Complaint Review: Texas Child Protection Services - Copperas Cove Texas

My x-husband and I have done everything we can/could do to keep him our son from getting into the criminal system, so far as sending him to the Military Marine Academy in Harligen, Texas.($2,500.00 for 30 day). My x-husband sent our son (16 yrs. old, 6" & 190lbs)back to me from Florida because he had been into so much trouble with the Florida juvie system; knifes @ school, stealing, smoking, etc.

Now in Texas at mine house, he became, even more violent toward me and his sister. He pulled a knife on me, threatened to kill me for grounding him, smoking on school grounds, and the list goes on. At one time after 4 days of reporting him missing, I was told several times by the police dept. and county sheriff's office that I needed to take more charge of him, and I needed more parenting classes.

The straw that broke the camels back was when my son set himself of fire, and four days later tried to check himself into the hospital, that I learned of the 3rd degree burns on his legs up to his knees, that I was able to finally get him admitted to a mental health facitily. The local therapist recommended my son be transferred to a more strict/behavioral facility, in which I agreed. I travelled weekly, sometime twice weekly to see son and new therapist for 4 months. He was give the meds of Geodon, Trilipal, and Zoloft(max dosage). After 4 months he was discharged back to my home.

On the third day of being home, my son decided to become involved in an altercation with my x-boyfriend, and then he called the police only to beg to go back to any behavioral facitly as long as he didn't have to live in my house by my rules.

After seven days in the facility, the psychiatric doctor, tells me they are discharging my son, they have double the medications again, and that he shouldn't be a problem. Well needless to say, after 5 months now, I am unable to accept my own son back into my home and refuse to pick him up from the facility. I question the facility of how they could double the med dosage and say he is cured.

After a day of refusing to pickup my son, the facility called the local Child Protection Services stating that I had abandoned by child. CPS contacted me and I did cooperate by going to their office and explaining the last 5 months of hell with my son, the facilities, the police and county sheriff's departments.

I was served papers to appear in court in which I did along with my attorney. The papers served were incorrect, which was noted in court, however, CPS failed to make the corrections. While in court, it was also noted that I had to begin paying child support for my son, in which CPS had put back into a behavorial facility, in which my x-husband military retirement (tri-care prime insurance pays). I personally had to go to the court to get copies of the temporary order because CPS refused to give me and my attorney a copy.

I had been asked to cooperatre by giving them my sons clothing, inwhich I did, however, he called and was cussing and threatening that I didn't do as they asked, and tried to explain to my son that I had them inventory the clothes and all the while the facility was monitoring the phone call. He can/could call me, cuss, rant and rave, and I am suppose to not hang up the phone on him.

I have attend two of the CPS's "Family Planning Meeting", however, each time, I have a different "social worker", investigator, etc.. I have tried numerous times to explain to CPS that this is not your normal "child" abuse case, I am the abused parent by a violent teen; my son is not a "child", he is 16 and 6 feet tall and weighs about 190 lbs. During these "Family Planning Meetings" I have asked for copies of these meeting, and have been told to "Shut Up, it is their meeting, they will ask the questions, and I can have copies after the meeting in over". Needless to say, they (CPS) in turns states they are calling the police and to leave the CPS building, because I am being disruptive of their "Family Planning Meeting". So much for "Family" meetings with CPS.

On my second court hearing, my x-husband came from Florida to support me(us) in my(our) CPS case. The court allowed my x-husband to see our son, however, I was told that I could not, because I am the custodial parent who abandoned him.

Between now and May 27, 2004, I was order to schedule an appointment for psychology evaluation. I received the CPS letter on a Thursday, the day before the court hearing on February 27, 2004. I called the doctors office to schedule the appointment, on the following Tuesday, (thinking Mondays are always busy days for receptionist) and the reception didn't even know about CPS sending me the letter to make this appointment. How in the world could CPS send out a letter without any coordination with the psychologist? I explained that I was court order and I would continue to call each day until CPS had notified their office for the evaluation. My oh My, the following day, the doctors office called and stated that CPS had just sent the request over to them, and now they could schedule me an appointment.

On March 15, 2004 I will go to my appointment for my evaluation and again appear in Court May 27, 2004, only to be told that my "child", though he is not a "child", that I must continue the child support, and for them to determine whether they are going to terminate my parental rights.

If anyone has dealt with any CPS in regards to Violent Teens Against Parent(s), please reply. I know that I can not be the only parent in Texas in this situation.

Tamara

Copperas Cove, Texas
U.S.A.

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Child Protective Services