Was a Detroit mother right to resist efforts by Child Protective Services, police to take her child?

[Guest guest]

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2011/03/was_a_detroit_mother_right_to.html

Was a Detroit mother right to resist

efforts by Child Protective Services, police to take her child?

Published: Monday, March 28, 2011, 10:55 AM Updated: Monday, March 28,

2011, 12:42 PM

anne Godboldo was looking only for help.

Last year, the Detroit mother went to the Children's Center,

a group that works with troubled children, to seek advice and a

treatment plan for her 13-year-old daughter. The girl, who'd

never had behavioral problems before, was suddenly irritable and

not her usual self following a series of immunization shots.

As part of the center's treatment plan, a doctor prescribed

the child an anti-psychotic medication. But the child's symptoms

only worsened. As a result, Godboldo sought another physician,

who quickly recommended taking the child off the psychotropic

drug.

The mother agreed and, according to her attorney, who spoke

exclusively with MLive Detroit earlier today, Godboldo began

following that doctor's orders.

Unfortunately for Godboldo, the state didn't agree. Child

Protective Services wanted Godboldo's child medicated according

the center's plan, and CPS workers essentially told the

56-year-old mother — who was never under any court order to

follow the plan — to agree to their program or surrender her

child.

She refused both. And so, on Thursday, CPS workers showed up

at Godboldo's house with the police, who said they had a warrant

to take the child. But according to Godboldo's lawyer, Wanda A.

, officers never produced a warrant even after Godboldo

repeatedly asked to see one.

A standoff ensued. A gunshot was fired from inside the house

— though, according to , not at officers. Finally, after

long hours of tense negotiations, Godboldo — a mother, a

teacher, a dancer and a respected figure in the city's arts

circles — surrendered, was jailed and, on Sunday, was arraigned

on multiple felony charges.

March

28, Detroit News: Godboldo is accused of barricading

herself inside her west side home with her 13-year-old daughter

and a gun after being confronted Thursday afternoon by Child

Protective Services workers who had a warrant to remove the girl

because the mother had withheld her medication. Detroit Police

said Godboldo fired a shot and refused to leave the home until

negotiators, including a Wayne County judge, helped talk her

into surrendering.

"We talked that day mother-to-mother. I asked her to come out on

her porch and I promised I would come here today to walk out

with her," Wayne Circuit Judge Deborah said Sunday after

the hearing. "I'm shocked by the amount of the bond. I never

dreamed it would be set so high and she wouldn't be free to care

for her daughter."

Meanwhile, according to , the daughter, who has a

physical disability, remains in the custody of the state even

though several relatives and family friends have repeatedly

volunteered to care for her in her mother's absence: "They had a

hearing that they didn't notify anyone of, and a woman from CPS

said that no family had come forward to take care of the girl.

That's just not true. Relatives were all at the house when this

incident happened, saying they would take care of her. It's

like, the state just wants to medicate this child."

But for now, at least, the drugs are off the table. A Wayne

County Circuit Court judge ordered the medication discontinued

until further review.

How isn't this entire incident a travesty?

How does a woman who voluntarily goes looking for help wind

up behind bars because she's trying to do what she thinks is

right by her child? How can the state make a mom who, by all

accounts, has done a wonderful job of parenting give her child

medicine that she and a doctor both think only worsens a

problem? And how is it that we can respect a judge ordering the

child off the medication but not a mother acting on her

physician's advice?

compares Godboldo to comic McCarthy, who has

railed publicly against vaccines as a potential cause of autism

in children. Granted, the science

weighs heavily against that theory, but as says,

"Nobody is kicking in McCarthy's door. She has the right

to do what she thinks is in the best interest of her child. Why

can't this woman?"

Hell, this isn't about vaccines even: Godboldo had gone along

with the shots. She wasn't some religious nut denying her child

a life-saving medical treatment. This was a mother who, along

with her doctor, didn't believe her child benefited from

psychotropic drugs.

As Judge ' remarks suggest, the incident has sparked

shock and outrage among many in Detroit who believe that Child

Protective Services overreacted (and that state agencies are

often far too quick to recommend medication for kids, especially

black children). A rally of support for Godboldo is being held

at Detroit's Hartford Memorial Church on April 2.

I doubt that anybody's trying to justify standoffs with cops

or warning shots or any of the other sensational elements of

this incident. But early evidence strongly suggests that the CPS

workers overstepped their bounds in a major way.

If so, then how could Godboldo not resist? Because regardless

of whether it's to mental illness, physical disabilities or

state agencies, good parents do not simply surrender their

children.

