Showing posts with label OHSU. Show all posts
Showing posts with label OHSU. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Couple denies abusing son as they battle state for custody
Couple denies abusing son as they battle state for custody
MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – The state accuses two McMinnville parents of abusing their child, but the couple insists they're innocent.
The state took custody of Linda and Daniel Dossey's baby boy, Joss, after the couple brought him in with a fever in November and say doctors found what appeared to be fractures in the child's leg and ribs. But the couple says their son has a medical condition called neonatal rickets.
The couple says they were shocked after a doctor told them Joss had a broken femur.
"We're like he's been kicking around fine," said Linda. "He seemed a little fussy but not in pain."
Linda said the doctors' response to the child's injuries was it "must have been shaking. That this was (a) grabbing motion that must have occurred that caused the shaking."
The Dosseys say social services interviewed them and took Joss the next day.
"We're grasping for anything," Linda said. "We know that our son has something medically wrong here. Figure it out."
Looking for an explanation, the couple found a specialist in Illinois who reviewed Joss' medical file and diagnosed him with neonatal rickets, a rare medical condition that can cause weakened bones.
The specialist testified on their behalf at a custody hearing last month but his expert opinion wasn't enough to get their son back.
"It hurts. That's all you can say is it just hurts like beyond anything," Daniel said.
The Dosseys say there is no proof they abused their son but they have to go through mental evaluations with the state next month. Until then, Joss remains in foster care.
"You're innocent until proven guilty. We know we didn’t do anything, this will be easy, and then know that it's not really that easy," Linda said.
DHS won't comment on the case. According to OHSU, where Joss was treated before going to foster care, it cannot comment on the specific case but it follows state law, which requires reporting any suspected child abuse.
The state took custody of Linda and Daniel Dossey's baby boy, Joss, after the couple brought him in with a fever in November and say doctors found what appeared to be fractures in the child's leg and ribs. But the couple says their son has a medical condition called neonatal rickets.
The couple says they were shocked after a doctor told them Joss had a broken femur.
"We're like he's been kicking around fine," said Linda. "He seemed a little fussy but not in pain."
Linda said the doctors' response to the child's injuries was it "must have been shaking. That this was (a) grabbing motion that must have occurred that caused the shaking."
The Dosseys say social services interviewed them and took Joss the next day.
"We're grasping for anything," Linda said. "We know that our son has something medically wrong here. Figure it out."
Looking for an explanation, the couple found a specialist in Illinois who reviewed Joss' medical file and diagnosed him with neonatal rickets, a rare medical condition that can cause weakened bones.
The specialist testified on their behalf at a custody hearing last month but his expert opinion wasn't enough to get their son back.
"It hurts. That's all you can say is it just hurts like beyond anything," Daniel said.
The Dosseys say there is no proof they abused their son but they have to go through mental evaluations with the state next month. Until then, Joss remains in foster care.
"You're innocent until proven guilty. We know we didn’t do anything, this will be easy, and then know that it's not really that easy," Linda said.
DHS won't comment on the case. According to OHSU, where Joss was treated before going to foster care, it cannot comment on the specific case but it follows state law, which requires reporting any suspected child abuse.
Monday, February 27, 2012
So they want to move our son...
The McMinnville CPS decided that it would be okay to move our almost 5 month old son to another foster home today. Some how they seem to think they can follow their own rules and avoid the law and just ignore using a family placement. As many of you know, our son should never have been taken from us in the first place because he has a medical issue and was not in any way abused or neglected.. But McMinnville CPS doesn't seem to care. In fact, they are even going against what Honorable Judge Tichenor stated in our disposition hearing where he didn't want our son to have to suffer from bonding issues. Yet, despite all of that, CPS thinks that putting our son with family isn't very important.
This is a section from the email our caseworker sent us:
"Thirdly, [Your son] had been referred and was seen by Dr. Madison, an endocrinologist at OHSU today. The doctor asked about his history, even though she has received all of the previous notes/labs and she gave him a thorough examination. Blood was drawn for a panel which will test various bone/blood levels, including his vitamin D and phosphate. The results will be sent to DHS and Dr. Whittaker, who referred him. Dr. Whittaker is not referring him for a third bone scan of his ribs. At the time of his testimony he had not seen the second scan. Now that he has, he is not referring for another scan.
This is a section from the email our caseworker sent us:
"Thirdly, [Your son] had been referred and was seen by Dr. Madison, an endocrinologist at OHSU today. The doctor asked about his history, even though she has received all of the previous notes/labs and she gave him a thorough examination. Blood was drawn for a panel which will test various bone/blood levels, including his vitamin D and phosphate. The results will be sent to DHS and Dr. Whittaker, who referred him. Dr. Whittaker is not referring him for a third bone scan of his ribs. At the time of his testimony he had not seen the second scan. Now that he has, he is not referring for another scan.
Finally, I contacted [Linda's cousin-in-law], who indicated that her and her husband [Linda's cousin] want to be the resource for [your son]. The assigned certifier has attempted to contact them two times over the past week and has received no phone calls back. Also, [family friend] has not contacted the certifier either. Please understand that I am working to get him into a relative placement. He will be moved to another foster home on Monday 2/27/12, in McMinnville, and will remain there until DHS can certify a relative and can place [your son] there."
The reason they are moving our son according to the CASA worker is: "All I know is that the current foster mom has a family emergency which forced her to ask DHS to remove [the baby] asap. Also, per an email to your client on Wednesday from DHS, family members who have offered to be placements for Joss have not followed thru. Linda should have been able to tell you that." Clearly she hasn't been paying attention to what has been going on, and clearly she isn't looking out for the best interest of our son.
From conversations with numerous family members it has been made very clear that there has not been an attempt to contact anyone. DHS/CPS isn't being honest, and we have our entire family group to testify to that. It is clearly wrong for CPS to pretend that they are trying to help our son or anyone in our family. The longer they have him in their custody, the more money they get. Our son has a medical condition, and they don't want to be proven wrong. We will continue to fight for what is right and true, and we will prevail. Just wait.
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