Newborn to be taken from Mom

[zookeeper]

I too have seen both sides of the system. In my original post I try to point out deficiencies in the system. Once you are in the system is is difficult to get out. My concern for this young family is not in the chance that they may indeed be unfit parents, but in the event that they are not being allowed the chance to even prove themselves, that they may be being judged on previous errors in judgement or life skills.

I have seen also the other side, where children have begged to be noticed, and pleaded for help but were not taken seriously because of their parents' status or affluence.

I have also seen children in need fall through cracks in more than one system.

I know many kind, caring and extremely hard working people working to prevent both.

I will continue to follow this story with great interest.

[mexi cali]

Redundant I know but there is so much more to this than what the article is supplying.

[Mtn Biker]

Obviously, we all understand that there is more to this story than any of us understand, but you have to understand that the real information required to properly assess the situation will never be released to the public. We will never see the entire story.

My daughter is a social worker with child protection. The anonymous stories that she has told me are so horrendous, so despicable, so absolutely shocking, that I will not even hint at them, but they happen every day, to every social class, in every BC town and city. Most days after work, she sits down and cries.

I do not want to suggest that these horrendous events are in any way related to this story, but I do want to point out that there are hundreds of professional social workers at work every day, doing what they dedicate themselves to do, protecting the most vulnerable children that we could ever imagine, in fact, from things we can not imagine. They are supported by a thousand more specialists, lawyers, police, doctors, physiologists and experts who also dedicate their personal mental well-being in such selfless pursuits. We as a society, must hold to the belief that we have empowered these experts to do what has to be done, from initial contact, to assessment, to treatment and outcome as many of these children are in the system from before they are born, to well after they achieve adulthood.

I urge all of you to resist the urge to be outraged or any other similar emotional outburst, by a case in which none of us know the facts, and to trust that the case will be dealt with in as kind and as compassionate method required to achieve the desired outcome of saving our children from as much harm as possible. Inflaming the situation with needless outbursts benefits no one.

Nice passionate response, but I don't buy what your selling. I don't know your daughter, but I know many social workers in many situations and not too many impress me. Most don't. Most are more dysfunctional in their own affairs than many cases they oversee. I also have experience with adults with learning deficiencies and there are few reasons they would not be capable of being outstanding parents. Most have a large support network and together are as capable of being good parents as most "normal" people. Why this is wrong is the criteria used for the decision is dated and the ministry refuses to do another assessment - that's right, refuses. That says it all. Power mongering bureaucrats with art degrees. It's actually really sad how much waste of taxpayer money exists in these government organizations. If our company had such unproductive people employed, we'd be out of business.

[LoneWolf_53]

CYA mode, supercedes whatever issue at hand, from my experiences.

[JLives]

Why is the story called "Newborn Taken From Mom"? I imagine Dad is pretty heartbroken as well. It should be titled "Newborn Taken From Parents".

I know a woman who had 4 children removed from her care and just had another baby which she still has custody of. I really feel for these people and the Ministry really seems to be overstepping their boundaries.

[Tero]

Obviously, we all understand that there is more to this story than any of us understand, but you have to understand that the real information required to properly assess the situation will never be released to the public. We will never see the entire story.

My daughter is a social worker with child protection. The anonymous stories that she has told me are so horrendous, so despicable, so absolutely shocking, that I will not even hint at them, but they happen every day, to every social class, in every BC town and city. Most days after work, she sits down and cries.

I do not want to suggest that these horrendous events are in any way related to this story, but I do want to point out that there are hundreds of professional social workers at work every day, doing what they dedicate themselves to do, protecting the most vulnerable children that we could ever imagine, in fact, from things we can not imagine. They are supported by a thousand more specialists, lawyers, police, doctors, physiologists and experts who also dedicate their personal mental well-being in such selfless pursuits. We as a society, must hold to the belief that we have empowered these experts to do what has to be done, from initial contact, to assessment, to treatment and outcome as many of these children are in the system from before they are born, to well after they achieve adulthood.

I urge all of you to resist the urge to be outraged or any other similar emotional outburst, by a case in which none of us know the facts, and to trust that the case will be dealt with in as kind and as compassionate method required to achieve the desired outcome of saving our children from as much harm as possible. Inflaming the situation with needless outbursts benefits no one.

Like times a thousand.

[Mtn Biker]

Why is the story called "Newborn Taken From Mom"? I imagine Dad is pretty heartbroken as well. It should be titled "Newborn Taken From Parents".

I know a woman who had 4 children removed from her care and just had another baby which she still has custody of. I really feel for these people and the Ministry really seems to be overstepping their boundaries.

