You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 5:59 a.m.

6 children removed from deteriorating home after 29 investigations by child protective services

By Tom Perkins

Six children are in the custody of Washtenaw County Child Protective Services after the agency was called to a deteriorating Ypsilanti Township home on 29 occasions throughout the past two years.

The children ranged in age from 4 to 14 years old.

Child welfare investigators also tipped off Ypsilanti Township authorities to the poor condition of the home, which has a multitude of code violations.

Police have been called to the home on 45 occasions since 2011 to investigate reports including family trouble and criminal sexual conduct.

Washtenaw County CPS supervisors declined to comment for this story, and a State of Michigan Department of Human Services representative did not return calls seeking more information about the child welfare investigation.

Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office spokesman Derrick Jackson said he didn't know why it took so long for the children to be removed from the house, adding that it was a decision for CPS. He said 24 of 29 investigations into complaints there were "unfounded."

"I don’t know the full extent of investigations," Jackson said.

Jackson did confirm that a man living in the home at one time had been convicted of criminal sexual conduct for a sexual assault involving a child.

Jackson said no charges have been brought against the mother of the children. She declined to comment when an AnnArbor.com reporter knocked on the door last week.

AnnArbor.com is not publishing the address of the home or the name of the mother to protect the identity of the children.

Conditions at the home came to the attention of township officials on March 12, when CPS, conducting a child welfare investigation, alerted township building officials to the decaying home.

Among other issues at the house are dangerous electrical wiring, animal feces on the floor, a deteriorating floor, trash strewn about the house, a crack through the wall letting in outside light, a collapsing roof on the attached carport, rotting food and more. The entire basement floor is covered in several inches of rubble.

The township condemned the home the following day and filed for an emergency hearing in Washtenaw County Circuit Court seeking a temporary restraining order prohibiting anyone from entering the property.

That restraining order was granted on March 19, and the township will next have a hearing seeking a permanent injunction and an order to bring the home up to code or demolish it.

Officials say they have information that the children's mother continues to occupy the home. Ypsilanti Township Building Director Ron Fulton said the woman's parents own the home, though they haven't seen it in three years.

A trash receptacle filled with debris sat on the home's driveway last week. Fulton said the debris filling the receptacle is from the basement and the rest of the of the house hadn't yet been cleared.

"They have made progress and we are always pleased to see when someone is taking a situation seriously," Fulton said, adding that structural issues would have to be addressed once the house was cleared of trash and debris.

Tom Perkins is a freelance reporter. Contact the AnnArbor.com news desk at news@annarbor.com.

Comments

someone who cares

Mon, Apr 1, 2013 : 4:49 a.m.

Well i'm glad the kids are finely be taken care of. I have watched them live animals for at 3 to 4 years. Not being clean, running around wild, not being taken care of.And not going to school . It was so sad watching this go on , Neighbors , schools did try to help,but mom would just get mad for them helping. And about money she was getting help from the state, and neighbors, the schools, churches. She just let things go half the time she did not know where the kids where. When your 2 year old is out walking the street with no clothes on and you live 3 houses for a railroad tracks,and you don't know shes out.. Sorry that is sad.. Poor baby.. And your kids that are school age miss weeks at a time , or when they are there they have head lice all the time, she even shaved her 2nd graders head because she did not want to deal with, I guess it was to much work! Well I guess you should have thought of that before you had 6 kids, if you where not will to take care of them. Your kids should always come 1st.. About the house if your not working and the state is giving you all this money you can at least clean your house, and take care of your kids.... And for who ever think the kids should not have been taken from the mom , you should have lived in the neighborhood, it would have changed your mind... Thanks for putting these kids in a better place. So now they will know how kids should be taken care of......I really don't know why it took this long..

mpope

Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 6:58 p.m.

the home was definitely unfit. was the mother? to my thinking, two factors weighing against her fitness as a parent are the calamitous conditions of the house and the sex offender living there-- or did he used to live there? (it seems faulty punctuation leaves us with a "time to eat grandma" puzzle.) but. even after 29 calls,it appears this woman wasn't given resources to help her improve her situation BEFORE her children were removed. if the cost of response/ investigation of calls 5 through 29 had been applied to helping her, that may have been money better spent. but publishing the photos BEFORE any charges are filed? i disagree entirely. publicizing the content of these photos to satisfy this readership's entitlement-to-entertainment-in-the-guise-of-civil-concern makes a2.com look like a dysfunction-porn reality tv show.

windjmar

Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 6:29 a.m.

