They came and took him! What do I do now? *UPDATE PAGE 5!*

My parents and me have been raising my nephew since he was 2 weeks old. When he was about 3 or 4 months old his parents moved out and left him here. When they got a house they didn't try to get him. We had a date set at court for them to start paying child support. She went to the police yesterday and told them we had her baby and wouldn't give him to her. DHS told them to come get him (but they told us she couldn't have him until she got 2 years of anger management) The police said that if we didn't give him to her that my parents will go to jail for kidnapping. (They left him here!) She told them that we abused him (not true) I had just changed his diaper and was feeding him lunch when they came. The policeman said that I was sleeping and that I left him in his high chair by himself (I thought policemen were supposed to tell the truth!) I was not sleeping I was sitting at the table with him. Stephanie (the babies mother) also said that he had a poopy diaper (again not true) and a horrible rash on his groin (I would like to know what they did to him because that wasn't there when I had changed him) They also said we were "unfit" because our grass wasn't mowed and we had a lot of dogs. ( :mad: ) They also said that he was dirty. But that was because he was eating lunch and babies get dirty when they eat lunch. My mother has a seizure disorder and told Stephanie that this was killing her and Stephanie said "Well, maybe it will" She also told her that she "hopes she hurts for a long time" We've had him for almost a year and were very attached. This is ripping our hearts out and we're going to fight every step of the way. Stephanie said she wasn't going to let us see him again and she was going to put a restraining order on us (we didn't even do anything to her) She is a con artist and lies every other word and she has friends who have known her for all of two months who believe everything she says. We've tried to talk to them and tell them but they won't listen. They know about her history, about how she tried to kill her mother, but what they won't listen to is how she abused that baby while she stayed with us. My dad seen her shake him and I've seen her shake her fists at him. They won't believe us. We tried to get a lawyer and we need one for tomorrow morning but the only one we could get a hold of today wants half of the money now (which would be 1200 dollars) We don't have the money and no one is willing to help us. No one will loan us the money and we have nothing worth selling. I just don't know what to do. I miss him so much... I just want to see him again. I just want to hold him. :( :( :( :(

Wow, I don't know what else to say except that is all so terrible and I can't believe you even have to go through something like this. You sound like such a great person and I can't believe people can make up such nonsense, specially policemen! :mad: How awful!!!

Please keep us updated to what happens, I really hope you can get your little nephew back away from these terrible people.

i am so sorry! was there any type of formalized custody order for your parents to have him? if so i'd call your caseworker tonight, leaving a message about this, do you have witnesses to that the baby was happy and healthy with you, like close responsible neighbors, your minister, the peditrician who can speak to your high quality care of him, and to his good health with you, any individual that a court would find to be credible. don't talk to her or her friends, as tempting as it would be don't engage with them at all, no matter what. you all have to be above reproach and as pure as fresh snow. make sure the yard and home is immaculate, take photos to prove it. an experienced family law attorney is going to cost money, there is no way around that. stephanies history will catch up with her. i am so sorry that this has happened to him and you.

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Originally Posted by joycenalex

i am so sorry! was there any type of formalized custody order for your parents to have him? if so i'd call your caseworker tonight, leaving a message about this, do you have witnesses to that the baby was happy and healthy with you, like close responsible neighbors, your minister, the peditrician who can speak to your high quality care of him, and to his good health with you, any individual that a court would find to be credible. don't talk to her or her friends, as tempting as it would be don't engage with them at all, no matter what. you all have to be above reproach and as pure as fresh snow. make sure the yard and home is immaculate, take photos to prove it. an experienced family law attorney is going to cost money, there is no way around that. stephanies history will catch up with her. i am so sorry that this has happened to him and you.

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My dad had a paper saying he was the custodian parent. But it didn't matter because it wasn't stamped by a judge. We have one woman who will be on our side. And several caseworkers,nurses, and such have been out and seen him, seen that he was happy and healthy. We don't have the money right now for the lawyer and can't find one that doesn't want money right now. I don't know if I can live without Nathan...It's so hard.

Call the state bar association, they may be able to refer you to a lawyer who will work with you, and work out some sort of payment plan. You'll be in our prayers, and especially baby Nathan.

I would think the court appearance tomorrow could be adjourned until your family finds a lawyer.

Maybe Johanna or someone here knows about that.

HUGS!

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Originally Posted by Catty1

I would think the court appearance tomorrow could be adjourned until your family finds a lawyer.

Maybe Johanna or someone here knows about that.

HUGS!