[Guest guest]

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2011/03/was_a_detroit_mother_right_to.html

Was a Detroit mother right to resist

efforts by Child Protective Services, police to take her child?

Published: Monday, March 28, 2011, 10:55 AM Updated: Monday, March 28,

2011, 12:42 PM

anne Godboldo was looking only for help.

Last year, the Detroit mother went to the Children's Center,

a group that works with troubled children, to seek advice and a

treatment plan for her 13-year-old daughter. The girl, who'd

never had behavioral problems before, was suddenly irritable and

not her usual self following a series of immunization shots.

As part of the center's treatment plan, a doctor prescribed

the child an anti-psychotic medication. But the child's symptoms

only worsened. As a result, Godboldo sought another physician,

who quickly recommended taking the child off the psychotropic

drug.

The mother agreed and, according to her attorney, who spoke

exclusively with MLive Detroit earlier today, Godboldo began

following that doctor's orders.

Unfortunately for Godboldo, the state didn't agree. Child

Protective Services wanted Godboldo's child medicated according

the center's plan, and CPS workers essentially told the

56-year-old mother — who was never under any court order to

follow the plan — to agree to their program or surrender her

child.

She refused both. And so, on Thursday, CPS workers showed up

at Godboldo's house with the police, who said they had a warrant

to take the child. But according to Godboldo's lawyer, Wanda A.

, officers never produced a warrant even after Godboldo

repeatedly asked to see one.

A standoff ensued. A gunshot was fired from inside the house

— though, according to , not at officers. Finally, after

long hours of tense negotiations, Godboldo — a mother, a

teacher, a dancer and a respected figure in the city's arts

circles — surrendered, was jailed and, on Sunday, was arraigned

on multiple felony charges.

March

28, Detroit News: Godboldo is accused of barricading

herself inside her west side home with her 13-year-old daughter

and a gun after being confronted Thursday afternoon by Child

Protective Services workers who had a warrant to remove the girl

because the mother had withheld her medication. Detroit Police

said Godboldo fired a shot and refused to leave the home until

negotiators, including a Wayne County judge, helped talk her

into surrendering.

"We talked that day mother-to-mother. I asked her to come out on

her porch and I promised I would come here today to walk out

with her," Wayne Circuit Judge Deborah said Sunday after

the hearing. "I'm shocked by the amount of the bond. I never

dreamed it would be set so high and she wouldn't be free to care

for her daughter."

Meanwhile, according to , the daughter, who has a

physical disability, remains in the custody of the state even

though several relatives and family friends have repeatedly

volunteered to care for her in her mother's absence: "They had a

hearing that they didn't notify anyone of, and a woman from CPS

said that no family had come forward to take care of the girl.

That's just not true. Relatives were all at the house when this

incident happened, saying they would take care of her. It's

like, the state just wants to medicate this child."

But for now, at least, the drugs are off the table. A Wayne

County Circuit Court judge ordered the medication discontinued

until further review.

How isn't this entire incident a travesty?

How does a woman who voluntarily goes looking for help wind

up behind bars because she's trying to do what she thinks is

right by her child? How can the state make a mom who, by all

accounts, has done a wonderful job of parenting give her child

medicine that she and a doctor both think only worsens a

problem? And how is it that we can respect a judge ordering the

child off the medication but not a mother acting on her

physician's advice?

compares Godboldo to comic McCarthy, who has

railed publicly against vaccines as a potential cause of autism

in children. Granted, the science

weighs heavily against that theory, but as says,

"Nobody is kicking in McCarthy's door. She has the right

to do what she thinks is in the best interest of her child. Why

can't this woman?"

Hell, this isn't about vaccines even: Godboldo had gone along

with the shots. She wasn't some religious nut denying her child

a life-saving medical treatment. This was a mother who, along

with her doctor, didn't believe her child benefited from

psychotropic drugs.

As Judge ' remarks suggest, the incident has sparked

shock and outrage among many in Detroit who believe that Child

Protective Services overreacted (and that state agencies are

often far too quick to recommend medication for kids, especially

black children). A rally of support for Godboldo is being held

at Detroit's Hartford Memorial Church on April 2.

I doubt that anybody's trying to justify standoffs with cops

or warning shots or any of the other sensational elements of

this incident. But early evidence strongly suggests that the CPS

workers overstepped their bounds in a major way.

If so, then how could Godboldo not resist? Because regardless

of whether it's to mental illness, physical disabilities or

state agencies, good parents do not simply surrender their

children.

