Family battling Children’s Hospital to bring teen home for Christmas

[Donjeta]

Polanowicz implies that Justina is recovering:

"We are confident that we have found the right pathway for Justina to return home as soon as possible so she can continue her strong recovery in Connecticut," Polanowicz wrote. "This is an important step forward in an extremely complex situation. We all want Justina to return soon, and this plan provides a road map to make this happen."

Read more: http://www.wcvb.com/news/teen-in-st...ttle-to-return-to-conn/25817094#ixzz30rdp19bh

 

[MyBelle]

http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/25...ails-reunification-plan-for-justina-pelletier

In the letter, Polanowicz outlines a four-step plan state officials shared with the Pelletier family earlier in the day.

According to Polanowicz, Justina will be moved to the JRI Susan Wayne Center for Excellence in Thompson, Conn. next week. He says DCF will support the return of custody to Justina's parents once they've met four conditions. The conditions include attending visits with Justina at JRI, following through with the Tufts Medical Center care plan, participating in family therapy, and meeting with DCF to review progress.

Read more: http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/25...tion-plan-for-justina-pelletier#ixzz30rbkiLxL

Thanks for posting the link. It sounds like a good plan with Justina the focus. Let's hope her family turns their attention away from the cameras and on to her.

 

[CHICANA]

The power of the governor to grant pardons, executive clemency, is found in the state constitution. Is there a section or amendment of the state constitution that grants the governor the power to return children taken into state care due to abuse or neglect to their abusive/neglectful families?

An elected official, governor, president, whomever can't just do what they want. There has to be a legal basis for their action.

In Missouri, the governor is the head of social services. I don't know if he can make them give kids back, I think it's in the hands of the court. Do you remember that when they took the LDS kids in Texas, the governor approved the raid ?

 

[CHICANA]

Thanks for posting the link. It sounds like a good plan with Justina the focus. Let's hope her family turns their attention away from the cameras and on to her.

But unless her parents are a danger to her, they could follow the plan with Justina at home.

 

[MyBelle]

In Missouri, the governor is the head of social services. I don't know if he can make them give kids back, I think it's in the hands of the court. Do you remember that when they took the LDS kids in Texas, the governor approved the raid ?

MA has said the custody decision for Justina is in the hands of the Judge.

 

[Gardenlady]

In Missouri, the governor is the head of social services. I don't know if he can make them give kids back, I think it's in the hands of the court. Do you remember that when they took the LDS kids in Texas, the governor approved the raid ?

With respect, Texas is a far different state to Mass. But even if all is the same, there's a diffence between approving an LE raid where criminal abuse of children was taking place, and ordering the return of a girl whose case has been substantiated through the court. Like the decision or not, it was a lawful decision made by the court. For the governor to just release her would not only be unlawful (he doesn't have the power), but it would be a be overstep for the executive branch to step on the toes of the judicial.

 

[MyBelle]

Polanowicz implies that Justina is recovering:



Read more: http://www.wcvb.com/news/teen-in-st...ttle-to-return-to-conn/25817094#ixzz30rdp19bh

This sounds like a wonderful program. In fact, I wish my state had something similar to it. We've got a real problem and lack of programs for mentally ill young people.

Justice Resource Institute (JRI) is dedicated to addressing the most confounding challenges of both the human services and educational systems and the persons and families these systems were created to serve.

http://jri.org/about

 

[Gardenlady]

They sound a lot like Wayside, where Justina is now. I wonder if, once she is transferred to the CT facility, we will continue to hear that Justina is being deprived of her right to an education?

 

[MyBelle]

They sound a lot like Wayside, where Justina is now. I wonder if, once she is transferred to the CT facility, we will continue to hear that Justina is being deprived of her right to an education?

I think it will fade rather quickly. The groups and people who funded the circus will regroup and set up shop in some other town. I think they've worn their welcome in MA.

 

[Donjeta]

Polanowicz told reporters that Pelletier’s parents are not happy with the state’s plan, since they wanted Justina to return home with them immediately.

Still, Polanowicz said that, if the family follows the plan and Justina shows progress, DCF could return custody of the girl to her parents soon, perhaps within a month. He said the reunification plan incorporates aspects of a plan that had been proposed by the Pelletiers and their lawyer. Any transfer would have to be approved by a judge.


“We believe on this pathway we do have the fastest mechanism to ultimately get Justina home,” Polanowicz said after meeting with Justina’s parents for two hours.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/20...IEmdFQArXPedv3lMb6N/story.html?rss_id=Top-GNP

http://c.o0bg.com/rw/Boston/2011-2020/2014/05/05/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Graphics/justina-letter.pdf

 

[Donjeta]

Eh... not so fast...

It was a good plan, while it lasted:

http://www.courant.com/community/we...elletier-update-0506-20140505,0,5149241.story

But in an afternoon press conference, Justina's father said the family is rejecting the plan, and accused the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families of "brutalizing and torturing" Justina.

"We're not going to let her go back into harm's way," Lou Pelletier said outside the Massachusetts State House. "She's been tortured enough."

It starts to sound like they really don't want her home.

 

[octobermoon]

Eh... not so fast...

It was a good plan, while it lasted:

http://www.courant.com/community/we...elletier-update-0506-20140505,0,5149241.story


It starts to sound like they really don't want her home.

Wow. Just won't cooperate.

 

[Donjeta]

You'd think that if they really thought that Justina was sexually harassed at Wayside, they'd jump at anything that would get her out of there.

 

[octobermoon]

You'd think that if they really thought that Justina was sexually harassed at Wayside, they'd jump at anything that would get her out of there.

And the fact that they don't says a lot. imo

 

[MyBelle]

Eh... not so fast...

It was a good plan, while it lasted:

http://www.courant.com/community/we...elletier-update-0506-20140505,0,5149241.story


It starts to sound like they really don't want her home.

I've been of the opinion they really don't want her home for quite some time.

I also think she will still be moved to the CT facility.

 

[Gardenlady]

Good grief.

 

[i.b.nora]

I don't get it.

 

[Gardenlady]

I don't get it.

I really believe that, whether he knows it or not, Justina, and Lou have become caught up in something much bigger than just Justina's situation. With all the various circus acts, political groups, hangers-on, etc. this has become a much bigger cause than "just" Justina. I think Lou is being counseled and convinced to not work on ANY plan to get Justina home. Because then the opportunity to push their agenda goes away for all these groups. I really think they've convinced him on this. And I think he likes the attention too.

Unfortunately it is Justina who suffers due to it all. On the upside, at least she will continue to get the psychological and medical care she needs.

 

[MyBelle]

I don't get it.

That's because we're not used to the guys wearing the white hats being the State. Usually we're all discussing this agency or that or our justice system that has failed to do its job and protect the child.

It's refreshing to see so many professionals in the private and public sector come together to protect Justina from her dysfunctional family.

JMO

 

[Donjeta]

Her family rejects the plan and say they want a guarantee Justina will be home by her 16th birthday, May 24.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...6ed342-d484-11e3-8f7d-7786660fff7c_story.html

But in an afternoon press conference, Justina's father said the family is rejecting the plan, and said the media received Polanowicz's letter before they and their lawyers had a chance to read it.

Lou Pelletier, speaking in front of the Massachusetts State House, said the family would prefer Justina be housed in a "rehab-type" facility because they feel she doesn't have behavioral problems, only medical problems.

The family's goal is to have her moved to a rehabilitation facility in Connecticut by the end of the month, Pelletier said.

http://www.courant.com/community/we...elletier-update-0506-20140505,0,5149241.story