At a loss for words..

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I am honestly at a loss for words, which does not occur often. The system that is supposed to protect my wee little patient has failed her. She has been returned to her birth mother who has the mental capacity of a 10 year old, despite the fact she is 20.

A older family member has been providing outstanding care for this child and yet the judge has decided that it is the birth mother's right to have her child. I'm heartbroken because many of us have seen what happens. Either this poor baby will starve, drown (because parent doesn't watch her closely when giving a bath), or the loser "baby daddy" who already has convictions related to child abuse, will kill this child when she upsets him for crying too much.

It's awful and I'm sick to my stomach about it. I'm not one to get too emotionally involved in my patient's lives, but I fought so hard for this kid for nothing. I'm already working with out MD on ways to get this decision reversed, and we are both afraid that court will be in our future regarding this since common sense has obviously escaped this judge. I just hope the child can survive until that point.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Use the media anonymously to get this story out...they can be very powerful.I can understand your outrage as I believe the courts he gone too far on protecting the rights of parents and then say, "Oops", when the child turns up dead!

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Use the media anonymously to get this story out...they can be very powerful.I can understand your outrage as I believe the courts he gone too far on protecting the rights of parents and then say, "Oops", when the child turns up dead!

As much as I would love to get another support system involved, it would do more harm than good. The family member who I want to regain custody would be the prime suspect and it would appear they are being a trouble maker. HIPAA is at a huge risk when media gets involved. Plus what if the media turned it around and made it seem as if the mother was being bullied by the system. It is best to keep the fight up through the proper channels, even if they don't always do their part. Being a Nurse is tough. You can be caught in the middle of problems you cannot always fix immediately, even if you know how dangerous the situation is..

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Yes I understand that snd that is why I said anonymously realizing that may be difficult and not realizing there is more to the story!

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Yes I understand that snd that is why I said anonymously realizing that may be difficult and not realizing there is more to the story!

Sadly there is always a never ending trail of dysfunction when you have cases like this. As in this case the dysfunction carries on for generations, and obviously is carrying into the newest generation that is starting.

[CryssyD]

That's sad--and kinda scary! Does Mom get any home health, or other supervision? I mean, I know the idea these days is to keep kids with their families whenever possible, but sometimes that just shouldn't happen--and it sounds like this is one of those times. I'm sorry--I know how frustrating it is to see kids going into questionable situations when you can't do anything about it.

[annabanana2]

That's sad--and kinda scary! Does Mom get any home health, or other supervision? I mean, I know the idea these days is to keep kids with their families whenever possible, but sometimes that just shouldn't happen--and it sounds like this is one of those times. I'm sorry--I know how frustrating it is to see kids going into questionable situations when you can't do anything about it.

That was my question. What supports does Mom have? What more can be put in place? What can be done to keep kiddo safe while the courts figure things out (because lord knows that's not a quick process)? In my area they'd be referred to public health and the ministry responsible for children and families would be involved in putting supports in place as well.