DCF Argues Unemployment Made Miami Woman Unfit Mother

[Judi Lynn]

DCF Argues Unemployment Made Miami Woman Unfit Mother
The Associated Press
Published: Jul 18, 2003


MIAMI (AP) - A foster mother has won permanent custody of the 4-year-old boy she took in as an infant, ending a two-year fight with state lawyers who argued she was an unfit parent only because she was poor and unemployed.

Geraldine Scott, of Opa-Locka, adopted James on Thursday after she was granted custody in a half-hour court hearing.

"I know how much you love James," Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman said. "And I know how hard you have fought for him. You have been his psychological mother. Today, I am making you his legal mother, and no one will ever take James away from you again."

The Department of Children & Families placed James in Scott's home when he was 2 months old after he was born exposed to cocaine. Scott is a family friend of James' parents, whose parental rights were terminated. (snip/...)

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/florida/MGAX3F3IAID.html

[Heddi]

1. this is a great ruling

I grew up poor---dirt poor---and my mom's friends were also poor---but they were all good parents, but there is a very real fear that if you are poor, there is a chance that your child could be taken from you solely because of your economic status.

Finally a REAL pro-family ruling from the courts!

There is no reason this woman's child should have been taken from her. the article said the kid was taken b/c she was poor but the reports NEVER mentioned anything about neglect. So she was taking care of her child as best she could, and they punished her for that.

Good for the court--we should write this judge letters!

[Mairead]

2. I just mailed the court

asking that my thanks and congrats be passed on to Chief Judge Lederman for her humane decision.

mailto://[e-mail] if you'd like to do it too.

[I AM SPARTACUS]

3. Jebbie's DCF, preeminent negligent guardian of small children...

...has the gall to...

When James was 2, child welfare officials removed him from Scott's care because she was poor. She was never accused of neglecting James.