Title
Missouri-COVID virus situation used to deny family reunification
Missouri-COVID virus situation used to deny family reunification
Court Case 19DE-PR00009 16PH-JU00156 16PH-JU00157
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF PHELPS COUNTY, MISSOURI JUVENILE DIVISION
Judge Calvert – 25th Judicial Circuit Court Phelps County Rolla, MO
Emilee J Lawson (paternal grandmother)
Intervenor – Emilee J Lawson (paternal grandmother)
Caseworker: Deborah Garey Supervisor: Bobbie Jo Lewis
Emilee Lawson 573-453-6965
October 2018
Missouri Department of Social Services/Children Division?
Missouri, in family court the National COVID-19 virus pandemic that had the court system shut down is now used as a way for judges to work around due process of law and equal protection of inalienable rights to family integrity and denying family reunification. The Fourteenth Amendment Clause to Due Process and the fundamental rights of parents as to the care, custody, companionship, and control of their children is completely disregarded; judges are saying it is not anyone’s fault “the virus” situation had the court system shut down; family reunification denied.
Missouri Children’s Division has interfered with family reunification as required by both state and federal laws. The paternal grandparents have been found to be appropriate and denied family reunification due to the COVID virus pandemic; the judge believed the children had bonded with the current non-relative placement. When the children were first placed in the foster care system, the paternal grandparents took immediate placement. The children lived with the grandparents from August 2, 2016 – September 25. 2019 and were pursuing guardianship at the request and consent of the natural parents. The children were moved to a non-relative placement when the case manager claimed the grandparents only wanted guardianship of their granddaughter and siblings need to stay together. Guardianship had been filed for both children. There is still an open petition for guardianship and signed consent to adopt. My grandchildren are about to be illegally adopted out by the state of Missouri.
I have a complete timeline but do not know how to attach it.
Judges Comments
Judge Calvert found the grandparents to be appropriate for the children; he cannot go back and redress the wrong that was done to me and my husband by moving the children back with us. Judge Calvert refers to “the virus” situation referring to the COVID-19 quarantine and the delay in court dates. “The court system was shut down, and it is not anyone’s fault”. “That may have put you in a worse situation. Family reunification denied.