This page contains true stories of families whose lives have been turned upside down by the County Department of Children's Services. In many of these cases, the facts can be confirmed by conversations recorded on audio and/or videotape. The facts have been gathered from the families, court records, and recorded incidents.

New cases are being added to this page.

2002 Ashland County Case
Dad is arrested under the Domestic Violence law for spanking his daughter, and banned from the home. The judge refuses to dismiss the case, but dad is found not guilty by a jury. Dad is not allowed to return home for six months. The children are now out of control, and the parents are in the process of a divorce.

2002 Ashland County Case
Daughter is spanked by dad for misbehavior. Dad is arrested by sheriff's deputies and the girl is taken from the home by social workers. Dad is banned from the home with a Temporary Protection Order, even though he runs the farm. The daughter, an asthmatic, is placed in a foster home of smokers, and ends up in the hospital ill. Eight months later, dad is found not guilty in criminal court, but is still considered a child abuser in juvenile court. The FDNO funds an appeal in District Court, and one year later, the judge reverses his own decision and allows dad back home. The parents are now in danger of losing their farm due to the debt incurred fighting the case.

2005 Cuyahoga County Case
A mom is reported to Children's Services for consuming a small amount of wine during her pregnancy. A social worker orders the mother to report to her office, and schedules the mom to attend costly programs. Mom is made to think she is required to comply, even though she is never shown any paperwork by the social worker. The allegations against the mom are "substantiated" by the social workers, only to be changed to "unsubstantiated" after Children's Services is contacted by the mom's attorney.

2001 Montgomery County Case
Mom is arrested under the Domestic Violence law for a bruise found on the girl's leg, even though the injury resulted from a fall. The mom's attorney is given the information necessary to file a Motion to Dismiss, and does so. The charge is dismissed by the judge. A Federal lawsuit is now pending against the county.

2004 Richland County Case
Parents refuse to allow a social worker to interview their son regarding allegations of abuse. The social worker files a complaint against the parents in court and obtains a summons for the parents to appear, even though the criteria for Child Abuse has not been met. An attorney is provided by the FDNO, and the charges against the parents are dismissed by the court.

2004 Shelby, Ohio Case
Dad is arrested under the Domestic Violence statute for spanking his son. Dad's attorney tells him that he is guilty of DV, and to plead guilty to the charge. Dad contacts the Family Defense Network of Ohio, and the attorney is provided with all of the information necessary to defend dad. A Motion to Dismiss is filed with the court, and the judge throws out the case without going to trial.

Family Defense Network of Ohio     Office Box 26348, Cleveland, Ohio 44126     440-829-9830    FamilyDefenseNet@cox.net

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