Meth Addicted Infant Returned To Mother

[Sphincter Cop]

Via The Huffington Post

Federal officials returned a baby born addicted to methamphetamine to its mother, despite the woman's failure to submit to drug tests for her own addiction.

The unidentified mom, of Fargo, N.D., lost custody of the 4-month-old in October, when she allegedly failed to submit to court-ordered drug tests, according to Inforum. But in a move that's being criticized by the infant's foster parents, officials with the Bureau of Indian Affairs returned the child to her mother pending a two-week drug program on the Spirit Lake reservation.

"The foster dad is extremely frustrated," Molly McDonald, a former tribal judge who knows the foster family, told the Dickinson Press. "They placed this child back in danger with its mother."

In a report filed before the infant was returned, human services official Thomas Sullivan wrote that "It seems reasonable to conclude the mother is still addicted to meth," according to the Grand Forks Herald.

In an earlier report, Sullivan had noted that the mother didn't want anything to do with the child in the first place.

Calls to the bureau were not returned by press time, but Inforum notes that officials won't comment on individual cases.

Social services groups told the site that there are a growing number of babies being born with drugs in their system in the area of the reservation.

This is when; as an officer you just shake your head and wonder WTF.

[ramseycat]

As a mother, I SMH and wonder WTF as well.

[Duchess]

The Feds are retarded.

[FAHQTOO]

Gawd damn this shit pisses me off!!

How do you get a good nights sleep knowing you gave a baby back to a drug addicted mother who doesn't even want the baby?

[HairOfTheDog]

Jesus, this is infuriating.

Plus, it makes absolutely no sense - key pieces of information are missing in the article posted in the OP.

-Baby's born addicted to meth and mom didn't want the baby in the first place. Okay, got it.
-Baby is placed with foster parents, likely with stipulations that mom has to clean up her act and pass random drug tests before she can even hope to file for custody.
- ??????
-Feds return baby to mom.

?????? what happened here?

Why did the Feds give the baby back to mom? Did mom file suit against Social Services? Did the tribe file suit against Social Services?

Poor kid; not a positive outlook...

[Sphincter Cop]

Why did the Feds give the baby back to mom? Did mom file suit against Social Services? Did the tribe file suit against Social Services?

Poor kid; not a positive outlook...

History will repeat itself; as it always does in cases such as this. You can only hope that the child is unharmed. Then again, the state gave the kid back. Talk about liability in the making.

[HairOfTheDog]

Why did the Feds give the baby back to mom? Did mom file suit against Social Services? Did the tribe file suit against Social Services?

Poor kid; not a positive outlook...

History will repeat itself; as it always does in cases such as this. You can only hope that the child is unharmed. Then again, the state gave the kid back. Talk about liability in the making.

Yeah, not a good feeling about this one.

I was just reading more about it in the Jamestown Sun. The Spirit Lake reservation has had some major problems with its social services organization, to the degree that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) stepped in and took over on Oct 1^st. Wonder if there's some politics / organizational bullshit involved in this one?

This article/story leads me to believe that mom did complete the mandatory two week Spirit Lake Recovery and Wellness Program, but then refused to take two of the required drug tests. Maybe the baby ended up back with mom because the social services requirements were a mess and didn't specifically state that all of the random drug tests must be taken and passed, along with completing the program, in order to regain custody. Just speculating here because I seriously don't understand why the hell this baby is not with its willing/able foster parents.

Maddening and sad. Hoping for the best for the child, which means hoping for the best for the mom...

Ref:
http://www.jamestownsun.com/event/articl.../homepage/

[Sphincter Cop]

I was just reading more about it in the Jamestown Sun. The Spirit Lake reservation has had some major problems with its social services organization

This article/story leads me to believe that mom did complete the mandatory two week Spirit Lake Recovery and Wellness Program

First problem, you are dealing with this native american reservation bullshit. They do have their own laws and such but its all based on tribal policy.

As for the recovery part; well all I can think is sweat lodge bullshit.

So funny how someone can not take the drug tests, but still get their baby back. Looks like all laws are fucked up when it comes to protecting a child. Then again, common sense never (EVER) plays a role in this, because no one has any.

[username]

I remember watching some Cops-like show a year or so ago and a segment about a very pregnant woman (she was at least 8 months along). Anyway, the cops went to her house and she was CLEARLY high and admitted to being a meth addict. The cops told her she really ought to get some help. Then they left. Meanwhile I was yelling at my t.v. screen...

WAIT! NO!! ARREST HER!!!!

SC, I'm guessing it varies from state to state but is that typical?

[Sphincter Cop]

SC, I'm guessing it varies from state to state but is that typical?

There have been many cases where you are confronted with this situation and left helpless to do anything. Only because you lack the probable cause or evidence to act.

I don't blame people for getting upset over it, but some liberal idiot gets on a jury or bench regarding a civil/criminal proceeding that deals with an appeal or evidence ruling and law enforcement just get their hands tied.
This goes deep into the political front as well.

Good officers legally obtain or find the right thing to hook people like her up for a long time. But then we have our fair share of lazy asses too!

[Duchess]

In my mind, tribal law is like the Catholic church, they think they are a law unto themselves. I'm not certain exactly how that works but I think US law would override tribal law.

Indians like to keep Indian "business" between Indians. They want to handle it their way. That's not a diss or to say they aren't capable it's just an observation.

[Sphincter Cop]

Indians like to keep Indian "business" between Indians. They want to handle it their way. That's not a diss or to say they aren't capable it's just an observation.

They are drunks and drug addicts; not sure where the blame is to be placed. But it is, what it is.

There is a tribal casino on Rt 41 and 920 just outside Miami. I went in there to gamble and I was not impressed at all. First, I didn't understand the fucking slot machines, everything was nascar oriented, the bingo hall was the size of a fucking mall, the place was dirty, but the bar was top notch; go figure.

I am not pro-native american, well I am not pro anything about any culture that wants to seperate itself from everyone else. That's just me.

[Duchess]

They are drunks and drug addicts

That's like saying all gays are queens.

Stereotypes.

[Sphincter Cop]

They are drunks and drug addicts

That's like saying all gays are queens.

Stereotypes.

I know, right.....I have never had a good encounter with an indian.

[Maggot]

The Feds are retarded.

Just think, your health care will soon be run by them.

[Sphincter Cop]

The Feds are retarded.

Just think, your health care will soon be run by them.

Oh shit....you're right