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The court date wasn't supposed to be until the 16th. We're going tomorrow to show them all the evidence we've got against her and that everything (his Medicaid, ect.) is under my dad's name. We have his birth certificate, his social security car, everything. We're going to do everything and anything we can. We can't wait until we are able to find a lawyer. That's too long. He's not safe with her. We have her dad on our side. She has a warrant out for her arrest in another county (where her dad lives) but in this county they won't do anything because the other hasn't complained. Her dad knows the police there and he knows the DHS workers. They were called on her there by the hospital when he was a newborn because they didn't think he would be safe. He couldn't go home with them unless my parents are there.
Thank you all for your suggestions. We are doing everything we can. Just keep us in your prayers. God doesn't give us more than we can handle right? I'm just praying that He has a good plan worked out for Nathan.

I am glad her dad will be there! I guess he doesn't have time to get any paperwork.

Hopefully there will be a postponement til all the info can be gathered.

And there's a police officer or two who owe you a HUGE apology! :cool:

So far there has been nothing we can do. We have DHS going to investigate. The cop told us that he had orders from DHS to come get him but DHS told my dad that they didn't do that. He did this illegally. Stephanie is telling everyone that me and my dad came out yesterday and banged on their door and tried to break in. We didn't do that! She also said that I was wearing short shorts. I rarely even wear shorts. My brother told her that. Then she said maybe I was wearing a skirt. I don't wear skirts either. Then she said maybe dad was wearing the short shorts! None of this ever happened.
Dad said if we go through the courts to get him back we won't have him for at least a month. His birthday is Saturday and we won't even get to see him. What do we do with his presents? I miss him so much. I dream about him every night and he's all I can think about anymore.

The DHS can move mountains quickly, especially if their name has been used fraudulently!

Keep the faith, sweetie! I am glad this was reported to DHS - without a legal order from them, I HOPE Nathan will be back with you soon.

And that "mother" can go through the courts, like everyone else. Let HER wait for a month and get told NO.

HUGS HUGS HUGS!

This hurts so bad. It feels like somebody has ripped my heart out and all I can feel is pain. His stuff is everywhere, even after we have put a lot of it in his room and shut the door. Everything reminds me of him, from the portable clock he loved to play with to the doorknobs he liked to touch. :( But I can't let her win. I can't let her break me. I will fight. I will fight until he's 18 if I have to. My brother won't leave her even though she is killing my mother (mom has had several major seizures since Saturday) He says all he wants is his family (which is Stephanie) She's lied to him so much and he believes every word she says. He believes her over my dad who has never lied to him a day in his life.
I try to remember what dad said, that time, although it won't make it better, it will make it more bearable. But that may take a long, long time unless we get him back or are at least able to see and hold him. I cry for him 5 or 6 times a day. I don't know how I can live like this much longer.

I am so sorry you have to deal with this situation. It sounds terrible for you, your family, and poor little Nathan. I'll be thinking of you guys! If you have strong evidence, there is a very very high chance you'll get him back.

I hope that DSH confronts Stephanie while her husband is with her. Sometime, somehow, he will 'get it'. I am sure DSH has seen LOTS of spouses like him before.

His family is STEPHANIE? What about his son???

Prayers and hugs - this will work out. You'll see!

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Originally Posted by Catty1

Prayers and hugs - this will work out. You'll see!

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I hope so.

Time drags on and on these days...

* HUGS *

Just wanted to let you know that I've been thinking about you and your family and hoping the best. (I have been reading the thread, but just didn't know what to say or how to convey my emotions.)

Life can be so unfair.

Keep fighting and never give up!!!

Stephanie is getting arrested. It may not be today...it may not even be tomorrow, but it will happen. And she has no idea. We went to the sheriff's office today and discussed things with the county deputy and she has an outstanding warrant. The reason they hadn't found it before is because it was under her maiden name (which we supplied for them) The deputy went out to arrest her today but got called back because a prisoner escaped. We talked to a DHS worker and she said as soon as they arrest her we will be notified.
They told the DHS worker that the reason they came and got him is because we were trying to put him in a foster home. She asked if we wanted him and we said yes. But he will first go to his father. This is what worries us. My brother (Nathan's dad) believes everything these people that Stephanie has been living with says. We're worried they'll tell him to turn Nathan over to them so they can take care of him because he doesn't have a job. If Charles is unable to take care of Nathan, we want Nathan here. Which is what we hope will happen. Pray that Charles will let him live with us until he finds a stable job. Charles is unable to take care of a child by himself (he doesn't even know what to do!) I just hope he doesn't hand Nathan over to them.
Anyway Stephanie thinks she's as safe as can be. Little does she know...

Just pray for us that this will work out please.

