Santa Cruz County Human Services Department Child Protective Services, CPS, Welfare, Social Worker, Childrens Welfare Here to Protect? More like looking to NEGLECT! Alright America.......The Show needs to go on. Human Trafficking at it's finest Santa Cruz , California

Santa Cruz County Social Services Department has gone above and beyond to steal our two children and give them to the "Maternal Grandparents" illegally. I mean illegally. What makes me and my husband different than any other "Dead Beat" "Drug Addicted" parents neglecting their Children? Well keep reading and you'll know.
My biological son was 1 1/2 years old. My husbands son, and my-step son, he was 10 years old. In 2007 our 10 year old was placed in protective custody following an arrest of both my husband and I for outstanding warrants. Thanks to a loving and caring Mother/In-Law who made sure that the police department would not allow two "criminals" to remain on the street. My Step-Father, by the way, is a fire captain, Trustee to the State of CA, and Ex-Swat team member. But don't be alarmed! I wasn't.....
Anyways My husband reunified with him with in three months. But our son was never the same. In February 2010, he told us about abuse he sustained while in their placement. My stupid-est-most-Brilliant-est idea ever was to talk to his councelor whom was mandated to report. CPS came over told us the other county found the claim to be unfounded and their was nothing we could do. Sorry and sucks to be you. Again, the worker, Linda Busch, did not feel at ease about my questioning their lack of supervision, especially the lack of action when my husband and I complained about him sleeping in the garage with a 15 year old who slammed his head through walls. Come to find out, their was something we could do. Salinas Detective called us almost a month later questioning us why we had not contacted him as social Services advised we would. Anyways, we set up a physical forensic interview and the decision was, the once 15 year old was detained and charged with the allegations presented.
Now. That Mother is Law and Step Father fell in love with our youngest son. Everyone does. They fled a Guardianship petition after I told them they could not have my son. They lied and lied and lied. Probate denied their request. But the allegations in the Guardianship brought CPS banging on our door. I was rude and would not let Social Worker Veronica Trujillo inside our home nor would I undress a perfectly healthy child outside for her to see his bottom. Trujillo threw all sorts of accusations at me and instruct if I did not allow her inside, she would have the kids removed with Law Enforcement individuals. I showed her the "main living" areas but not our bedrooms. Why? because I believe in respect and privacy. I told her I would be more than pleased to show her when she called to schedule a day and time that would allow everyone to be their. She left. She went to our older son's school. She questioned him with things like, "Why was your bedroom so dirty? I just saw your Mom and she showed me her bedroom and yours. They were filthy!" She then ame back with a Deputy Sheriff. I told him the same things I told the social worker. No they could not come in, I showed her once and that's enough. I did open the door for him to see. They left after he denied Social Worker Trujillo's request to Detain the boys.
Later, I found out, my wonderful "parents" assisted in the second visit. They encouraged the belief that my husband and I had "meth labs" in the bedrooms.... Thats the reason we would not allow them in. This was reported to the Narcotic Task Force by Trujillo, who was Again asking the Sheriff's Department to take the boys'. Again they said no.
5 days later, Linda Busch shows up. She is constantly repeating "I knew this was going to get bad." I let her in. I did not let her in the bedrooms. At this point, I was on the verge of hysteria. The thought of losing the most beloved things in my life was just to much. She demanded my husband and I to give drug tests. I refused. Why? because my husband and I are not on probation and have not been in any trouble with law enforcement since the time in 2007. The date now was May 17, 2010. Other than this single report, they had no reason to assume drug use.
Linda Busch came back 2 days later. I was at Doctor's on Duty with both the boys. My husband was at home. She arrived with a Sheriff. My husband admitted to a relapse the evening prior due to the stress. He was arrested in the home and released 4 hours later. The deputy denied Busch's request to detain the kids. He also noted in the report that the home was clean and free from any narcotic paraphernalia.
