MIL trying to take my kids

[Krystalbubbles]

What is the name of your state? Oklahoma

Here's the situation, last October my mother in law was watching my children due to me being in the hospital. When I went to pick them up, she refused to let me leave with them and stated that she was going to call the police on me and have me arrested for trespassing. She then proceeded to draw her hand back like she was going to hit me and I grabbed her hair and told her to stop. My husband was there and saw the whole thing. When it was apparent that I wasn't going to get my kids out of her house that night without going to jail, I left. My husband then told her he was going to get the kids and she refused them to him stating that she was going to call the police on him. She then told him that HE could pick them up the next day.

When he went to pick them up, she picked up the phone and called the police stating that he was trespassing and she wanted him thrown in jail, the kids were not there. My husband, after learning that the kids were not there, left to find them. He talked to his dad later that night and was told that I could pick them up to take them to get Halloween costumes the next day with my grandmother, but I had to have them back by 6pm.

I picked them up the next day and she said that they couldn't go, they were sick. I stated that I could take them to the doctor and she replied that I couldn't because I wasn't authorized to get them healthcare. I went and packed them a diaperbag and noticed that she too was packing a bag for the kids, to take them out of state as she was going to Texas later that day for the weekend.

I took my kids that day, and never have taken them back. This woman has went to my counselor and told her that I was abusing my children. I was giving them medication to make them sleep so that I could sleep, not changing their diapers, not feeding them, etc. She turned me into CPS as well.

The last time I talked to her, I stated that she could come out to my grandmothers and see the kids and she responded that I was to bring them to her house. I told her no. Then she replied that I would 'pay' for it.

Everytime that someone from that family calls, we won't answer, we have gotten rude and cursing messages left on our answering maching, voicemails, and from people around town. She has went all over our small town telling everyone that I am going to kill my kids and she's going to take them before I do.

We are trying to keep them at bay without having to get the police involved or getting a restraining order, but I don't know how much more I can take. I am afraid to be alone in my own home because they are always coming by. I have never hurt my children in any way and I called CPS and informed them of the situation and told them that they can come by anytime to check it out.

What else is there that I can do? What rights do these people have over my children?

I know that this was long, and I got carried away, I just need some help here. I don't want to lose my kids, and we can't afford to move. If you can help me in any way, please do.

Thanks,
Stephanie

 

[hexeliebe]

First of all are you and your husband the biological parents of these children. One or the other of you under a court order for custody? Visitation?

Have you lost custody of the children previous to this or are you required to have any sort of court-ordered visitation?

answer these and then I'll come back.

 

[Krystalbubbles]

My husband and I are the biological parents of both children and we have never lost custody of them in any way. We don't have any court ordered judgements against us in any way.

 

[hexeliebe]

And what about investigations for child abuse, child protective services etc.

 

[Krystalbubbles]

The woman I spoke with at CPS stated that there was nothing in the complaint that alarmed them and that I had nothing to worry about. They haven't done an in home inspection or anything. She stated that I was assigned a caseworker and when the time comes, she would contact me to set it up. I stated that they are welcome in my home anytime and if they think that the children are being 'drugged' then by all means go ahead and run some tests to find out. I have even went so far as to document everytime that I have given the children medication, what it was for, what time and amount given. I have quite a paper trail if anything comes of it.

Thank you so much for trying to help me here. I've been in hiding with my kids for two months now to keep them from taking my kids (although they had the number and called it everyday telling me that I was lying and such and that my kids were sick and needed to be back at my MIL so that she could take care of them like they need to be taken care of) and I am just now returning home.

 

[hexeliebe]

O.K. then the first thing you do is go to wal-mart or radio shack and buy a small recorder with a suction cup microphone. You record EVERY conversation you have with relatives and the caseworker. (don't worry, it's perfectly legal in Oklahoma to record conversations you are a party to without consent.)

The next thing you do is file a harrassement report with the local police department. If the officer on duty will not take one, ask to speak with his supervisor or the officer in charge. If no one will take a report, march into the prosecuting attorney's office and file a report for harrassement.

The next step you should be doing is to file for a protective order against the Mother in Law.

Oh, and personally, I would tell hubby to grow some balls. He should be telling mommie dearest to back the F*** off in no uncertain terms.

And the final thing you need to do is speak with an attorney. Grandparents have no legal right to visitation of their biological grandchildren. So, the next time they want to see the kids, tell them no. Not until they grow up.

 

[djohnson]

I totally agree with hex but wanted to add that when they had the children and would not give them back to you. You should have had her call the police as she had no legal right to have the children , she was actually kidnapping/abducting them. If she took them to Texas (another state) then she would have even more problems.

 

[StickyFingers]

, last October my mother in law was watching my children due to me being in the hospital. When I went to pick them up, she refused to let me leave with them and stated that she was going to call the police on me and have me arrested for trespassing. She then proceeded to draw her hand back like she was going to hit me and I grabbed her hair and told her to stop. My husband was there and saw the whole thing. When it was apparent that I wasn't going to get my kids out of her house that night without going to jail, I left.

Next time, after you leave.....Go to the phone and call the police on her. They will get your kids back and put them in your custody! MIL has NO rights over them!

When he went to pick them up, she picked up the phone and called the police stating that he was trespassing and she wanted him thrown in jail, the kids were not there. My husband, after learning that the kids were not there, left to find them. He talked to his dad later that night and was told that I could pick them up to take them to get Halloween costumes the next day with my grandmother, but I had to have them back by 6pm.

You were very nice.....Don't do it again!.....YOU DO NOT HAVE TO NEGOTIATE WITH THEM!.....They should negotiate with YOU! I understand that you want the kids to be in contact with every member of the family, even if you don't aprove of some of the ways the family members have. In this case, You are being too nice.

I took my kids that day, and never have taken them back

Good deal!

The last time I talked to her, I stated that she could come out to my grandmothers and see the kids and she responded that I was to bring them to her house. I told her no. Then she replied that I would 'pay' for it.

Also a good deal......Don't worry about the "pay for it" bit.

Stephanie, Take a deep breath!......It is OK!....They have NO say or rights over the children. Take Hexeliebe''s advise and move on. Continue with y'all's life. Do what you have to do to protect your children!

Good luck!