@another -- among the devastating changes in the 2012 Michigan Income tax, MI Republicans removed the $600 exemption for children 18 and under; reduced the Earned Income Credit from 20 percent to 6 percent and among the non-refundable credits no longer allowed are public contributions, contributions to homeless shelters, food banks and community foundations ... . Now that is a government we do not need -- the rich getting richer and the poor sinking further and further into debt. In other cultures people live in trees. Sometimes we get into situations where one becomes so despondent that it takes a community of people to help pull us out of the rut. Let's not condemn this mother, but rather help and teach her and care for her children until she is able to. It's easy to condemn others when you are sitting comfortably in your living room with money and had parents that were able to raise you "comfortably". But the poor without work and support have little else to do then procreate and that is all they have is their children. Although it can be dangerous, we that are able must venture out of our nests and help those in need -- donating money to good causes is no longer an option because you won't get the tax deduction. Right on you GD Republicans!

Sue

Mon, Apr 1, 2013 : 5:28 a.m.

Perhaps she should have her tubes tied, at taxpayers expense, of course. Nobody is forcing her to get pregnant by men who don't wish to marry her or support her or their children, so why should anyone feel obligated to help her, financially or otherwise? Our income is being taxed to the max as it is to pay for people like her and their broods of children, the least she should do is keep her house clean enough to live in. GD bleeding heart liberals can't expect anyone to be accountable for their own actions because it's always easier to just blame the rich, aka, those who have worked hard for their money and everything they have and are already paying a high percentage of what they make to support people like this woman, and her child molesting boyfriend who was also reaping the benefits of her children's welfare benefits/"entitlements".

walker101

Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 11:53 a.m.

I guess welfare, food stamps,housing assistance, EBT cards, medical services,clothing and all the other benefits she is able to receive along with any possible child support from more than one father if she knows who they are is probably better off than most. Anyone having 6 children single in this country and living off welfare is far better than most minimum wage working couples, my wife worked in soctal services for 20 years she can attest that someone like this mother is not really that bad off. I guess giving her more like maybe providing her a cleaning service, a new home along with a nice vehicle and child are expenses at the expense of those of us that are working is your remedy, and the democratic way, no wonder this country is in the bind its in.

a2citizen

Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 8:45 a.m.

Do you actually know if the mother has an income at a level that would be affected by the income tax changes? Somehow I don't think she does.

brian

Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:37 a.m.

Disgusting. That's all I have to say.

walker101

Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 12:13 a.m.

Glad to know our tax dollars are being spent on highly qualified child investigators, just to think that now I can rest assured they are on top of this without worry.

rosewater

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 9:54 p.m.

absolutely no excuse for living in a hovel - you may not have any money BUT you can keep things clean, picked up and organized which doesn't cost anything!

pbehjatnia

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 7:09 p.m.

29! Investigations! 45! Calls! Since 2011!!!!! Somebody needs to lose their job. No, actually several sombodies need to lose their jobs. Immediately.

Cendra Lynn

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 5:52 p.m.

Just don't come to my house when I've been ill! A2Sun is right - the photos show nothing that warrants such reactions. Handles off cupboard doors???? Wow. Poop on the floor? It was one accident. Those can happen daily with young or ageing pets. Kids clothes on the bathroom floor? What's your point?? The skylight leak did not look horrific and the open ceiling is only an electrical hazard if someone climbs up there and tries to remove wires. A pan with liquid on a stove top that isn't ready for a Mr. Clean commercial? Spare me. Probably most readers have help with housekeeping and money for supplies and time to do it. A single mom with six kids who is poor? Forget it. Who offered to help with house repair? Who offered to come help clean and clear? I know highly respected people in this town whose houses are disasters by my standards. The photos show only housekeeping problems, unlike the story that identifies real concerns. Adding these photos shows discrimination bias, is highly judgemental, and clearly put here to make the family seem low-down and even disgusting. There is no attempt to try on the mother's shoes, let alone walk in them. I find that bias much worse than a messy house. Houses can be cleaned and repaired. People's minds are hard to fix when prejudiced.

