May 25, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Saturday, May 10, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, April 27, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, April 13, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, March 23, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, March 9, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, February 23, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, February 9, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, January 26, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, January 12, 2014
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, December 29, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, December 15, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, November 24, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, November 10, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, October 27, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, October 13, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, September 22, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, September 8, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Monday, August 26, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, August 11, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, July 21, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Monday, July 8, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, June 23, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, June 9, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, May 26, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, May 12, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, April 21, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, April 7, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, March 24, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, March 10, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, February 24, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, February 10, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, January 27, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Monday, January 14, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, December 23, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, December 9, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, November 25, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, November 11, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, October 28, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, September 17, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, September 9, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, August 26, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, August 12, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, August 12, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, July 23, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, July 8, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, June 24, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, June 11, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, May 21, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, May 6, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, April 23, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, April 9, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, March 26, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, March 12, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, February 27, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, February 13, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, February 1, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, January 23, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, January 16, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, January 9, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, December 19, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, December 12, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, December 5, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, November 28, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, November 21, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, November 14, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, November 7, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, October 31, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, October 24, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, October 17, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, October 10, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, October 3, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, September 26, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, September 19, 2011
|
