Hi my name is Nikki. My 14 year old daughter flew to Columbia, SC from Dallas, TX to visit her aunt and paternal family on April 16, 2014. She got into trouble in school for trading her iPhone for cold medication and cigarettes on May 21st. On Thursday, May 22, she was taken into state custody and immediately placed in foster care.
I received a text message on her aunt’s first court date stating, “Please call about Dominique Jackson.” I have placed my daughter in psychiatric care due to suicidal threats years ago but she has not had any issues since. This is my daughter, whom I have full custody, but I did not, and still have not, received a single phone call from DHS. They did not attempt to call a single family member pertaining to my daughters case either. Which to my understanding is breaking federal laws.
Her aunt says that all charges of negligence were dropped against her. Now they are placing her in a work camp! I have spoken to my daughter many times and she has told me that her case worker stated, “I don’t go chasing after grown folk. If you were my child, I would have already been up here raising hell, if your mom cares, she would have called the day you were taken into custody!”
I was not even aware until after the fact because I was not contacted. The DHS caseworker also told her aunt that she spoke with me and I said, “my daughter is not to live with any one but her aunt, and this is why she is in foster care.” I have NEVER spoken to DHS for fear they will twist my words and I will lose my temper, giving them an actual leg to stand on.
When I spoke with a man claiming to represent my daughter (court date) May 27th, he told me that I could “not come up there and bring her home. They will not release her to me.” I recorded the conversation. Now the caseworker said I could have taken her home that day! I can prove they have broken many federal laws.
They claimed they were worried about her mental state but if that is the case, why is she not in a psychiatric facility? Why is she in a foster home? I am trying to find a lawyer through legal aide but any direction you can point me in, I will be eternally grateful. This is my daughter and I want her home where she belongs right now. They are breaking the law and causing emotional stress on the entire family. Especially her little brother.
Thank you in advance for any help.
Sincerely,
Nikki
Get the book: Not My Children: A True Story of CPS and Government Funded Kidnappers