Sep 11th, 2008
Letter to the Judge
To the Honorable Commissioner McCarthy:
I wanted to respond to information said at the last court hearing that was not true.
It was said in court I contacted the Social Worker in late September. That did not happen. I was contacted by the Department September 7, 2007. My sister Marty was not proceeding with her request for placement of Bruce. Her husband was diagnosed with brain cancer. I went to DCS in Twin Falls, personally picked up a packet to fill out to request placement of Bruce. I returned it in 2 days and was scheduled for fingerprinted for October 18th.
I knew of the existence of Baby Bruce since his birth. My sister was the person that was seeking placement of Baby Bruce. When Marty withdrew her request for placement September 3rd, I was contacted by Michele on Bruce’s behalf on September 3rd. She contacted social services on September 4th. They in turn contacted me September 7th. I had already proceeded to start what was required to have Bruce with me.
My first visit with Baby Bruce was on November 14, 2007. I wanted to meet both sets of foster parents to thank them for taking such good care of Bruce. I was told the foster parents did not want to meet me.
I was approved for placement November 20th. At my next visit on December 9 I was informed that the foster parents wanted to meet me. It was at this time they asked me to call Baby Bruce ‘Casey.’ They told me they wanted to adopt Baby Bruce and were better suited than I was to adopt him.
I did not agree to call Baby Bruce ‘Casey.’ He was named after his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. It is a family name and holds significant value. Baby Bruce was named by his father and mother and I feel it is unfair his name can be changed like that. Even in meetings with the Department, the Department calls him ‘Casey’ when his name is Bruce.
I have asked several times for permission for Baby Bruce to travel to Idaho to meet family members in Idaho. I have always been denied. I have written letters to the social worker Malika and never received reply’s back. I have been frustrated by the delays in this case. I was told Bruce could be home for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving came and went and he was not home. I was told to be patient, he will be home. I was told he would be home for Christmas. He wasn’t home for Christmas. Malika and Celeste have repeatedly told me that DCS is on my side and to please be patient as we go through this process. He will be home in your arms soon. Family is first and foremost. Reunification with family is first choice. I hoped he would be home for his first birthday. Now he is not. He has missed out on many family events in Idaho where he could have met family members. I have done everything asked of me and yet the Foster Family has all the rights. I don’t understand why that is after all I’m his biological Aunt.
Bruce typically spends 1-2 nights with me. In that time, I have never seen little Bruce distressed. He is always happy. He sleeps and eats well. I have never experienced Bruce having nightmares as the foster parents claim or crying fits at bed time. I never leave lights on in the motel room. He falls asleep easily. The Foster Parents have never packed anything but beginner stage baby foods and I have never seen a sippy cup of any kind. They claimed in grievance hearing that I have caused him to regress. I find this to be untrue. They have included a list at each over night visit of what to feed when. They are very explicit to his schedule all day. I have adhered to the list each visit, never straying from his schedule and feeding exactly what they send. Should they forget to pack something on the list I have either called them and requested it or gone to the nearest store and purchased it.
Baby Bruce is a very easy child. He generally goes to bed between 7:30 and 8 p.m. He doesn’t wake up until 5:30-6am. Nap time is 8am-10am, lunch is at noon, nap 1pm-3pm and dinner at 6pm and Bath time 7pm. He always wakes up with a huge smile on his face and is eager to play. He also refers to me as momma and sometimes the women in the hallway that speak to him. He follows me around the motel room. We play peek a-boo and other baby games. I have had concerns about muscle tone in his legs, and his dislike of men which I have spoken to with the Social Workers. Other than that, I have never had concerns about Bruce when he is with me. I have two adult children I raised from birth. I did not see alarming behavior displayed by Baby Bruce he is a perfectly normal little boy who just needs to be reunited with his biological family as soon as possible. He doesn’t appear to have the attachment disorder spoken of by the foster parents. I have spoken to professionals here in Idaho in regards to what the foster parents have stated and they feel that for and infant of his age they are reaching a little far.
I thought this information would be helpful to the Judge making its decision. I am sure it is not an easy decision, but Baby Bruce deserves to be with his biological family. This could affect him for the rest of his life. He shouldn’t have to grow up apart from his family. Family means so much and he needs to be with family. Baby Bruce needs to know we love him, want him, and always will.
Thank you.
Mona K. Weeks
Mona K. Weeks
Loving, Caring and Devoted Great Aunt