The "Best" Decision!

I spent the morning with the Citizen's Review Panel listening to four cases dealing with child neglect and abuse and making recommendations regarding the future outcome of these young lives. They ranged from one young man, age 15, who presently is in a group home, but was told that he would not be returning to his mother, but hopefully would be living out of state with a relative. Those who brought the case were very positive about this young man and about his future. He had two brothers, one his identical twin who he was very concerned about but mature enough to know that they would never again be able to live together because of anger issues in his twin. He wept at the recommendation, but showed strength of character and maturity. The second case concerned three young children, ages 13 to 9, and the recommendation was that suitable relative placement be sought, again the parent was unfit to raise the children. The third case was a continuation of the second, however a different father who is currently serving time in jail. He was allowed a few minutes with his children, but it was difficult for them to see their father in chains and handcuffs. Yet there is hope that if the father continues on the path that he has set he may be able to have his children returned to his home in a year. The final case was a young girl, age 5, who was born to a woman to young to be a mother, and the recommendation was simply that she will be placed in the home of a relative. These are always difficult decisions but the panel is responsible for the "best" recommendation in the interest of the child, and I think today we fulfilled our responsibilities. It is always hard to believe that there are parents within our community who lack the emotional and economic stability to care for their children.