What is the name of your state? FL
My son had weekend visitation with his daughter as ordered by the court.
On Saturday night he took her to the local skating rink and while they were there an investigator from Child Protective Services and two deputies showed up and told him they were there to take the child and turn her over to the maternal grandparents because the child's mother had just had a baby by another man and both the baby and the mother tested positive for cocaine and other drugs. (The material grandparents were on the spot to receive the child - prearranged maybe????)
My son was told to take a drug test right there at the rink since they had been told he was using drugs too. He refused, stating he needed some information and wanted to consult with an attorney to ascertain the best course of action. The CPS rep gave him her card and wrote on the back for him to be present at the judge's office at 9 a.m. on Sunday. We arrived at 8:35 a.m. and when no one else showed up, he called the CPS rep on her cell phone and she told him to go to the other side of the courthouse. We arrived there at 8:55 and were met by the CPS rep and a deputy who told us the hearing was over and there was nothing that could be done about it. There would probably he another hearing in about 2 weeks. He was told again to submit to a drug test right there and he said that in light of what just happened, he really did want to consult an attorney. I need to add that my son has never been in any trouble for drugs.
After thinking it over, 3 or 4 hours later, he called the CPS rep and said he would go immediately and take the test if he meant he could see his daughter. She told him it did not matter if he took the test and passed or did not take the test at all because he had already refused to take it.
The mother had been ordered twice in the last few months to take the test and refused - yet they did nothing to remove the child from her until she delivered a baby that tested positive.
Now he cannot see or talk to his child because the maternal grandparents have to be present and they have, so far, not allowed any contact.
Any suggestions as to the best course of action here. He has to apply for a court appointed attorney as he does not have the funds to hire one and he doesn't know how long it will take to be appointed an attorney or what the general timeline is for his to be able to see or talk with his child.
Any help would be appreciated.
My son had weekend visitation with his daughter as ordered by the court.
On Saturday night he took her to the local skating rink and while they were there an investigator from Child Protective Services and two deputies showed up and told him they were there to take the child and turn her over to the maternal grandparents because the child's mother had just had a baby by another man and both the baby and the mother tested positive for cocaine and other drugs. (The material grandparents were on the spot to receive the child - prearranged maybe????)
My son was told to take a drug test right there at the rink since they had been told he was using drugs too. He refused, stating he needed some information and wanted to consult with an attorney to ascertain the best course of action. The CPS rep gave him her card and wrote on the back for him to be present at the judge's office at 9 a.m. on Sunday. We arrived at 8:35 a.m. and when no one else showed up, he called the CPS rep on her cell phone and she told him to go to the other side of the courthouse. We arrived there at 8:55 and were met by the CPS rep and a deputy who told us the hearing was over and there was nothing that could be done about it. There would probably he another hearing in about 2 weeks. He was told again to submit to a drug test right there and he said that in light of what just happened, he really did want to consult an attorney. I need to add that my son has never been in any trouble for drugs.
After thinking it over, 3 or 4 hours later, he called the CPS rep and said he would go immediately and take the test if he meant he could see his daughter. She told him it did not matter if he took the test and passed or did not take the test at all because he had already refused to take it.
The mother had been ordered twice in the last few months to take the test and refused - yet they did nothing to remove the child from her until she delivered a baby that tested positive.
Now he cannot see or talk to his child because the maternal grandparents have to be present and they have, so far, not allowed any contact.
Any suggestions as to the best course of action here. He has to apply for a court appointed attorney as he does not have the funds to hire one and he doesn't know how long it will take to be appointed an attorney or what the general timeline is for his to be able to see or talk with his child.
Any help would be appreciated.
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