2 days later Busch arrives with yet another Sheriff. This time I am home with the baby and my husband is playing with him in our bedroom. They come in. My anxiety is severe now and my pulse is elevated to 154. The deputy notes in the report that "Other than a slight increase in pulse, he saw no other sign of intoxication." Busch is not able to accept this fact. She instructs me that if I do not give a urine sample at that moment, the officer will remove the kids. To bad the officer was not present as he had been instructed my agreement to a Monitored urine sample was voluntary. It was not and I had to wait over an hour for a Female Deputy to arrive. I gave the urine sample. The Drug Screen was over 6 months expired. It was considered a "presumed Positive." Busch tried and tried to convinve the 6 Deputy officer's that these children were being Neglected and needed protection. Her and her supervisors were told no. The officer went as far as writing a paragragh in the narative that he "Reiterated to her Shannon(me) was not under the influence of any narcotic substance and that the children did not fall into the guidlines of the w&i 300 code."
Busch petitioned with Ex-Parte. I brought the boy's entire medical file. I brought the drug test results from Doctor on Duty (negative) from the same day as the "presumed postive" I brought a doctors note that stated my son was in no danger in the home and current on his checkups. None of it mattered. My baby was removed right out of my arms in court. In fact, the judge refused my evidence in a Prima-Facie case.
Anyways, Jurisdiction/Disposition. Another joke. We submited. We were promised "early return." It never happened. I completed my Parenting Class, had begun counceling, had a new full time job, had completed a treatment program, was attending all visits, tested negative on all tests. I did not miss one. My husband was active in his case plan as well, but he was exhausted. We were both trying new anti-depressants and trying to do the steps. The Maternal Grandparents were denied custody of the youngest child. That's all they wanted was the baby.
Eventually, my husband was forced to move out. He was sabotaged by the same worker who allowed the older boy to be abused. He was in Family Preservation Court. When he was unable to remain in the voluntary court service, everything changed. He was tired and depressed beyond anything anyone could or could have seen. His world was taken, and he asked for help and support. It says so in the minuet notes! no one gave him any. The social Worker, Amanda Edwards, told him he would not be seeing his children 3 times a week any more due to my impatient request to begin unsupervised and because her case load was to high. She petitioned with a 388. The Judge denied the request and the 388 was set for trial. Edwards not once in 3 months called him back to arrange a visit. Then, she advised the court of what a "dead beat" "unconcerned father" he was. Her proof was all the "missed" scheduled visits. The Transcripts show the full extent of the deceit of this worker.
7 days away from reunification. I lost my apartment. I could not afford it and after begging my attorney and the CPS worker, Edwards, for financial assistance, I gave up. They gave me none. The current recomendation was to continue with an additional 6 month reunification for me and terminate services/rights to my husband. It broke our hearts and no one would listen.
Here's something to consider. What would you do if your son had to spend his 2nd birthday running around his foster home crying and offering toys to his mom because she was leaving him? Probably the same thing I did. I didn't tell Edwards. I had already been approved for a new home and had contated my husband to have him move our stuff. Well we ran into each other. The sheriff's were there about 11 days after the lockout. He saw the baby. Again I didn't tell Edwards. She found out. The "addendum" to the report terminate services to both of us. The judge did. Nothing mattered.
The boys were placed with the maternal grandparents in a RV at Pinto Lake. That's right the home approval was a RV. The Grandmother is terminally ill and has sent multiple e-mails regarding the addiction to pain pills she developed. Didn't matter. Of course Edwards let the fingerprinting slide, but when I brought to them the multiple CPS involvement forms, they didn't care. Instead they moved both boys out of county to San Luis Obispo with out telling us. All well, right?
Not. My husband and I petitioned a 388 by ourselves, which of course, was denied. Because it did not present any new evidence. What a joke. The petitions were over 50 pages worth of new evidence! Didn't matter.
Our attorneys said their was nothing we could do. So did Abby Wexler, Assistant to the director, in her Grievance response. The 9 page complaint I mailed to the Director, the DA, and others. The Ombudsman waited until our rights were terminated, then they e-mailed me saying they couldn't discuss the status of our children.
We are in appeal currently. I have been researching 42 USC 1983. I believe that Santa Cruz County has a conspiracy against depriving parents of their rights. Safe Families and Adoption Act of 2007. What a joke. I need help. I miss my children terribly. If someone, anyone has any advise. I mean any thing, please contact me. Before it's to late.