This petition was started to reunite Latanya Whetsell with her three children, Giovanna Whetsell, Azzura Redd and Stephonne Redd. This is important because the children are now split apart, confused, and Giovanna and Stephonne are in danger of being placed into foster care with people who would be strangers to them. It will make a difference because the reason Latanya has not been reunited with her children is the simple fact that she has not signed or agreed to a "case plan" with DSS. A case plan is NOT legally required to regain custody of children, it is a mere contract between DSS and an individual. Latanya has already achieved independence on her own and is more than mentally, physically and financially stable to care for her children.

On June 6, 2013 Latanya Whetsell went to her mother's house in Fort Bragg, North Carolina to pick up her children. Liane Whetsell, the children's maternal grandmother, told Latanya that she was told by CPS worker Jordan Houchins that she is "not allowed" to pick the children up; Giovanna Whetsell(age3), Azzura Redd(age2) and Stephonne Redd(age1). Although upon her arrival at approximately 2:30PM, Latanya was in her full right to pick up her kids, as she had full custody of them. Liane Whetsell immediately called Military Police after she opened the door and allowed Latanya in the residence to prevent Latanya from leaving with her children and even accused her of physically assaulting her developementally challenged brother, Eric Whetsell Jr. Military Police officers purposely held Latanya and the children against her will so that Mr. Houchins could have time to go get his petition signed and that Latanya would not be able to return home with her children. Latanya sat there for 3 hours, waiting to be released just to find out at approximately 5:45PM that Rockingham County DSS had faxed the petition at 4:30PM and that she was being charged with assault. However, there has been no evidence or even a court hearing for the supposed assault. Jordan Houchins went to the court in Rockingham County, North Carolina, where the honorable Judge Stanley Allen signed a petition for DSS to have temporary custody of the children based upon Houchin's hearsay and biased affidavit. Latanya was forced to leave without her children and even arrested for the alleged assault. After being arrested, she was taken to the CID building in Fort Bragg, North Carolina where she was banned from the post and then escorted off base to be left outside the gate in the pouring rain.

Though there have been court hearings every month since June 6, 2013, it is important to understand all the facts to the case leading up to that date;

On or about June 1, 2012 until March 1, 2013 Latanya Whetsell had lived in the low-income housing projects of Womack Courts in Reidsville, North Carolina. She originally moved there with the father of Azzura and Stephonne, Christopher Redd along with the children. Mr. Redd moved out of the home in August, 2012 when he decided to leave Latanya for another woman. Christina King, Christopher Redd's sister, was responsible for taking the children to their medical appointments as she stated she would. Christina was given the children's Medicaid cards and shot records while Latanya assumed that Christina took the children to Day Spring Family Medical practice located in Eden, North Carolina. Ms. King inadvertently lied to Latanya and she was unaware of her negligent behavior.

Christopher Redd was requested by Ms. Cathy R. Stroupe of RCDSS to provide child support and medical coverage and was ordered by the Court on February 14, 2013. Mr Redd had since then still failed to provide any child support and medical coverage.

In March of 2013, Latanya moved to a three bedroom mobile home in the county, so that the children may have a better environment than the housing projects. Latanya was working at Carolina Veterinary Assistance and Adoptions Group, Inc at the time and had sought DSS to help her in daycare needs for the children. Sadly, DSS was unable to help her and Mr. Redd, along with his family didn't want to assist in watching the children either. With nobody to watch the children while she was at work, Latanya lost her job in April 2013.

On May 3, 2013 due to her being unable to pay the bill because of her loss of employment, Latanya's electricity got cut off. She immediately went to RCDSS for help with the elecricity issue. RCDSS had denied her assistance because Ms. Whetsell was unemployed. Latanya then did what she thought was the right thing; she packed up the children's belongings and brought her children to her mother's house in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Upon arrival at her mother's house, Latanya explained her situation that social services would not provide her with any services in relations to the kids, electricity and daycare, and asked of her mother Liane Whetsell to care for the children until all matters could be resolved. Latanya left her mother with the children's social security cards and birth certificates for their identity,and also explained that she was unable to give the Medicaid cards because Mrs. King never returned them to her.

Now, the Honorable Judge James Grogan has ruled that the children were NOT dependent, but still favored the recommendations of DSS that Giovanna and Stephonne stay in DSS temporary custody and Azzura be under Christopher Redd's full custody. The same Christopher Redd that did NOT pay child support, did NOT provide medical coverage, and was absent in Azzura's life overall. For 9 months leading up to May 2013, Mr. Redd did not visit his Azzura, did not call to check on her, did not show her any love or affection, didnt show up or call for her birthday and did NOT assist in watching let alone raising her so that Latanya could go to work and support her children financially. Judge Grogan even Ordered that if Latanya wants to visit Azzura, she must pay for DSS to supervise and host the visit.

Latanya has made every effort possible to regain her independence and seeks custody of her children. She has found full-time employment with benefits, enrolled in school and is purchasing a three bedroom house on approximately 1.9 acres of land. Still, DSS and Judge Grogan don't want to reunite Latanya Whetsell with her children simply because she did not sign a "case plan" with DSS. Latanya should get credit for all the work and effort she has done. One should not be discriminated upon just because they succeed in achieving their goals independently without DSS supervision or help.