Tom Perkins

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 7:12 p.m.

A Washtenaw County Circuit Court judge had a different opinion than you. He issued a temporary restraining order barring anyone from entering the home unless they were there to address code violations. Judge's don't issue restraining orders like that unless there are real and serious threats to safety and health. But, as the story also mentioned, the mother was making an effort to address those issues.

Tara Alhumdi

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 5:34 p.m.

About time. I hope her rights are permanently terminated. I've seen this pos in action. Disgraceful. Not worthy of being called a mother

Solitude

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 5:02 p.m.

Supercalifrag and Twanders, all that is political B.S. of the highest order. Children are immediately removed from situations that present obvious danger and placed into foster care every day. Whole families can also be removed and placed in hotels, etc. Regardless of the eventual findings as to the fitness of the parents or other adults in this case, the home is OBVIOUSLY no place for children, or anyone else of any age. It OBVIOUSLY did not get that way overnight, and anyone from CPS or law enforcement who saw kids in there and didn't take immediate steps to keep them from spending another night there should be fired and then prosecuted for dereliction of duty. I have an intimate knowledge of the workings of the justice system, and I've seen kids rescued from situations better than this one with nothing more than a couple of pictures placed in front of a judge.

Solitude

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 9:16 p.m.

As I posted above, it's just as likely that the 14 year old is thrilled that FINALLY some adult is coming to help him or her and the rest of those kids. If the 14 yr. old is online reading the paper and sees these pictures, he/she is undoubtedly intelligent enough to take note of the fact that neither the address or the family names are published. It's also just as likely that having CPS and other adults with authority there time and after time after time and do nothing to help "really hurts" much more.

supercalifrag

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 6:07 p.m.

If you read and comprehended my comments, you would find that I stated the conditions of the home were deplorable amongst other support for the children being removed from the home. What I object to is the posting of the pictures online for all to see. That is insensitive and incites needless judgment, and criticism. I feel bad for the 14 year old who is at a critical time in life where this stuff really hurts, and posting the pics online is like throwing salt on an open wound. What I am advocating for is sensitivity to the situation by AA.com and commenters. Obviously what sells for aa.com is shocking stories that hurt actual people. Way to go guys.

community1

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 4:20 p.m.

This house has code violations. This house is disgusting and imaging the diseases that are growing here. Yes we need to see these pictures, without the photos, I would not have even imagined the amount of filt these kids are forced to live in day to day. Children should be kept clean and living in an organized environment. When is the last time they went to the doctor or dentist, are they attending school regularly. This is more than a dirty house this is simply neglect in so many areas. I am so greatful they removed these children.

mpope

Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 6:51 p.m.

" Yes we need to see these pictures, without the photos, I would not have even imagined the amount of filt these kids are forced to live in day to day." what possible difference could it make to these children's outcome if you can "imagine" the conditions of their home, or not?

JRW

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 4:18 p.m.

45 + 29 = way too many visits before action was taken. The person or persons responsible for letting this situation go on this long needs to be fired.

Ed Anderson

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 4:09 p.m.

Most Washtenaw County citizens are unaware of the fact that CPS in our County is a joke. It is a dysfunctional organizational culture. They are inefficient, poorly managed, inflexible, bureaucratic, hostile and lazy -- with work loads and decisions tailored to burned out union employees who don't want to work very hard and would prefer to blame children and teens for thier abuse. Completely useless and incompetent. If they were a for-profit company doing some other kind of work with these same practices they would have gone out of business a long time ago. Children are left totally unprotected. Other counties are run much better. Even Jackson County CPS with their high case loads and extensive community poverty is a shining gem in comparison. Other states provide innovative prevention services. Michigan is near the top of the list for child abuse and neglect. Unfortunately the organization has no transparency and is able to hide behind confidentiality laws so CAN'T BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. The children are victims of parental neglect and state neglect. It is up to all of us to protect the innocent and the vulnerable. We never see stories like this, but I am glad this one was covered. Thank you, Tom.

