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I am a father and found myself in the position of having to file for custody due to several founded abuse charges involving both my children from their mother's new husband. 

I was told by DHS that if I did not file for custody the children would be sent to foster care. I went into court with the support of child services, CARES NW, the investigating police officer, a DA, and the investigating pyschologist, but found myself in a power struggly between these investigatory agencies and the court. The judge explained to me that she did not feel the level of harm done  raised to the level of child abue, and since I was aligned with the investigating agencies on this issue, I would not be the best person to facilitate reunion of the families. I lost custody and the kids went back under the control of the parent under which the abuse occured.

As an interesting aside, the stepfather has a biologic child that is brain damaged due to abuse. He is the suspected purpetrator. His is no longer allowed visitation. The mother has changed her name and is in hiding.

The common perception is that the legal system errors on the side of protecting the child. My experience is that personalities, egos, and juristictional power struggles between agencies trumpts the obligation to protect children.

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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