I think blood relatives come before 'friends' where the DSH is concerned.

This is very hopeful news. I hope Charles really gets his eyes opened with this upcoming arrest.

HUGS

Prayers going out to all.

Sumbirdy, while you wait, how about you start a little journal that some day you can give to Nathan - for his 21st birthday or something. About how he is, what he's like, how much you miss him, etc. Funny stories about himself that he'll enjoy some day ...

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Originally Posted by Karen

Sumbirdy, while you wait, how about you start a little journal that some day you can give to Nathan - for his 21st birthday or something. About how he is, what he's like, how much you miss him, etc. Funny stories about himself that he'll enjoy some day ...

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That's a good idea. I already have a letter written to him for his 16th birthday (I wrote it before all this happened). It tells him how proud of him I am and how much I love him.

Catty1-they said that the parents can say who they want their child to stay with. Charles and Stephanie both have equal rights when it comes to Nathan. But they said they were going to place him with Charles first unless Charles doesn't want him or is unable to take care of him. We believe Charles is unable to take care of him because he can't keep a job and doesn't have a steady income. They said they would like Nathan to be somewhere he knows and somewhere that he has stayed for a while (he was with us all his life until this past Saturday) So I'm thinking he has a very good chance of being placed back with us. We are also getting a lawyer through legal aid and are going to pursue guardianship.

I would really love to see her face win the policeman show up at her door to arrest her. (although I know that's not going to happen)

P.S. I've shared so much with you all these past few days that I think you can all call me by my first name-Summer.

Oh yeah...Stephanie said that by having Nathan helps them get all these "benefits" such as more food stamps, taniff (sp?), ect... but what I don't think they understand is that this stuff is for Nathan and there won't be any left over for them if they use it correctly. So what I'm wondering is what will she let Nathan go without so that she can get more? She doesn't even want him. That's obvious.

I would think the DSH would make sure what kind of care Charles can provide for Nathan...I don't think they would just 'dump' him in there.

I'm glad you guys are seeking guardianship...hopefully, Charles will have to prove he can support and look after Nathan.

HUGS!

Nathan will be thrilled with that letter one day! :)

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Originally Posted by sumbirdy

Stephanie is getting arrested...

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Congratulations!!! :D

(Let's just hope that she doesn't lurk on here!)

Good luck on getting the guardianship instead of Charles.

*hugs*

You and Nathan are in my prayers, Summer. I do hope all ends well and Nathan gets back to you ASAP where he obviously belongs. He's such a beautiful child and I know this must be so heart-breaking for you :( I can't imagine the pain you are going threw.

The other county will not come pick her up until the 23rd. This county can only hold her for 72 hours. So the earliest will be the 20th. Which is next Friday. DHS said they will keep a close eye on her. She and Nathan are supposedly moving out of the other people's house in with Charles today. I just hope their not just telling us that and then signing him over to someone else. I hope Charles doesn't do anything stupid. Charles says he just wants have his own family and I think that he just wants to feel like he's somebody important and that he doesn't care who he hurts to get it. This is not only hurting me and my parents, in the long run it will be hurting Nathan because she is an abuser and all Charles will do is turn his back to it. That's what he's good at, turning his back to whatever he sees her do wrong and then denying he ever saw it, both to other people and to himself.

My other brother and his wife and my other nephew Eli are coming Saturday so I'm hoping that that will ease some of the pain (although I know it will be far from erasing it.) I just don't know how I can act like I'm happy when their here when I just feel like crying all the time.

Thank you all for listening and being here. You cannot imagine the help you all have been.

crow_noir-if she's lurking and has read this then she would have been long gone by now.
She's always claimed to love animals but gets really mad when they lick her (even if it's just on her hand. That doesn't make sense) She volunteered for a local animal rescue here and they said she couldn't work for them anymore because when they would have the low cost spay/neuter clinic she would put the animals back in dirty cages.

Yesterday, dad got a restraining order against him from Stephanie. (Me and mom didn't get one) On it she put that he threatened to beat her up and that he harassed her about her child and threatened to take him. (He didn't do any of these things) He is going to court Monday. He said he is going to request that she take a lie detecting test and that he has no problem in taking one. He also said that he has no problem with the restraining order (it did not say he had to stay away from Charles or Nathan) He has no problem with staying away from her, he doesn't want to be around her anyway. (I don't see who would.) Anyway, here's to hoping all goes well...

Today is Nathan's birthday. He is 1 year old and I miss him so much. We had so much planned for today.

Sweetie, whenever you guys get Nathan back, you can have the "birthday" party the next Saturday. He won't know the difference, and that'll give you something to look forward to!