Solitude

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 5:07 p.m.

Not every Washtenaw County CPS worker is lazy or incompent, but you are exactly correct about the culture and the politics that are routinely given more attention that the kids the system is supposed to serve. Anyone who would vote your comment down either works for Washtenaw County or doesn't know anything at all about the situation. Michigan is recognized nationally for its abysmal child protection record. This is fact.

glimmertwin

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 3:57 p.m.

That's 26 more times than it should have taken to get them removed.

beverly

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 3:12 p.m.

its not the police that failed it is cps the should have had a court order to get the kids out now the kids are all messed up and no one cares the just worry about why someone didn't do something sooner little to late if you ask me may god help the kids get through this

G-Man

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 2:37 p.m.

The way i read it the sex offender still lives there "Jackson did confirm that a man living in the home at one time had been convicted of criminal sexual conduct for a sexual assault involving a child." In other words: The man is living in the home and had the prior conviction. It doesn't say the man lived in the home at one time...... Perhaps if the story was written with the proper punctuation it would read differently.... As, does the comma come after the word "home"? or after the word "time"? I read it as after the word home, because what relevance to the story would it have to tell about someone that used to live there (Whether a pedophile or not)?

kuriooo

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 2:15 p.m.

I just want to say "THANK YOU" all police officers and social workers who give their time daily to investigate complaints. I'd especially like to thank the case worker(s) involved - it's an incredibly challenging job where often times "doing the right thing" means that you often are the bad guy. If you look at the dates of the photos, they are not "all at one time" meaning that multiple warnings and conversations occurred about the state of things over a long period of time. I hope the children and the adults are able to get the support they need.

Tara Alhumdi

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 5:38 p.m.

These kids have been in immediate danger the last three years or more. A baby playing in railroad tracks unattended??? Kids with Luce every other week and no food to eat when she gets hundreds in welfare each month?? CPS did a HORRIBLE JOB with this case. Those poor kids were forced to live in filth because nobody was willing to advocate for them except the neighbors that fed them and served as supervision when the baby was left to wander the streets. It's a miracle she made it to 4.

kuriooo

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 2:22 p.m.

My apologies - I was wrong about the dates on the pics being spread out. Nevertheless, social workers don't just "swoop down and grab kids" unless there is immediate danger. It is likely this condition persisted over a period of time.

Goofus

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 2:14 p.m.

A2dotcom's bizarro and 100% arbitrary "photo policy" strikes again...why does a2dotcom never seem to care about posting mugshots of perpetrators of many petty crimes locally...especially those of minority assailants...nor care about the reflection of those shots on possible children those assailants might have...but here, in this case, oooooooooooh noooooooo.

mpope

Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 1:56 a.m.

Mr. Feldscher, these photos shouldn't have been published. no charges have been filed. the family's right to privacy should extend to the content of these photos. annarbor.com looks like a reality tv show in this story-- -- providing dysfunction-porn for your readerships' entertainment/ entitlement appetites.

Kyle Feldscher

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 2:58 p.m.

Goofus- As stated in the story, we're not publishing the names of people involved in this in order to protect the identity of the children, at least one of whom is a victim of a sex crime. Publishing this man's photo would have the same effect as identifying the children. We do not publish the names of people who the victims of sex crimes and we do our best to avoid identifying them in stories.

UncleMao

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 1:31 p.m.

Another case of the Nanny State trying to tell us how to raise our kids.

stevek

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 7:33 p.m.

If you live like this, then you need somebody to tell you how to raise your kids.

supercalifrag

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 1:02 p.m.

