A couple of weeks ago I was on television discussing the Baby Max case that grabbed media attention in Missouri.

There was supposed to be another hearing the next day, but until this morning, no one had heard a word about the outcome of that hearing. This morning I learned that Baby Max would be returned to the Stocklaufers. Apparently, one of the issues in this case involved the legalities of the transfer of the child, including the filing of an interstate compact, etc. While I wholeheartedly agree that there should be laws and rules governing the movement of children, I really cringe at the idea that this baby moved around because of technical issues. Especially given that this was a relative placement …

As a result of my interview that morning, I received a phone call from another family in Missouri who is getting shafted by the system. I promised you more of a scoop on Missouri child welfare policies, so here we go ...

As Baby Max is being returned, another baby is being moved. In this case, an infant girl with hearing loss has been in the care of a foster mom for about 5 months. The child had several placements already before landing in this foster mom’s arms at the age of 4 months. This foster mom discovered the hearing loss. Both sides of the child’s biological family favor leaving the child with this foster mom. This foster mom has two brothers (not related to the little girl) that she is also parenting, and she will be allowed to adopt them. However, she has been deemed not suitable for this baby girl, and as of this morning, this child is being shipped to Vermont! Bio parent rights have not been terminated, the interstate compact is not finalized, bio family supports the current placement, and another mom in the running for the placement of this child withdrew and now supports the child’s current placement with the foster mom … yet all this doesn’t matter as this baby is moved yet again. Supposedly, the child can be moved for a visit as long as it doesn't last over a month ... so for 29 days this baby adjusts to new people, and then where does she go?

The family in Vermont is Caucasian; the child is African-American or biracial, I can’t remember which, and foster mom is African-American. The Vermont family has 6 kids, with 4 of them preschool aged or younger. They might be a lovely couple, but why move this child to Vermont? Why move this baby at all? If this foster mom was suitable to be the child’s foster mom, and if she is suitable enough to adopt the boys, why can’t she keep this girl? This is so messed up! Apparently, the Guardian ad Litem’s office is a mess, with no checks and balances on the system. It is my understanding that the GAL had much to do with this outcome. I’ll keep you informed. This foster mom is a woman on a mission -- she intends to keep fighting!

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