[Guest guest]

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2011/03/was_a_detroit_mother_right_to.html

Was a Detroit mother right to resist

efforts by Child Protective Services, police to take her child?

Published: Monday, March 28, 2011, 10:55 AM Updated: Monday, March 28,

2011, 12:42 PM

anne Godboldo was looking only for help.

Last year, the Detroit mother went to the Children's Center,

a group that works with troubled children, to seek advice and a

treatment plan for her 13-year-old daughter. The girl, who'd

never had behavioral problems before, was suddenly irritable and

not her usual self following a series of immunization shots.

As part of the center's treatment plan, a doctor prescribed

the child an anti-psychotic medication. But the child's symptoms

only worsened. As a result, Godboldo sought another physician,

who quickly recommended taking the child off the psychotropic

drug.

The mother agreed and, according to her attorney, who spoke

exclusively with MLive Detroit earlier today, Godboldo began

following that doctor's orders.

Unfortunately for Godboldo, the state didn't agree. Child

Protective Services wanted Godboldo's child medicated according

the center's plan, and CPS workers essentially told the

56-year-old mother — who was never under any court order to

follow the plan — to agree to their program or surrender her

child.

She refused both. And so, on Thursday, CPS workers showed up

at Godboldo's house with the police, who said they had a warrant

to take the child. But according to Godboldo's lawyer, Wanda A.

, officers never produced a warrant even after Godboldo

repeatedly asked to see one.

A standoff ensued. A gunshot was fired from inside the house

— though, according to , not at officers. Finally, after

long hours of tense negotiations, Godboldo — a mother, a

teacher, a dancer and a respected figure in the city's arts

circles — surrendered, was jailed and, on Sunday, was arraigned

on multiple felony charges.

March

28, Detroit News: Godboldo is accused of barricading

herself inside her west side home with her 13-year-old daughter

and a gun after being confronted Thursday afternoon by Child

Protective Services workers who had a warrant to remove the girl

because the mother had withheld her medication. Detroit Police

said Godboldo fired a shot and refused to leave the home until

negotiators, including a Wayne County judge, helped talk her

into surrendering.

"We talked that day mother-to-mother. I asked her to come out on

her porch and I promised I would come here today to walk out

with her," Wayne Circuit Judge Deborah said Sunday after

the hearing. "I'm shocked by the amount of the bond. I never

dreamed it would be set so high and she wouldn't be free to care

for her daughter."

Meanwhile, according to , the daughter, who has a

physical disability, remains in the custody of the state even

though several relatives and family friends have repeatedly

volunteered to care for her in her mother's absence: "They had a

hearing that they didn't notify anyone of, and a woman from CPS

said that no family had come forward to take care of the girl.

That's just not true. Relatives were all at the house when this

incident happened, saying they would take care of her. It's

like, the state just wants to medicate this child."

But for now, at least, the drugs are off the table. A Wayne

County Circuit Court judge ordered the medication discontinued

until further review.

How isn't this entire incident a travesty?

How does a woman who voluntarily goes looking for help wind

up behind bars because she's trying to do what she thinks is

right by her child? How can the state make a mom who, by all

accounts, has done a wonderful job of parenting give her child

medicine that she and a doctor both think only worsens a

problem? And how is it that we can respect a judge ordering the

child off the medication but not a mother acting on her

physician's advice?

compares Godboldo to comic McCarthy, who has

railed publicly against vaccines as a potential cause of autism

in children. Granted, the science

weighs heavily against that theory, but as says,

"Nobody is kicking in McCarthy's door. She has the right

to do what she thinks is in the best interest of her child. Why

can't this woman?"

Hell, this isn't about vaccines even: Godboldo had gone along

with the shots. She wasn't some religious nut denying her child

a life-saving medical treatment. This was a mother who, along

with her doctor, didn't believe her child benefited from

psychotropic drugs.

As Judge ' remarks suggest, the incident has sparked

shock and outrage among many in Detroit who believe that Child

Protective Services overreacted (and that state agencies are

often far too quick to recommend medication for kids, especially

black children). A rally of support for Godboldo is being held

at Detroit's Hartford Memorial Church on April 2.

I doubt that anybody's trying to justify standoffs with cops

or warning shots or any of the other sensational elements of

this incident. But early evidence strongly suggests that the CPS

workers overstepped their bounds in a major way.

If so, then how could Godboldo not resist? Because regardless

of whether it's to mental illness, physical disabilities or

state agencies, good parents do not simply surrender their

children.

