AR - Fully-Armed Sheriffs Remove 7 Homeschool Children from 'Prepper' Family

[SStarr33]

But who is "they"? I can possibly buy the argument that the DA may have wanted to save face and justify their extreme firepower. But DHS? And the judge who is elected? Nah.

Not sure what all the judge has been told. And someone said on here earlier that DHS is not supporting the actions of the Sheriff. I would like to read what that is all about.

 

[Morag]

Here's a link to an interview with the parents and another man- I haven't listened to the whole thing-which had a very odd comment from the mother: (pretty much verbatim, as best as I could transcribe:

"Back in the olden days, when a man was beating on his wife, three grown men would go and face that man with what he was doing, but now you have to go to the authorities."

http://medicalkidnap.com/2015/01/18...use-father-had-unapproved-mineral-supplement/

ETA: She seemed very hostile toward her older children.

 

[SStarr33]

Here's a link to an interview with the parents and another man- I haven't listened to the whole thing-which had a very odd comment from the mother: (pretty much verbatim, as best as I could transcribe:



http://medicalkidnap.com/2015/01/18...use-father-had-unapproved-mineral-supplement/

ETA: She seemed very hostile toward her older children.

Thanks for posting. They sound fine to me. And their neighbor who is vouching for them is a retired school teacher who has known them for 15 years.

And the dad is a vet. This is just unbelievable.

Here's another link to the interview in case that one get's removed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNzJUdeEoA4#t=426

 

[tlcya]

Thanks for posting. They sound fine to me. And their neighbor who is vouching for them is a retired school teacher who has known them for 15 years.

And the dad is a vet. This is just unbelievable.

Here's another link to the interview in case that one get's removed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNzJUdeEoA4#t=426

Thanks for the link. Watching now. Has anyone seen the search warrant the father references several times within the first 2 minutes? Also within these first 2 minutes he relates that he and his wife were kept outdoors in the cold for two and then three hours.

Back to watching the interviews/statements

 

[tlcya]

Boy I wish Mr. Stanley had named the medical doctor on scene that he states at 2:08n who said all the children were in good health unharmed etc and so forth. If I felt I was being railroaded or my rights violated I would for sure have the name of every person involved as well as the name of their direct supervisor. Shrug, but that's just me.

 

[gitana1]

Not sure what all the judge has been told. And someone said on here earlier that DHS is not supporting the actions of the Sheriff. I would like to read what that is all about.

Well, people can say whatever they want but that doesn't make it true. As I stated previously, citing to a site that explains the process, it is DHS who investigates after LE decides to remove the children, it is DHS who must file the ex parte requesting a 72 hour removal and it is DHS who requests a probable cause hearing. Not LE. Again:

Here's the process in Arkansas for removal.

1. Determine if it is a priority I or II case, which depends on the severity of the maltreatment alleged. If it is a priority
I case, a special child abuse unit of the State police investigates. If it is a priority II case, DCFS investigates.
2. In priority I cases, if the police determine that the abuse is severe and the children should be removed, then DHHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, must do a health and safety assessment to determine if the child can safely remain in the home. If the child is determined to be at risk of severe maltreatment, the
agency shall take a 72 hour hold on the child as a prerequisite to the filing of a petition in juvenile court pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 12-12-516.
This protective custody can also be taken by law enforcement, a juvenile division of circuit court judge in a juvenile proceeding, a hospital administrator or treating physician but if this protective custody is initiated, DHHS shall
be notified immediately so that the proper procedure for attaining emergency custody can be
initiated timely (Ark. Code Ann. §12-12-516(c)). (That means DHHS must still conduct its investigation).

In priority II cases, DCFS determines whether the child can remian safely in the home. If it determines that the child cannot safely remain in the home, the 72 hour procedure is also followed. \

3. If DCFS believes it needs to continue to hold the child for more than 72 hours, DCFS must seek a court order, known as an ex parte emergency order (Ark. Code Ann. §9-27-314). An attorney ad litem shall be appointed when
the petition or emergency ex parte order is filed to represent the child’s best interest.
Parent counsel may also be appointed and indigency determined at the probable cause hearing.
Within five business days the court must conduct a probable cause hearing (Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-315) to determine if probable cause existed to protect the juvenile when DCFS removed the child; if it continues to exist; and if removal from the home is in the child’s best interest and is necessary to protect the child. If probable cause is found, the court will schedule a trial, known as the adjudication, to determine if the child is abused, neglected, or dependent (Ark. Code Ann. §9-27-303).http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...84349003,d.cGU

So, in this case, DCFS (DHS), not LE, is the one who had to authorize the 72 hour hold/removal pending an ex parte, emergency order, which was clearly granted by the court as the kids have remained in custody longer than 72 hours. And both DCFS and the court system have determined that a probable cause hearing is warranted.

Once the kids were removed by LE, it was out of their hands. DHS (DCFS) are the ones who have kept the kids from returning home. So it looks like they agreed with LE.

