Couple whose baby was taken by DCFS wins suit against city

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-baby-lawsuit_both_04jul04,0,1155854.story

By Steve Schmadeke | Chicago Tribune reporter

11:31 PM CDT, July 3, 2008

A federal jury in Chicago awarded $4.2 million Thursday to a West Side couple whose infant was taken into protective custody for more than 8 months after two Chicago detectives allegedly “lied” to state investigators, the couple’s attorney said.
The city denied that the two officers had acted improperly and argued that their actions played no role in the decision by the Department of Children and Family Services to place the 6-month-old girl in foster care, according to a Law Department spokeswoman. She said the city is disappointed with the verdict and reviewing its legal options.
On Nov. 15, 2005, the owner of an in-home day-care center called Jose L. Duran and his wife, Evelyn Torres, to report that their 6-month-old daughter was crying uncontrollably, according to the couple’s 2006 lawsuit. Hospital X-rays revealed their firstborn child had two broken arms, according to the complaint.
DCFS launched an investigation and contacted Chicago police. The suit states that the two detectives investigating the case incorrectly administered polygraph tests to the parents and then did not fully disclose the results to DCFS. Torres was given the exam in English although she requested Spanish and her attorneys argued that the police withheld other information, leading DCFS to place the child in protective custody.

Their child was returned in September 2006 after prosecutors dropped their petition to declare the girl a ward of the state. Jurors deliberated for about 12 hours before returning the verdict Thursday afternoon, the couple’s attorney said. The child, now 3, was awarded $2.5 million. Her parents were awarded $850,000 as were the family’s attorneys.
sschmadeke@tribune.com

July 14, 2008 - Posted by TN Momma06 | CPS, DHS, Internal Affairs, Department of Justice, Social Service, Joe Della-Rodolfa, Judge Timothy E Irwin, Referee Irene B Joseph, Lisa Smith, Bella Smith, Wyoming, ACLU, Civil Liberties, juveniles, Zorana Clark, Biancca Hubbard, child custody, child protective services, court reform, department of human services, equal protection, due process,discrimination, family law, harrassment, intimidation, slander, libel, health and human services, lawsuit, parental rights, perjury, false testimony, fraud upon the court, poor people, pro se, social services, social worker, stacey turpin, warrants | | 2 Comments

2 Comments »

I Was Happy As Heck Seeing This News.
Yay God There Was Justice.
I’m Proud Of Those Parents!!!

Comment by Abigail | October 12, 2008
how lod was he

Comment by nicie | November 3, 2008

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I am a single mother, who believes one person can make a difference in shaping the world with the ideas we believe in. I have learned you can’t wait for someone else to “do something” it must start with YOU, with ME. No matter how small, we all have something to contribute.

I have been wrangled into the Family Court system nightmare in Knoxville, TN. I am appalled at the lies and incompetence this agency has been allowed to operate under. I will now fight for reform and accountability in this corrupt system.

Too many families are damaged by incompetent social workers, greedy guardian ad litem’s and lazy Judges, Referee’s. Foster children are killed every day in the US. Because a CPS worker says it’s “in their best interest” to be taken from their home. There needs to be a complete over haul of Children’s Services and the Courts that hear these cases. Our children are the most important thing in the world. Their care and well being should be at the top of everyone’s “to do list”.
All elected officials, at every level, in every State must educate themselves on the problems families face once in “the system”. The financial hardships, unnecessary outdated “classes”, real determent kids must deal with in the aftermath. We must make uniform laws across States, share information and the exchange of ideas. The veil of “secrecy” must be ripped away. It is not for families anonymity, it keeps those who fail these kids protected.
We must make sweeping changes, start to focus on ways to support and strengthen families, removal should be last option not first. Parents must be involved at every level. When I hear about big lawsuits or new “committees” to study family issues, it seems every one forgets to include the family. There should be a we are ALL working together, not an Us vs Them attitude. When there is “real” abuse, trials should be fair and swift. Long terms served for convictions for crimes against kids. It is our job to make sure these issues are addressed and kept on the forefront EVERY DAY.
I do believe like any other job, there are good social workers, and guardian ad litem’s. I just haven’t ran into any of them yet. But for those who do care, you must speak up and call for change. Tell your Legislatures, media and officials what you need to do your job. I would gladly love to work with any one who has ideas, time, money, or just the common goal of creating a system to protect those who really need protection BUT assist and protect the rights of those who don’t. Too many false accusations and unfounded claims are allowed in Social Service reports and Juvenile Court records.

My daughter is now 5 years old and she has been given to her father, an abusive ex. No one has provided for her safety or care. They made their decisions based on lies, opinions and laziness. No FACTS, NO LAWS. I will not end up one of those parents on TV who lost their child due to some one elses greed and incompetence.

Bella, Your Mother is fighting for you and will never give up.

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ifeminists.net
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Fight CPS
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TN Family Court In Need of Reform

Change Accountability Reform Enforcement of Juvenile Courts and all who are associated with them.

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Tidbits on me

kidjacked.com

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Legally Kidnapped

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