As a single mother, whose life has been shared wholly and completely with my nine-year-old daughter following the death of her father, I find my family unjustly torn apart by Iowa's Department of Human Services (DHS). This all traces back to an unfortunate incident in June where I was arrested incidental to a situation involving drugs within a car I occupied. Though it is imperative to note that during this occurrence, my daughter was safely with a babysitter. No harm, abuse, or threat to her wellbeing has ever been a part of our journey, a statement supported by the fact that she has never even needed ER care in her young life.

Instead, our bond is characterized by warmth, support, and an encouraging environment that has allowed my daughter to flourish academically, being a straight-A student and recognized as talented and gifted in her educational program. Separating us does not only cause emotional devastation but also interrupts her routines and her successful academic path.

We know children thrive best in stable environments with consistent routines. According to Professor Kevin Shafer from the Department of Sociology at Brigham Young University, abrupt changes in the support system of a child could lead to detrimental psychological effects ("The Effects of Separation on Kids").

Considering these facts, I implore that authorities reconsider the decision keeping my daughter away from her only remaining parent. Allowing her to come back home would be a decision made in her best interest: a balance of psychological wellbeing, academic consistency, and the emotional bonds of family. Sign this petition to request a review of my case by the Iowa DHS, and help restore the rightful custody and ensure the best possible future for my child.

At this point DHS has harmed my daughters stability and mental wellbeing by separating us against both of our wills. Pulling her from the only school she has attended since kindergarten away from everyone she knows. I am only allowed 4 hours a week of supervised visits. I have been placed on the child abuse registry preemptively. By the Dhs workers own admission on the stand there was never anything to suggest aurora wasn't receiving adequate care. When she came to my home Aurora was properly dressed, there was food and water, no dangers she could see and NO drug paraphernalia. No bruises or injuries on Aurora. Yet she stated my daughter was in eminent danger because I may be on meth. I have severe ADHD & am on Adderall to treat it. She stated that my adhd symptoms were behavioral indicators of use. Being on Adderall affects drug testing as it causes false positives. I did a drug evaluation on July 1st to which I was assured would be the end of this. I passed the drug test and evaluation. I put myself in EOP treatment even though it wasn't recommended by the professionals. It was unneeded. The same day I passed the assessment worker founded the case against me saying I "changed my story". This same worker only met us the 1 time. In that time she asked Aurora only 2 questions, one of them being "is there anything in the house you are not allowed to touch?' Aurora responded "ya, glass stuff." we had multiple witnesses to this. Said worker has since changed my daughters words to "glass tubes or pipes".  Her version of that conversation also includes me answering for roar yet i was in the process of getting my daughter ready to go. Hers is the version that made it to the judge and now will make it to the supreme court. So many facts have been misconstrued or entirely overlooked in my case.

It has been months of pure hell. DHS not having anything to give me to help me better myself because I was already involved in mental health services, addiction services, and using state assistance before this started. I own my home which we have lived in for 5 years & 2 cars. I Their resources aren't needed here.  I had a job for 2 1/2 years that I lost due to the stress of this. Thankfully my fiance is able to provide for us in the meantime but our lives have been ripped apart by a Department  meant to protect the wellbeing of children.  

DHS has used false positives that I couldn't pay to confirm after the job loss against me. They have used the fact that I'm medically unable to wear a drug test patch against me. I regularly dye my hair which has messed with the ability to easily or quickly do a hair test. They absolutely refuse to UA me though I have begged them. I have been submitting drug tests through drug treatment for 3 months that they won't accept because it's not their tests. I'm terrified at this point they will try to terminate my rights. I have so much proof of every lie from the allegations to the assessment worker but I can't get a single person including the judge to hear me.

The DHS Procedures that are posted to the public specifically state that they are not supposed to hinge a persons sobriety on drug testing alone. though i have coopperated every way i can and shown my capability in parenting they are doing just that. This system is so broken and it's breaking my family.