my email is becky.burch at hotmail.com

I feel your pain and know that all of us mother’s who are going through the same injustice’s support you as well. We need to be there for one another and provide information and support to help assure this cannot happen for much longer to women and children coming behind us in the family court system. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do for you and Bella.
My support and Love,
Angeline Hassell
**
I need your help as well to help with getting the word out about my and my 6 year old daughter’s case which is coming up on october 19th, 2009 in Queens Court before judge Fernando M. Camacho.

Please help me to get the word out.
We as women have the power to help one another to make sure the abusers can no longer use the courtroom to futher taunt their victims. Let’s unite and get the word out! If we don’t speak up then we can’t disagree on the outcome. This could happen to any one of us, our mother’s, sister’s, aunt’s and nieces so LET’S SPEAK UP NOW! This mother and child need our help and race should not play a factor!
**
Please Post and feel free to cross post! ACTION ALERT! Need New York Court watchers (another court napped child) October 19, 2009.
You are receiving this because you have either posted on domestic violence, mother’s who have lost custody to their abusers, you spoke out about domestic violence or you were listed on the Feminist Law Professors Blog. This mother and child need our help!
If you are in the New York Area, please show your support for Angeline’s case by coming to her next family court hearing on October 19, 2009:

The hearing will be held on October 19, 2009 at 11:00 am.
Location: Courtroom E-123, Annex Building
Justice Fernando M. Camacho
125-01 Queens Boulevard
Kew Gardens, NY 11415
FACTS:

Greetings ,

Given the fact that as women our voices tend to go unheard we are reaching out to YOU because we have to end the COURT SANCTIONED KIDNAPPING that keeps on happening to us.

On March 3rd, 2009 six year old Aniysah was taken from her mother’s arms and thrown into a legal shuffle of unaccountability, instability and discrimination. There were no records verifying that she would be taken to a safe living environment or that she was enrolled in school. Questions about her health and well-being went unanswered. That was over 180 days ago. To date, Aniysah remains lost in the legal system. A system where children go missing everyday. A system where MOTHER”S OF ALL RACES like Aniysah’s are often left to fend for themselves in a brutal, dogged battle just to make sure their children are safe. Angeline left her abuser and the courts have punished her and her daughter by doing this to them. Please help us.

With respects to how this case ended up in family court system, Angeline left Anyisah’s father because he was physically abusive. The father then decided to file custody for Anyisah in order to get back at Angeline for leaving him. Angeline has legal documentation and police reports of his abuse and continual harassment. However, the story gets more complex when it enters the family court system.. Therefore, to further discuss the contours of Angeline’s case, it is better to have a phone conversation about it. As a side note, Angeline has documented everything that has happened and has retained all court transcripts, doctors’ records, and police reports.

Initially, with moving forward with the Where’s Anyisah’s Campaign we had decided not to talk about the father’s physical violence and focus solely on the family court system and its handling of Angeline’s case. However, after much thought we have decided to reintegrate this narrative of abuse into the campaign because on one level it tells how it became a family court issue and on a more fundamental level it signifies the many obstacles—both social and legal—women of all races endure to protect their children and themselves..

Additionally, you can find out more about this campaign to stand against injustices against our children in the legal system by visiting the Document the Silence website (http://documentthesilence.wordpress.com). There you will also find a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AybEcaiR_DI and additional facts and information about Anyisah’s case. Each day hundreds of people visit our website wanting to help and stand against violence against women of color and injustices of the court system. Here is a link to our petition http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/wheresaniysah/

On August 24, 2009, Angeline had another court date and the home assessment for the father was still incomplete but the Judge said it was acceptable anyway. Go to the website and get all the facts: (http://documentthesilence.wordpress.com

here is the link for my video on domestic violence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnIgbnCERB4

also if you can please send my link for the petition to your friends so they can see my story and sign the petition, they don’t have to use their full names they can use a first name last initial or first initial and last name. My story can happen to anyone, my daughter and I need everyone’s support. here is the link for the petition.