While I agree that the conditions are deplorable, I am upset that AA.com would publish those photos. Transparency has gone too far when the inside of someone's home is photo documented and presented to the community. I see this as a blatant invasion of privacy. It is enough that this family has had their children taken from them. Obviously they are in need of help in many areas, but is it necessary to broadcast their problems to the community? Leave the details to the CPS workers. Everyone has problems - is the next step to start broadcasting every CPS case to the community? Unfortunately the comments section is only filled with negative comments and outrage that sometimes leads to violence, all of which is unnecessary and punishes those that need the help the most. AA.com - please be responsible with how you use your media opportunities.

mpope

Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 1:49 a.m.

the home was definitely unfit. was the mother? to my thinking, two factors weighing against her fitness as a parent are the calamitous conditions of the house and the sex offender living there-- or did he used to live there? (it seems faulty punctuation leaves us with a "time to eat grandma" puzzle.) but. even after 29 calls,it appears this woman wasn't given resources to help her improve her situation BEFORE her children were removed. if the cost of response/ investigation of calls 5 through 29 had been applied to helping her, that may have been money better spent. but publishing the photos BEFORE any charges are filed? that the annarbor.com readership feel entitled to this information? i disagree entirely.

Solitude

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 9:08 p.m.

"...just as possible...," not ""possibly."

Solitude

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 9:07 p.m.

You give up your right to privacy when you endanger children. Period. You say children might be embarrassed at having their living conditions displayed for the public to see, and that is true; they might. It's just as possibly, however, and maybe even likely, that they, especially the older ones, are more embarrassed, not to mention depressed and many other painful emotions, at having to live like that, and having adult after adult after adult witness their suffering and do NOTHING. Can you imagine what it would be like for an otherwise normal pre-teen or teenager to be stuck there, to have hope every time an alleged "professional" with power to help them comes there that maybe they will finally be out of that mess, and then nothing changes?

supercalifrag

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 6:20 p.m.

@Solitude - Yes, I do object to graphic photos of crime scenes, and I object to invasion of privacy and cruel and unusual punishment. Also, I don't claim to know every detail of this case, as so many commenters seem to know everything about every CPS case and every law - the knowledge astounds me, really. I am just asking for a little mercy for this family, which includes the children who's home is being scrutinized with a fine tooth comb. That's what these kids called home for a long time, regardless if we deem it acceptable or not. Kids are people too, and they might feel a little ashamed if their living conditions were plastered all over the internet. Yes, something needs to be done about the situation. But, some people have no shame in ripping apart other people's lives. How many people would like someone to post photos of their home for the whole community to gawk at and comment about? This is insensitive, and I am just asking for aa.com to use a little wisdom in how they share a story.

Solitude

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 5:44 p.m.

Supercalifrag, stop making excuses for the failure of adults to do right by children. You also continue to equate removing the children from that filth with removing them from their parents. They are not one in the same. The entire family could have been relocated from that house as a separate action, completely independent of any decision as to the fitness of the parents. You make it sound like the parents had to be adjudicated as unfit before something could be about the living conditions, which is just false. There is no excuse acceptable for CPS having allowed the children to remain in that house, with or without the parents, and most especially not excuses about case load and understaffing.

Solitude

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 5:38 p.m.

Those photos are of a garbage dump, not a "home" by any definition, and the fact that children were forced to live there make the structure a crime scene, as well. Do you object to photos of other crime scenes? People need to see what is going on in their communities. Reality is often stark and difficult to look at, but it's still reality and people should not be allowed to pretend it doesn't exist. If children, who have no control over their situations, are involved, then no amount of "transparency" is too much. If there were no children involved, it might be a different story.

supercalifrag

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 1:42 p.m.

@ Lezee - Choose your words carefully - CPS is overburdened, understaffed, and their hands are legally tied a lot of the time because of the laws that make it difficult to remove children from their parents. It is not as clear cut as the article proposes, and judgments are often made by the public that are not relevant to the case at hand. We will never know all the details because we aren't privy to the entire case - thank goodness! Because of that, I think it is an invasion of privacy to show the insides of someones home affiliated with a child neglect/abuse case. They have enough problems. Would you like someone to photograph the inside of your home and broadcast it for all to see when it isn't in the best state of cleanliness, let alone if you have somehow done something wrong and your children have been taken from you? I am sure you have places in your home that you are not ready to show the world, and yet these people had their children removed and AA.com has shown this family's personal habitat to the world. I think that is a little cruel and unusual, personally. Yes, they need help. Let's just not take "justice" to the extreme - I am asking them to show a little mercy at a sensitive time for this family.

leezee

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 1:15 p.m.

