Our Baby Is Taken Away.

On Tuesday, May 20th, the judge said she didn't believe that we were innocent and, in spite of two doctors stating that the injuries could not have been inflicted by force (as there were no signs of trauma, bruising, bone displacement, etc. and in view of the poor bone development depicted in the x-rays) Cheyenne has been taken from Grandma Jo (Laurie's Grandmother) and placed back with the presumptive adoptive (foster) family.

(Note: because Grandma Jo said that the believes that we're innocent of any wrongdoing, CPS has "concluded" that she is not capable of protecting Cheyenne and would not act in "her best interests.")

CPS continues on its course of adopting our Cheyenne out to total strangers. In closing arguments, the attorney appointed for Cheyenne said that we came from a family of liars that couldn't be trusted to take care of her. This, after putting only two of our relatives on the stand. They did their best to answer detailed questions about dates and events. Although they did not know what the line of questioning would be, they did the best they could. They had no preparation and made some mistakes in dates as they didn't have their datebooks or computers with them. Apparently those errors label us all as a "family of liars."

As an aside; n September 14, 2007 the judge ordered CPS to place our daughter with a family member. It took until early January for them to comply with the judges order. Come to find out that the placement with Grandma Jo was not a placement at all, but an "extend visit." All the judge would say was that she was "disappointed" with them. If we had circumvented the judges order, I think she would have been more than a little disappointed with us.

The judge did explicitly order CPS to try to place Cheyenne with extended family. (We'll see if they follow this directive better than the last one.) At this time my father, mother and older brother are all beginning the adoption process. We are praying that one of them will prove acceptable to CPS.

It's hard not to be skeptical and jaded as CPS has twisted so much of what we've said; left out important evidence for our defense and, in some cases, outright lied. However in the state of California, it is not permitted to sue CPS workers, even if they perjure themselves. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

We know adoption proceedings will place a heavy financial burden on our family members trying to adopt Cheyenne, but we have to try everything possible. We've already spent over $30,000 in legal fees, and owe several thousand more, but to no avail. Now we're starting a new battle.

Each family member is supposed to come to California EACH WEEK for a visit, so show that they are serious. My mother lives in Arizona, my father is in Colorado and my older brother lives in Texas. The cost of these trips is in addition to legal and adoption fees.

Please continue to pray for us and for our family, and especially for Cheyenne. While we think that the foster/adoptive parents believe they are doing the right thing, we desperately want to keep our daughter in our family. We love her and would NEVER intentionally hurt her.

If you can help us financially, we will use all money received to facilitate Cheyenne's adoption by family. Just click on the PayPal link on the top of the page.

Thank you again for your prayers and support. The battle isn't over yet.