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/wheresaniysah/

Honorable Representative Eddie Yokley,

Thank you for speaking with me at the Cocke County Fair about Family Rights. I fear that you may have got the wrong impression of what the issue is I am concerned about. I am concerned more with family rights than I am father rights. I do agree the system is one sided but this is not the cause I am writing you about. What I am concerned about is Constitutional Rights that are currently being denied to families by Child Protective Services and Family Courts.
Usually Child Protective Services come to your house in pairs and with a Police Officer. If you open your door they consider this free entry to your home and push by you to enter your home. Families who do not understand their Constitutional rights are usually scared to not allow access to their home. Families wrongly believe they have to allow them in because of the presence of a Police Officer. Families also wrongly believe that if you cooperate with them things will go smoothly only to later find the friendly nature shown in the beginning of an investigation is quickly changed in front of a judge.
While in your home the service workers talk to you as the Police Officer looks into your trash and looks around for things to try to use against you in court. I believe that every element of this process is a clear violation of a families basic Civil Rights. Families currently do not completely understand the severity of the “visit” and their rights during an investigation that is conducted by Child Protective Services.
Recently, Honorable Senator Nancy Schaefer of the 50th district in Georgia took upon herself to tackle the tremendous issues of Child Protective Services and the family courts. Sadly, Senator Schaefer lost her seat and families lost an advocate for family rights. I believe she tackled too strongly and focused too much on sad stories of what happened to families and their children. This issue has been approached numerous times by concerned advocates for family’s rights. Families that have been thru family courts understand how the current system violates the sanctity of a family and makes a mockery of families. But, a family that has not gone thru the process does not readily understand the danger their family is in until it is too late.
Honorable Representative Eddie Yokley, what I would like to see now is by far not a new idea. I am simply asking for protection and preservation of Civil Rights of families under investigation of Child Protective Services. A basic law is needed that requires the reading of rights to a family by Child Protective Services. A signature waiving the family’s rights must be obtained before Child Protective Services can enter a home. This signature must not be obtained by coercion, threats or promises of any kind. Families need to understand their rights and Child Protective Services should not be allowed to operate in the shadowed areas of Constitutional law by use of deception or fear of loosing a child.
If Child Protective Services is doing things correctly and lawfully, informing families of their rights and obtaining a signature should not be an issue for this organization.

I propose that a family rights law simply inform families that they have protection under the Constitution from illegal searches and the right to deny entry into their home. Families need to be informed that if they allow Child Protective Services into their home anything can and will be used against them in court. Also, the family needs to be informed that if they do not allow entry into a home denial of access will not be used against them in court. Further, Families need to be informed they have the right to have an attorney present.
If there are circumstances that Child Protective Services and Police needs to enter a home a warrant can be issued if probable cause is proven. This will help protect children and require Child Protective Services to operate within Constitutional law.
I believe upholding the Constitution, educating the public of Constitutional rights and protection of American Families is the noblest causes an American Politian can embrace.

“Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy”
-Proverbs 31:8-9

Honorable Governor Phil Bredesen,

I am writing to ask you to protect family rights and push for Juvenile Court reform.
The most valuable asset to a family is a child. It is duly noted that there are exceptions to this rule and understand that Child Protective Services was based on a noble idea of protecting children from gross neglect and abuse.
Families are currently being abused by the very system, which was put into place to protect them. A checks and balance system to control Child Protective Services and Juvenile Court family abuse needs to be put in place to ensure that the rights of the families are not violated.
In Juvenile Courts parents stand to lose their children, which are the saddest and most devastating losses known to humankind. It can be rightfully argued that the loss of a child is a greater punishment than anything our criminal court can do to an accused individual.
Cases involving the family unit in Juvenile Court are currently denied rights such as the right to a jury trial, the right to a public trial, and the right to be confronted by their accusers. When a family appeals a decision of Juvenile Court the process is long and excruciating for the family and children. Families of Tennessee should be guaranteed a jury trial where allegations of abuse or neglect affect the sanctity of family units.
In the current system fear of loosing a child empowers Child Protective Services and the Juvenile court and allows them to deny civil and parental rights by duress. Lack of safeguards leaves Juvenile Courts and Child Protective Services intrusions open to gross injustices, the like of which few people can’t believe is happening in the great State of Tennessee.
Allegations by Child Protective Services are currently being held as truth in Juvenile Courts because the burden of proof is not as great as it is in criminal or civil courts. With something as precious to a family as a child how can it be that less proof is needed to take a child from a family or for interference with a family unit?
Families currently can not determine a defining line between Child Protective Services and the theoretical unbiased Juvenile Court Judge. A good example of this would be recently a Juvenile Court Judge was seen in the local paper with Child Protective Services workers at a party. The judge would be perceived by a family as an extension of Child Protective Services and rightfully so. Also Child Protective Services seem to have exclusive rights to a Juvenile Court Judge. What chance does a family possibly have against an accuser, judge and jury all wrapped up in one? This is against the peace and dignity of the families and the Courts of the State of Tennessee. The face of the Courts should be one that is unbiased to ensure confidence of an unbiased system.
Strict reform needs to be created to separate Child Protective Services and a Juvenile Court Judge.
Tennessee families are in fear of loosing their child so they go along with the Child Protective Services plan and the Juvenile Court. This is a natural instinct of a family who cannot afford to fight the current system where an unbiased jury is not allowed.
Families try to please the court and get thru the system as fast as possible. Often this is a mistake that cost a family their rights to defend themselves against false or exaggerated accusations. This fear families has of government entities should never happen in Tennessee. American families living in trepidation of the government is nothing less than tyranny.
Tennessee code 39-15-401 section 2 (B) states:
“On a plea of not guilty, the juvenile court judge shall have the power to proceed to hear the case on its merits, without the intervention of a jury, if the person requests a hearing in juvenile court and expressly waives, in writing, indictment, presentment, grand jury investigation and a jury trial.”
Currently under this code if a family decides to fight against false allegations by Child Protective Services they can face criminal charges at the family’s expense.
Parents should not face criminal charges for pleading not guilty in Juvenile Court. This is nothing more than negative coercion creating total rule over a family. Juvenile Court Judges should not have the power to proceed to hear a case over an adult on its merits without the intervention of a jury. Because the loss of a child is so great to a family, an unbiased jury and not a Juvenile Court Judge should decide these proceedings. To protect civil liberties adults should not be threatened by criminal charges in Juvenile Court if they choose to plea not guilty.
For these reasons a proceedings involving adults must be held in Family Civil Court where the Child Protective Services has to prove their case against an adult to a unbiased jury. Family Civil Court juries will ensure that total rule against a family in Juvenile Court will not happen. The threat of criminal charges against a family should no longer exist and the same rights afforded currently to Child Protective Services be afforded to a family in Family Civil Courts.
Restraining orders are a favorite tool of the Juvenile Court Judges and are easily issued. Restraining orders must be regulated and issued by Family Civil Courts and not Juvenile Court Judges. Very clear and specific rules for issuing and termination of these orders must be created and Juvenile Courts must comply. This will insure that falsely accused people will not continue to be punished by the court system. As always the burden of proof must be held on the accuser’s shoulders and a defendant must be held innocent until proven guilty.
Child Protective Services should also be required to retain records of proof of all mailings to parties involved with the case. It is well known that Child Protective Services don’t always mail notifications as I believe State Laws Requires. Since the loss to a family can be so great safe guards need to be in place to makes sure families are notified in advance of court hearings failure to do so should be punishable by law.
Regulation of the pay and compensation of Child Protective Services Employees and all State or Federal Employees who have any participation in the removal of Children or interference of a family unit is a must. Imagine putting $10 a head on the squirrels of this state it would be safe to say the squirrel population would be in jeopardy. No Government Agency or Agent should ever be compensated for the removal of a child or interference of a family unit. When families are investigated by Child Protective Services, the agency must be required to provide the families with competent legal representation thru the entire process at the expense of the State Agency. The money saved from any compensations currently provided to these agencies can go to legal service for the families of the State of Tennessee. This will begin to balance the current system.
Currently Miranda Rights are required to be read by the police to an arrested suspect. Since the sanctity of a family is at stake I propose Family Rights Law must be created to inform Families of their rights during a Child Protective Services investigation. The reading of Family Rights should be read by Child Protective Services before they enter a home. Intimidation of any kind by Child Protective Services to enter a home must be prohibited by law. Before Child Protective Services can enter a home a family must expressly waive, in writing their Constitutional right to not let Child Protective Services enter their home without a warrant. 4th and 14th Amendment rights violations abound in this agency.
Presence of a police officer with Child Protective Services worker applies to coercion
and must be explained by the Child Protective Services worker that the officer is there
for the Child Protective Services workers protection and no other reason.
Please help protect the children and families who cannot protect themselves. Together we need to start to repair the peace and dignity of a family unit in the great State of Tennessee. We can preserve Families basic civil rights and also protect children from gross neglect and abuse. We can give the right back to the families to defend allegations without fear. No agency or court should ever be allowed to use fear of loosing a child without the burden of proof weighing heavily on the accusers shoulders. Tennessee should lead the way in using Family Civil Courts as injustices abound across our great nation. Let’s put the families first in Tennessee giving families a chance against Child Protective Services in Family Civil Courts.