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Originally Posted by Karen

Sweetie, whenever you guys get Nathan back, you can have the "birthday" party the next Saturday. He won't know the difference, and that'll give you something to look forward to!

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I've thought of that as well...he won't remember it anyway.

Having a baby here actually makes it harder. I keep comparing...awww, Nathan does that too or wow, Nathan really does that different. I love Eli just as much as I love Nathan but they are so different. I wish Nathan could have been here now to spend time with his cousin. That would've been fun to watch. I still miss him so much and it hurts. It's like fire in my heart. Who would put their baby in that situation where they are torn from everything they know in one instant. Why not do it slowly? We always knew he would go to his daddy eventually but we thought it would be slowly, not just BAM! and he's gone. They just ripped him away from the only home and the only people he knows. I'm just glad that he's always loved people. Maybe this will make it easier on him. I don't want him to be scared...

There are moments in every day when it seems to be getting harder, and moments when it seems to be getting better. Right now I'm sure it's getting harder. I just have to keep telling myself that Nathan will be home soon.

Dad went to his court hearing today...they dissmissed it. Stephanie was there late and so she filed another one...with a whole different story on it. With a whole different set of lies. Now dad is going to get her for slander because she said things about him that isn't true (he tried to hurt her and Nathan, he keeps harrassing her, he has other people call and harrass her, ect...) Me and mom didn't go in but dad told us Charles was holding Nathan and when Stephanie saw him she grabbed Nathan from Charles and those other people surrounded her like they were trying to protect her. What gets me the most is that Nathan stretched his arms out to dad but they wouldn't let him go to him and he looked so sad and confused and upset. He didn't look happy (and Nathan always looks happy, he's a happy child by nature) He's missing his family and Stephanie is so cruel that she doesn't care that she is ripping everything and everyone away from him and forcing him to live with people he doesn't know and emotionally harming him. I miss Nathan and I don't want him to be scared or hurt, I just want him to be happy. If he was happier with someone else, it would hurt, but I would still want to see him, we never denied her seeing him, she just never seemed to want to.

Any idea when Stephanie will be arrested? I hope that will straighten things out.

That and the slander suit..and your dad has proof from a court of law.

HUGS

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Originally Posted by Catty1

Any idea when Stephanie will be arrested?

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At the earliest, the 20th, and at the latest, the 23rd. It just seems so long to wait.

Oh, Poor Nathan. He does sound so happy, but I can't believe, even when he stretched his arms out to your Dad they wouldn't let him see him. Poor Baby. :( I'm still thinking of you, your family, and Nathan.

I just want this to be over and Nathan to be home. It gets harder every day I'm without him. You would think it would get easier but it doesn't. I bought him some Tigger stickers for when he comes home. I put his stickers on his ceiling and he loves it. Whenever he's in his room he stares up at his stickers and points at them. So I got him some new ones to look at when he comes home. You all do think there is a good chance (given all the information I have given you) that he will come home don't you?

Have been keeping up with this and praying that you get little Nathan home as soon as possible and that he remembers nothing of these strange events as he grow up. Hugs for you and your family, stay strong. Nathan needs you.

She only has 2-5 more days of freedom.
Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.

Today my brother, sister-in-law and baby Eli are leaving. I fell in love with Eli and will be sad to see him go. But I know he has great parents who love and take care of him. And that I will see him again.
Tomorrow I'm hoping we will get Nathan back. Pray that that is the way it works out.

My brother Bobby, sister-in-law Dana and baby Eli left at noon. It was really hard to see them go because they made things a little better. It was really hard for dad. When they had to leave, dad and Eli were taking a nap on dads bed. I woke dad up and he carried Eli out to his car seat and we all kissed him goodbye.
They drove from Deleware and had to go down to Texas to see a friend. They said that if we had Nathan when they were driving back up to Deleware then they would stop by to see him. I hope we have Nathan tomorrow. I miss him so much. I don't think I'll ever be able to let him go again. The caseworker said that if Charles is not with her and the baby when they pick her up then they will call us. She isn't going to go hunt for him. So I'm sort of hoping that Charles isn't there. The way Charles has been lately, saying that he isn't involved (how could he not be involved? His wife is deliberatly hurting and saying things about his parents, sister and brother.) anyway, I don't want Nathan with Charles either. I bonded with Nathan like he was my own (which I guess is natural when someone is taking care of a child for almost a year) so of course I want him back here. I want to be able to see him every day. To wake up to him laughing. To go to sleep to the rythm of him breathing. To fill my days with his baby chatter. I miss him unbearably.