Perhaps the photos and the outcry due to them will cause CPS to act faster next time?

sunA2

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 12:49 p.m.

This story raises questions. These photographs are ridiculous if they are being presented as cause for students to be removed from their home and their mother. The fact that there are kids clothes on the floor of a bathroom? the picture on the 'hazard' on the ceiling, which shows loving care going into decorating walls with hearts? an animal pooped in the house (how many pet owners has this happened to? this is 'evidence' of why a child should be removed from their home? The stove-top that isn't so clean? Evidence of (frankly speaking, minimal) damage to window area from some water? It looks more like the mother is being blamed and punished for .... being poor. Not having money to fix deterioration or water damage to her home. And for things being a little dirty, unkempt. There is no evidence in the article that anything inappropriate sexual took place -- a man who had a record as a sexual offender USED TO live in the house, no indication that anything happened to these children. Of course perhaps there is more to the story than what is written in the story, I have to assume so. And it's not clear how or why 29 visits from CPS happened -- who called, what were the reasons. That would perhaps give more indication of why it is indeed better for these children to not be in this home, and to be placed under Child Protective Services. But to read what looks like condemnation of this woman, and readers' comments condemning ...someone's messy bathroom, their poverty, seems to me rather heartless and judgmental.

rosy12

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 5:59 p.m.

The house was condemned. That means its not safe to live in. They had the children living in a place that is not safe, sound, clean or sanitary. So thankfully they FINALLY removed them.

Solitude

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 5:50 p.m.

"It looks more like the mother is being blamed and punished for .... being poor. Not having money to fix deterioration or water damage to her home. And for things being a little dirty, unkempt." Please. No one is being punished for being poor. Poverty has zero to do with this situation. It doesn't take money to scrape up what was obviously weeks-old animal feces off the floor. It doesn't take money to at least clear a path on bathroom floor to the sink and toilet, or to sweep up piles of dirt and garbage off any of the floors in the pictures.

music to my ear

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 4:58 p.m.

alot of people grow up poor .I sure did ,but I will tell you our home didnt look worse than a pig pen, and my mom didnt share quarters with a sex offender.this situation here, NO EXCUSES.

G-Man

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 2:32 p.m.

Either you miss-read the article or the A2 miss-wrote it, but the way i read it the sex offender still lives there "Jackson did confirm that a man living in the home at one time had been convicted of criminal sexual conduct for a sexual assault involving a child." In other words: The man is living in the home and had the prior conviction. It doesn't say the man lived in the home at one time...... Perhaps if the story was written with the proper punctuation it would read differently....

Billy

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 2:14 p.m.

Wow....just....wow..... You are making excuses for them left and right.....none of which are valid...

G-Man

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 12:47 p.m.

Between Police and CPS being there 74 times and why now is something actually being done? The first 5 or 10 visits weren't enough? Shouldn't be too hard to find the place, as i suspect the outside likely looks like the inside. The sex offender should be on the State list. Apparently there are no laws that a convicted pedophile can live in a house with more children? How long is the dumpster going to set in the drive?

Joslyn at the U

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 12:45 p.m.

Wow

Paul

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 12:30 p.m.

I believe in Canada, you get $100 a month for each child to help raise the child. Plus there is childcare so you can go to work and not have to worry about paying for somebody to look after your child. Crime is lower up there also, so less needs to be spent on prisons for adults. Just saying, on to the discussions.

anotherannarborite

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 10:11 p.m.

I believe the Child Tax Credit coupled with the Earned Income Tax Credit for low and middle income families (both refundable credits) is equal to much more than $1200 per year per child. There is plenty plenty of government money to prop up poor families - go to NPR.org and read/listen to the week long series on Disability in American (AKA - welfare replacement in America). In my opinion we need higher wages and less supplementing of wages by the government.

