My Story: Why I’m Fighting to Bring My Babies Home

I don’t even know where to begin. Words often fail me, and after all I’ve been through, I don’t expect to easily convince anyone. But this isn’t about convincing—it’s about telling the truth.

In April of 2007, my firstborn son, Anton, was taken from me by Children and Youth Services (CYS) based on false accusations. In 2010, my daughter—Isis, lovingly called Izzy—was taken too.

I begged CYS for help. I was being abused, and I knew we were in danger. I asked them to protect me and my babies. But instead of offering help, they turned a blind eye to the abuse—and took my children away.

They didn’t take them because I was neglectful. I had a home, a job, a car, and everything my children needed. I was a soldier in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, working hard to provide for my family. I had—and still have—the ability to give my children love, stability, and safety. But none of that mattered.

What followed has been years of relentless heartbreak and sleepless nights—a fight against both a broken system and an abusive ex-husband. Between the two, I have endured mental anguish, injustice, and a level of grief I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

It’s hard to find the words to describe all that has happened. But the truth is simple:

I have always deserved to raise my children—and they have always deserved to have me as their mother.

Not a single day goes by that I don’t think of them. I cry. I pray. I hope they are safe. I hope one day I’ll hold them again. They have younger siblings now who hear about them all the time. They deserve to know each other. They deserve to be together.

Please, help me bring my babies home.

The Bigger Picture:

This didn’t start with me. When I was growing up, my siblings and I were part of the free school lunch program—a list that CPS has used to profile low-income families. That same system moved down the line: from my siblings, to their kids, and eventually to me and mine.

This is not just my story. This is happening to countless families across Pennsylvania and beyond. It’s time for change.