Thank you to everyone who has signed my petition. I do not take your kindness and compassionate spirit lightly. Each signature helps elevate this cause, one person at a time. I have also reached out to our senators and members of the House of Representatives to seek their support. What will truly move these institutions is a large number of signatures—enough to make an undeniable impact.
As of yesterday, my niece was still living in an unsanitary home. Her attorney visited and had nowhere to sit because the house was extremely dirty. My niece sleeps in the attic on a bed that is falling apart. The caregiver does not cook. There is also a friend’s dog in the home—similar to the one that previously bit my niece, leaving permanent scars. She is already traumatized, and this environment only deepens that trauma.
DCYF dropped her there and then left to prepare for their Thanksgiving holiday. CASA has not bothered to check on the conditions in which this child is being forced to live. This is a systemic failure by the very organizations that are supposed to protect our children. When asked about their plans for her Thanksgiving, DCYF stated they would be closed and had no plans at all. This is the level of indifference shown by the people entrusted with our children’s well-being.
I share these details to encourage you to ask at least five family members or friends to sign the petition during your Thanksgiving gathering tomorrow. Please remember that this child will not have a warm Thanksgiving meal because DCYF and CASA have chosen not to care. This is why kinship placements matter—because every child deserves safety, dignity, and love.
I will start a separate petition addressing DCYF when the time is right. For now, we will take this one organization at a time.
Thank you again for standing with us.