Carole

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 12:30 p.m.

I pray for these children -- it seems as though it took much too long to remove them from a difficult situation. Please protect these youngster and help them to a better future. As for the mother and boy friend don't know what type of charges that could be brought against them, but something should be done.

Slim Jim

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 12:24 p.m.

Very sad situation, and it is very difficult to remove children so this is really a terrible case. My question is whether a convicted sex offender (child molester) is allowed to live with children? Is the child that he molested one that was living in this house? Please pray for these children, they will need lots of help.

halflight

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 3:33 p.m.

The answer to your question is generally "No." If someone is convicted of sexual abuse of a child, the sentence almost always requires them to stay away from children (the only exception I've seen is supervised visits between a convicted parent and a non-victim child). Even after the convict's sentence is completed, a parent who knowingly permits a pedophile convict to have contact with children w/out any protective measures is looking at a case of neglect, even if the convict never touches the children. When such situations come to CPS' workers' attention, they will notify the parent of the convict's sex offender status, and tell them that permitting contact is likely neglect that could result in court supervision and/or removal of the children. Having worked with CPS in this county, I can tell you that they zero tolerance for parents who knowingly allow pedophiles unprotected contact with children. In this case, I imagine that CPS found out that the convicted pedophile was present in the home, and immediately required the custodial parent to remove the convict from the home, with a threat to remove the children if she didn't do so. If the parent complies in a timely fashion, the children remain in the home. Again, I'd guess that's what happened in this case.

OLDTIMER3

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 12:22 p.m.

How do we know she didn't ask for help and not get it? The the was convicted of abuse USED to live there.I would asume that man is locked up!

dading dont delete me bro

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 12:15 p.m.

that house has had a flood at one time. the 3' of drywall missing from the floor up is a giveaway

anotherannarborite

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 12:06 p.m.

From a foster parent point of view, thank you for proteccting the children's identity. Also, it is very very strict standards to remove children, as it should be.

snoopjane

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 12:02 p.m.

I would like to see more of why it took CPS 29 times before something was done. Is AA.com going to report on that?? Hope so since that seems to be the major problem here. Remember we as taxpayers are paying their salary!

Solitude

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 5:53 p.m.

The children DID NOT have to be removed from the mother for the entire family to have been relocated from that house.

supercalifrag

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 1:29 p.m.

@snoopjane - there is a lengthy process to alter parental rights, and thank goodness for that. The law must be balanced, so that means that someone can't call CPS just because they don't like you or they don't approve of your parenting styles, nor can a child be easily removed from a dangerous situation without enough proof that the situation is severe enough to warrant removal of the children. We live in a democracy not a dictatorship, so there are no easy answers to your question, and it always depends on a variety of factors. CPS workers have hard jobs; it is mentally and emotionally straining and stressful to see some of the situations that they see day after day, even for trained professionals. I appreciate their work.

clownfish

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 12:10 p.m.

Less government intrusion into the lives of citizens? Low funding levels? 24/29 were "unfounded"?

Bubba43

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : noon

Poor kids. Nobody deserves to live in those conditions.

Urban Sombrero

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 11:44 a.m.

CPS is useless and corrupt. I'm not going to post details, but I know someone who's ex husband molested their kids, had evidence (a LOT) against him, was investigated and all charges were dropped after he took the CPS officer out to breakfast and gave her "his side of the story". It's disgusting.

djm12652

Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:38 p.m.

@A2...dude, your condescension is howing

a2citizen

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 11:39 p.m.

A list of unfounded accusations: 1. CPS is useless and corrupt 2. "...ex husband molested their kids..." 3. "...all charges were dropped ..." Number 3 discredits your claim. A CPS officer does not have the authority to "drop charges". If charges were actually filed that would be the prosecutors decision. But I would think any decision to "drop charges" would also include the results the separate police investigation.

Urban Sombrero

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 9:28 p.m.

