I am an advocate for a non-profit. In October I took on an advocacy that involved CPS. I cannot believe the way the sytem has torn apart this mother and her 4 children and continuasly place barriers around this mom who is low-income. Where is the Justice for these families? This women was involved in a DV relationship in Iowa she believed that her children had been molested and reported it to CPS they investigated, came back with unfounded, one of the children claimed it was the uncle so she went back to CPS to tell them, they investigated, nothing unfounded. Then another child finally came forth and said it was their father. She reported him and took the children to a rape center. She left him, CPS came back with unfounded she went back with the guy believing CPS. They investigated again and founded it but didnt prosecute the man so mom took the children from Iowa and came to Montana to keep her children safe from abuser because the state would not step in. Iowa contacted MT and said she fled Iowa because she knew the children were going to be removed. Mom said this is not true, no court documents to back this report, MT began to investigate. Nothing on her file shows what the outcome of this was. But then reports began to come in from some neighbors and an ex boyfriend who stalked her and she placed a restraining order on him. Her oldest daughter real father filed for custody in Iowa (non-abuser) and won. Not long after the state of Iowa removed her from his care for abuse and neglect. Mom was not an option to place her because MT refused the innerstate compact, they sent a couple of letters to Iowa that pointed out these reports against her although they didnt point out that they were unsubstantiated. Anyway the CPS worker had her sign a voluntary agreement based on stuff from Iowa, not facts in MT, and told her it was the only way they could help her get her daughter back from Iowa. MT has continued to be involved with her, one of Iowa's stipulations is that mom stay out of DV relationships continue her children in mh services and stay drug and alcohol free and submit random UA's. Mom has done everything she has been told. Has had over 11 clean UA's since the end of 2005. Well mom met a guy they dated for a year and she got pregnant with her 4th child, 2 days before giving birth to the baby dad abused her was arrested for PFMA and charged. A day later SW is questioning mom then removes new born and places with the abuser, Then 2 weeks later takes daughter and places with his family, and didnt remove 3rd child because there were no available beds in a residential treatment center. She was encouraged by her court appointed attorney to just do what they want and you'll get your kids back, Here it is 5 mos already, mom still continues to comply, the worker had the PFMA dropped right before they removed her baby, mom placed a restraining order on him, and the dept continues to help him, now he has a parenting plan they forced her into mediation and other meetings with this man. The dept has actually used the DV against her, in 2 mos her rights to her daughter in Iowa will be terminated because MT has been falsifying information to that Dept. The Iowa Dept, has actually admitted this and her court appntd attorney proved this, but continues to defend the dept not her. She really needs an attorney this mom is low-income and the dept has placed more barriers on her than she started off with. I am begging and pleading and pointing out policy but no one hears this, They just now got her a treatment plan and it is outragous, the attorney and her therapist and CD therapist say they dont like me because I bring controversey, when I have only attended meetings and helped her to listen closely, write things down, WOW this is an outrage. Where is there a blessing in all this, Wi8ll she lose her children? should she give up now? I need answers she needs an attorney that can help her and do it for no to little cost. Please please give me an answer that helps

I can understand that this is a frustrating situation for all those involved. You can locate an attorney through the attorney locator on Lawinfo's home page at http://www.lawinfo.com/. Some do offer free consultations and may be willing to work out a payment plan.

Try Montana Legal Services, or Montana Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence. There is very little help available in MT. I left there because of it. Try the local DV unit, too. The PD can direct you to them. MTLSA has a domestic violence unit out of Helena. Getting the media involved might help depending on where you are. Just a few thoughts, not legal advice in any way. You have to get creative in MT to make it work for you.