If more people heard about some of the stories, maybe more people would act with their vote. My experiences are enough to know they seldom get it right. They are either too lenient and abuse is allowed, or they make snap judgments and good people are denied some very primal basic human experiences. Regrettably for me, I just know of too many situations where government appointed ministry types make terrible decisions because they have no first hand knowledge. They do assessments without ever meeting the person they are assessing, how is that possible? These weak efforts are being paid for by us. We deserve a say in how they go about their business, and we certainly should be allowed to measure their effectiveness and competencies. We are not, we just have to take it. Stop it by using your right to vote.

[Bretbaby]

I saw this story on Global a week or two ago. The first child (they never said where it was) was taken away because of abuse/violence in the previous relationship. It didn't specify whether it was the mother.. boyfriend.. or both.

As well, the grandparents were in the process of moving in when the Global story aired. Giving the child to the grandparents to care for - well if they live in the same house.... ?

Lastly, what is their learning disability? Maybe it's something that would affect their ability to provide for their child?

It does seem sad that they take a child away and throw it into foster care.

[zookeeper]

If more people heard about some of the stories

We do hear the stories....http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-108333-3-.htm#108333

[Catri]

This story is typical of our local media. It could not be more one-sided and incomplete. Obviously the authorities can't comment on it because they're bound by privacy laws, but why don't the reporters on these stories ask some questions to fill in the information voids? Like, why exactly was the first child taken away? What are the parent's learning disabilities and how do they bear on their ability to parent? And the big one, to just slip in an allegation as serious as the older child being "abused and neglected" in foster care without checking on it is unconscionable! These things should be backed up with some actual reporting instead of just publishing unsubstantiated stories.

[mexi cali]

Why is the story called "Newborn Taken From Mom"? I imagine Dad is pretty heartbroken as well. It should be titled "Newborn Taken From Parents".

I know a woman who had 4 children removed from her care and just had another baby which she still has custody of. I really feel for these people and the Ministry really seems to be overstepping their boundaries.

I like this post except for the second paragraph. There are lots, and I mean lots of situations where the womans ability to carry a fetus to term does not make her a capable parent..

I get that the Ministry is effed up, for sure. But despite their best efforts, some kids actually get the help they need.

I am not however saying that the person whom you know is an example of an unfit mom. I am saying that sometimes the system does work. maybe rarely but sometimes.

[W105]

yes but "maybe" shouldn't be good enough when it comes to a child/ren's welfare....personally I think the whole system with the Ministry needs a massive tune up...I've seen hardcore drug addicts lose their kids (and very rightly so) and get them back after a yr of soberity (which is by no means enough time to prove you have control over your demons of addiction) and some have jumped thru so many hoops and did everything right to the letter and still not get full custody of their kids...I also know a guy who put his 2 kids into Foster Care of his sister and she gets paid for that and he has no drug issues, a full time high paying job and he pays nothing for his kids and isn't forced to either...yet he can get them anytime he wants (hence he deals with his sister)..talk about abusing the system

I also have seen many grandparents caring for their kids, kids (on a limited income) and they recieve no monies from the government...there's way too many variables...but regardless, I too agree, there is much more to this story that isn't being said.

[normaM]

Why are they even on the radar?
Hope there is more to the story than some misguided SW deciding to " make things right" Not like the News hasn't had stories of children abused in foster care
If those are indeed Amber's words she is brighter than some I've heard speak to the media

[TJ778]

http://globalnews.ca/news/1104141/watch ... keep-baby/

Is this the video from a few weeks ago?

[Mtn Biker]

We do hear the stories....http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-108333-3-.htm#108333

That's an example, a very sad one that made the news, two counting this story, how many don't? What I am talking about is support people who work for non profits tasked with providing the support and services these ministries are budgeted to provide and oversee, and the level of frustration felt on behalf of non profit service providers because of the incompetent or lack of caring of ministry types is beyond acceptable. When minister employees who are tasked with communicating and providing status updates and information so service providers can do their work, and they can't bother to reply to phone messages, emails, in useful manner, let alone a timely one, is credulous and should not be. Period. We pay their salaries and if you knew how little they do, how many there are that fit the mold, you would be standing at their offices demanding to know why? That's the point trying to be made. The systems and its workers are so far from effective and efficient is makes one upset to see the waste first hand. Any persons under care and their care givers are the ones who ultimately suffer, while Jane Doe government worker makes their $80K per year to do as little as they can get away with. Seen it, hear it, front and center on a daily basis. Those are the stories you don't hear about.