I'm not sure why my reply to a2citizen was deleted, yet his (obviously inflammatory) comment stands. But..... Unless you know the specifics of this case (which a2citizen DOES NOT), you need to NOT pass judgment. This is NOT a custody issue. The father in question has no desire to even see his kids now. So....ummmm....YEAH......NOT A CUSTODY ISSUE. AnnArbor.com.....your moderators are over zealous. I was defending my position. Most politely, if you want to know the truth. a2citizen is the one throwing around unfounded accusations. I stand by my original post. CPS is ineffective. They are, if not corrupt then, easily swayed. That's my final word on this. If annarbor.com deletes this, I'll know they're in CPS's pocket.

a2citizen

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 12:15 p.m.

I'm sure that's not the first time a CPS officer heard an ex-wife accuse a husband of molesting kids for custodial reasons.

vintagetimes4me

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 11:36 a.m.

25x to many. How many times must one family be called on before action is taken?

Craig Lounsbury

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 11:27 a.m.

I pray good things for these children. Reading the story it seems like CPS jumping in was the right thing to do and overdue. But I also pray these kids aren't jumping from the pot to the fire with CPS. IMO CPS is not exactly a well oiled machine that "gets it right" nearly as often as they should.

tinkerbell

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 6:28 p.m.

Unfotunately, the social workers have to deal with what they have. Limited resources such as foster homes and difficult judges

breadman

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 11:09 a.m.

29 times! way to many times for a children to live like that. And why did the Mother not reach out for help?

Dan r OBryan

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 10:13 p.m.

the mother didnt care!

music to my ear

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 10:44 a.m.

wow 29 times if the state goes in there at least 5 times shouldnt a red flag go up, and to leave kids in the same house as a sex offender. lordy the state needs to step it up a bit and get on the ball . DO YOUR JOB, in saying that I know state cut backs have hurt the ones who need help the most, ok cut something we really really do not need. people without means , do not have to live in filth that is a choice . tell that mother at her parent classes . DO YOUR JOB.

cinnabar7071

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 12:05 p.m.

Just don't buy your kid a lemonade at the ball park.

Alan Goldsmith

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 10:34 a.m.

"AnnArbor.com is not publishing the address of the home or the name of the mother to protect the identity of the children." I'm thinking we shouldn't "protect the identity' of anyone from the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office who investigated this and didn't find any issues when "called to the home on 45 occasions since 2011 to investigate reports including family trouble and criminal sexual conduct." No wonder everyone is refusing to comment.

jackson west

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 6:57 p.m.

@supercali- CPS and the Sheriffs department are a joke. The only people that defend them are people that work there or people that are married, related to, or personally involved with.

yourdad

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 2:21 p.m.

Alan, you are correct! If 24 of 29 were "unfounded" then at least 5 were "substantial". Whoever's name is on those should be investigated by some type of internal affairs staff. Law enforcement only has the ability to remove children in an emergency situation. But CPS has much more latitude.

Twanders

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 2:16 p.m.

The sheriffs don't decide whether children are removed. The sheriffs have a duty to report to CPS, but CPS ultimately has the job of determining whether the children should be removed from care. Then the courts have to grant this. It is a lengthy process and there are many things that have to be done, you can't just go in and remove children without going through this process. It can certainly be frustrating and difficult to understand for those who do not have firsthand knowledge of the child welfare system.

supercalifrag

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 2:01 p.m.

@ Alan Goldsmith - The Sheriff's Office and CPS are doing their jobs - that is why there were several investigations instead of zero investigations. Please remember that they start the process, but because we live in a democracy, removing someone's children from them is a lengthy process that has many factors - it isn't easy to do, and these aren't the only people involved in the process. There is a bigger picture here that you don't see and it is really unfair and ignorant to blame the front lines for the work that they don't have control over behind the scenes.

Jim Pryce

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 1:53 p.m.

To buildergirl: I believe Alan Goldsmith is saying we shouldn't protect the identity of the persons who investigated this when called to the home on 45 occasions.

buildergirl

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 12:58 p.m.

I wouldn't argue that there are some serious questions that need answering here. However the children have been through enough don't you think? Publishing their address and mother's name will only cause them more problems in school with their peers.