Parenting Sites 411

I learned about this blog on Friday and all weekend long I was on the alert for updates on this poor mother’s situation.  This story stayed in my mind every day as I wondered, “What would I do in her shoes?”  The answer is; fall apart most likely.

The story is this: a wife, mother and law student had her three month old son taken away from her by the Department of Child and Family Services late last week because they suspect he has been the victim of abuse.  All because this mother was very concerned about a “popping noise” in her son’s chest (plus the fact that he seemed in agony all the time, and a diagnosis of acid reflux didn’t sit well with her) and insisted on a chest x-ray.  The x-ray revealed broken ribs.  Playing it safe, DCFS took the child and put him in a group home for the weekend where she and her husband have been allowed to visit him for one hour a day under supervised conditions.

I can’t give you the whole story as well as she can, so I highly suggest you visit her blog and read through the recent archives.   It’s simply heartbreaking to see a fellow parent go through this.  She is certain that there has been no abuse and her current theory is that the ribs were broken during what turned out to be a fairly traumatic delivery.  She has some good evidence to back this up, so I’ve got all fingers and toes crossed for her.  There’s a hearing tomorrow in which the judge will decide if the case needs to go to trial (it probably will) and where the child should be placed for the duration.  The family is hoping that her parents will be able to serve as foster parents.  This poor woman can’t bear the thought of her baby being in some strangers house for the next three months (an estimation) where she would have limited visitation rights (once a week).  So definitely, keep these people in your thoughts and prayers.  And drop by and leave them a word of encouragement if you’ve got a moment.

I expect I’ll be updating you all on this family’s progress as the days and weeks go by, so keep your eyes on the “You Need to Read” feature, where I’ll most likely be featuring recent posts.