Nephews removed from home by Child Services - Any one with an experience

bgf1

Hi All I wasn't sure what board this best belonged on so here goes.  My sister's husband left her and their 4 children (all under 8) about 1.5 years ago.  The boys are pretty wild, and my sister has never been much of a disciplarian. After her husband left he would only visit the kids about once a month, and often did not pay her child support.  She has been overwhelmed and short on resources.  I live on the other side of the country.  I visited in April and while I saw the boys as wild as ever and the house was a disaster, I was not concerned for their welfare.

 Two nights ago I got a call from her saying that child services and taken the boys.  She stated that they removed them because of concerns from the neighbours that the boys ran about unsupervised and were apparently seen alone at the lagoon.  I don't know if there is anymore to the story.  My sister loves her children, she has little to no help and little to no money, in my mind there is no question of abuse or anything of the like.  She says that she has met with a social worker and they will come up with an action plan to address what she need to do to get the boys back.  In the mean time the boys are somewhere in foster care (CAS will not reveal any info to the family).  Has anyone had family or friends in a similar situation.  Any ideas on what I can do help support her, and in the long run the boys are appreciated?  (The youngest is the same age as my son and I can't even think about how confused and devastated they boys must be the youngest 3 aren't yet in school and are used to being with their mom 24/7)

Kitiara5512

No advice but offering high hopes and positive vibes for the whole family.

ETA spelling, cause my phone hates me

LaCally4

I'm with the others, just be there for your sister and once there is a plan in place you may better see how you can help her to get things under control. I'm sorry she has to go through this.

MarSamWhitney

I hope she can get it straightend out quickly. *hugs*

shakes

I am so sorry to hear this B. CAS will work with her to help her get things sorted out, the right resources, and some help. It will help her tremendously if someone in the family can get interim custody. Usually though, there is a number of visits or some sort of contact before children are removed. But I am sure we both know how very flawed this system can be. She needs to get all of the resources she can get and utilize them. I hope this is over quite quickly. It may also in a an inadvertent way help the boys start to control the parts of their own behaviour that they are capable of controlling. Maybe? I hope. What a sucky situation.

bgf1

Thanks for all the input/support.  At present she is stating the kids are not allowed to be taken out of the province for any temporary custody/fostering arrangements.  As she is in AB and I am in ON (along with all of our family) that doesn't appear to be an option.  I will continue to try to support her and definitely try to get more of the story as I feel like some pieces are definitely missing.  It was also good to here of those who have lost custody and regained it again.  Thanks again.

mommyof4boys

There's some funky stuff going on with CPS in Canada.  There was a girl removed from her home over a year ago to "help her overwhelmed father" because he is a stay at home dad of 3 kids, 2 with moderate autism.  I'm sorry your sister is being put through thisl