[Guest guest]

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2011/03/was_a_detroit_mother_right_to.html

Was a Detroit mother right to resist

efforts by Child Protective Services, police to take her child?

Published: Monday, March 28, 2011, 10:55 AM Updated: Monday, March 28,

2011, 12:42 PM

anne Godboldo was looking only for help.

Last year, the Detroit mother went to the Children's Center,

a group that works with troubled children, to seek advice and a

treatment plan for her 13-year-old daughter. The girl, who'd

never had behavioral problems before, was suddenly irritable and

not her usual self following a series of immunization shots.

As part of the center's treatment plan, a doctor prescribed

the child an anti-psychotic medication. But the child's symptoms

only worsened. As a result, Godboldo sought another physician,

who quickly recommended taking the child off the psychotropic

drug.

The mother agreed and, according to her attorney, who spoke

exclusively with MLive Detroit earlier today, Godboldo began

following that doctor's orders.

Unfortunately for Godboldo, the state didn't agree. Child

Protective Services wanted Godboldo's child medicated according

the center's plan, and CPS workers essentially told the

56-year-old mother — who was never under any court order to

follow the plan — to agree to their program or surrender her

child.

She refused both. And so, on Thursday, CPS workers showed up

at Godboldo's house with the police, who said they had a warrant

to take the child. But according to Godboldo's lawyer, Wanda A.

, officers never produced a warrant even after Godboldo

repeatedly asked to see one.

A standoff ensued. A gunshot was fired from inside the house

— though, according to , not at officers. Finally, after

long hours of tense negotiations, Godboldo — a mother, a

teacher, a dancer and a respected figure in the city's arts

circles — surrendered, was jailed and, on Sunday, was arraigned

on multiple felony charges.

March

28, Detroit News: Godboldo is accused of barricading

herself inside her west side home with her 13-year-old daughter

and a gun after being confronted Thursday afternoon by Child

Protective Services workers who had a warrant to remove the girl

because the mother had withheld her medication. Detroit Police

said Godboldo fired a shot and refused to leave the home until

negotiators, including a Wayne County judge, helped talk her

into surrendering.

"We talked that day mother-to-mother. I asked her to come out on

her porch and I promised I would come here today to walk out

with her," Wayne Circuit Judge Deborah said Sunday after

the hearing. "I'm shocked by the amount of the bond. I never

dreamed it would be set so high and she wouldn't be free to care

for her daughter."

Meanwhile, according to , the daughter, who has a

physical disability, remains in the custody of the state even

though several relatives and family friends have repeatedly

volunteered to care for her in her mother's absence: "They had a

hearing that they didn't notify anyone of, and a woman from CPS

said that no family had come forward to take care of the girl.

That's just not true. Relatives were all at the house when this

incident happened, saying they would take care of her. It's

like, the state just wants to medicate this child."

But for now, at least, the drugs are off the table. A Wayne

County Circuit Court judge ordered the medication discontinued

until further review.

How isn't this entire incident a travesty?

How does a woman who voluntarily goes looking for help wind

up behind bars because she's trying to do what she thinks is

right by her child? How can the state make a mom who, by all

accounts, has done a wonderful job of parenting give her child

medicine that she and a doctor both think only worsens a

problem? And how is it that we can respect a judge ordering the

child off the medication but not a mother acting on her

physician's advice?

compares Godboldo to comic McCarthy, who has

railed publicly against vaccines as a potential cause of autism

in children. Granted, the science

weighs heavily against that theory, but as says,

"Nobody is kicking in McCarthy's door. She has the right

to do what she thinks is in the best interest of her child. Why

can't this woman?"

Hell, this isn't about vaccines even: Godboldo had gone along

with the shots. She wasn't some religious nut denying her child

a life-saving medical treatment. This was a mother who, along

with her doctor, didn't believe her child benefited from

psychotropic drugs.

As Judge ' remarks suggest, the incident has sparked

shock and outrage among many in Detroit who believe that Child

Protective Services overreacted (and that state agencies are

often far too quick to recommend medication for kids, especially

black children). A rally of support for Godboldo is being held

at Detroit's Hartford Memorial Church on April 2.

I doubt that anybody's trying to justify standoffs with cops

or warning shots or any of the other sensational elements of

this incident. But early evidence strongly suggests that the CPS

workers overstepped their bounds in a major way.

If so, then how could Godboldo not resist? Because regardless

of whether it's to mental illness, physical disabilities or

state agencies, good parents do not simply surrender their

children.