The Department of Child Safety’s enforcement of confidentiality is peppered with exceptions — particularly when the public is paying attention.
— Read on www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2019/05/03/child-welfare-dcs-cases-private-does-protect-kids-or-state-officials/3491563002/

A stinging opinion from the Arizona Court of Appeals blames DCS for errors, omissions and lies that led to a father losing his parental rights.
— Read on www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-child-welfare/2019/05/29/arizona-dpartment-child-services-causes-father-donald-w-lose-rights-his-child-court-finds/1202069001/

This morning, Saturday, like every Saturday for the last month, I have my weekly visit with my 4 year old daughter. I don’t talk to her all week, unless her father lets her call me during his 12 hour, unsupervised visit. Yes, Leah’s father, my abuser.

I wake up at 5:30am and take a shower, pack our bag with swimsuits, my clothes, conditioner and a comb for Leah’s long hair, two pair of brand new name brand goggles ( we shared a pair prior to this week), the new dive darts for us to work with at the pool, our towels, Also, this week: a few shirts, 2 pair of Oshkosh sandals I bought this week, the worlds largest candy necklace (for when it’s time for her to leave. It softens our parting and I give her something she can enjoy) and our lunch.

Lunch box had yogurt, a tuna sandwich on whole wheat, a chicken salad sandwich on whole wheat, a large bag of cherries, Cheese crackers, apple juice with a pj masks character that screws on the top no sugar added and GMO free. I also packed 3 packages of 2 cookies. Leah May choose her favorite type of cookie for eating her lunch.

I am transported by a medical transportation company named Apache MedTrans. The driver arrives at my house by 7:00am. I have had the same driver for several weeks now and I like him. He is a middle eastern immigrant and he is celebrating Ramadan and is fasting. I can’t even imagine how he views what I am going through. I asked him if the government of his country of birth, removed children from their mothers for the welfare of the children. He said “no” while shaking his head in disagreement.

We depart my house and stop for coffee at the circle k on the way to the freeway so I can get a cup of coffee.

I arrive at the Prescott YMCA @ 8:30am. Yes, an hour and a half each way to see my little girl.

There is a company called “LifeTrans” that is contracted by DCS to transport Leah and Supervise my entire visit. She follows to the locker room and sits in a bench during my visit. I would assume the job is emotionally taxing and employment is not a long term option. I have had as many as 20 different parent aids throughout this process. I don’t even remember their names until the 3rd visit or more.

I have only had one male parent aid. My mother didn’t approve of me being alone with my daughter in the locker room because I instructed Leah to speak with her therapist at West Yavapai Guidance Clinic about my mother abusive yelling. She said everyone yells at her “even Ricky” (My youngest sibling). I can’t protect her and my reports are completely ignore or disregarded. She should have been seeing a therapist since she was taken, yet, she had had 5 sessions in over a year. She was 3 when taken and has had no therapy for the trauma of separation each week and initially. Nobody knows what she is feeling nor what is going on in my parents home. My mother talks to everyone and would never say anything but that Leah is doing very well, she is eating and sleeping… she would never mention forcing Leah to eat until she pukes, spanking, yelling, how much time Leah spends alone (my parents are in their late 60’s) and my siblings are all grown and gone.