So we have three, separate agencies in agreement with whoever made the anonymous call - LE, DHS (DHHS/DCFS) and the court.

 

[tlcya]

At somewhere around the 13:00 min mark mom says that hearing of the the betrayal by the older kids, coupled with the information that their children had been enrolled in public school, was devastating. So you have anonymous allegations about vitamin supplements as referenced in search warrants according to the father at the 2 min mark, followed by the kids betraying them with unflattering untruths from mom at 13 minute mark.

Yep. So far still right here :fence: while leaning toward there is smoke there is fire.

 

[RaeL]

http://www.arkansasmatters.com/stor...e-son-of-stanley/21953/Bx31OC_C3kSuX3jK2uw4wA

I can't watch the video, but it looks to be the eldest son who is in college.

From the link:

A Garland County judge made the decision Thursday afternoon that there was enough probable cause to keep the children away from their parents.

Sources told KARK4's Josh Berry that credible testimony given in court by family members alleged physical abuse.

 

[gitana1]

Here's a link to an interview with the parents and another man- I haven't listened to the whole thing-which had a very odd comment from the mother: (pretty much verbatim, as best as I could transcribe:



http://medicalkidnap.com/2015/01/18...use-father-had-unapproved-mineral-supplement/

ETA: She seemed very hostile toward her older children.

You mean this statement?: "There’s all these allegations, and I know there are, and they are going to be examining us, and it is going to be very painful. I don’t want to get on that stand and testify against my children or have them testify against me. Because I know it will hurt.

Not knowing anything. Why? Of course I had started to form, because they had my two teenagers in their SUV for 5 hours. And they’re the worst ones to have in there. I’m going, 'oh no…'” http://medicalkidnap.com/2015/01/21...-in-arkansas-taken-by-authorities-speaks-out/

Here's another allegation, BTW, from the statement: "On a hot line, the lady read a report that all the kids were running around barefoot in the snow, inadequately dressed, and that my husband had slapped one in the face..."

The dad also says how anyone who "has teenager kids, you know that they can get confused by some things" and: "There's 7 children and to my knowledge, most of the evidence that they've taken is from one despondent teenager...maybe two...we want our children back."

Right after that he says something about how they believe in forgiveness and will make whatever it takes "adjustments" to give them the best home possible, they will do.

Hmm. Kind of sounds like a message to some of their kids.

Boy I wish Mr. Stanley had named the medical doctor on scene that he states at 2:08n who said all the children were in good health unharmed etc and so forth. If I felt I was being railroaded or my rights violated I would for sure have the name of every person involved as well as the name of their direct supervisor. Shrug, but that's just me.

Off topic but I just have to note how darn YOUNG the man looks. The dad looks very good for 73.

 

[tlcya]

You mean this statement?: "There’s all these allegations, and I know there are, and they are going to be examining us, and it is going to be very painful. I don’t want to get on that stand and testify against my children or have them testify against me. Because I know it will hurt.

Not knowing anything. Why? Of course I had started to form, because they had my two teenagers in their SUV for 5 hours. And they’re the worst ones to have in there. I’m going, 'oh no…'” http://medicalkidnap.com/2015/01/21...-in-arkansas-taken-by-authorities-speaks-out/

The dad also says how anyone who "has teenager kids, you know that they can get confused by some things" and: "There's 7 children and to my knowledge, most of the evidence that they've taken is from one despondent teenager...maybe two...we want our children back."

Here's another allegation, BTW, from the statement: "On a hot line, the lady read a report that all the kids were running around barefoot in the snow, inadequately dressed, and that my husband had slapped one in the face..."

Right after that he says something about how they believe in forgiveness and will make whatever it takes "adjustments" to give them the best home possible, they will do.

Hmm. Kind of sounds like a message to some of their kids.



Off topic but I just have to note how darn YOUNG the man looks. The dad looks very good for 73.

Thank you for highlighting all the smoke to be seen. And off topic IKR??

 

[gitana1]

Thank you for highlighting all the smoke to be seen. And off topic IKR??

One other thing - watching the mom, she eerily reminds me of my very mentally ill mother-in-law in her speech patterns, body language, facial expressions and mannerisms. My mother in law neglected and abused her kids (mostly emotional and not purposefully) - all of them, leading to us having to step in and try to help raise the kids.

Years later we now have one living with us because he can't function well and has nowhere to go, my 21 year old brother-in-law, who despite our efforts to help him, is like a former foster kid - going on 16, and needing much more care than he should at that age. That's another heartbreaking topic.

 

[SStarr33]

Off topic but I just have to note how darn YOUNG the man looks. The dad looks very good for 73.

Must be the MMS

 

[SStarr33]

Their oldest son seems like a great person. Great interview--thanks for posting.

 

[Sulamith]

The wife is 28 years younger lol. I did the math as soon as I saw their photo! He's 73, she's 45 and their youngest child is (I believe) 4 years old.

The elder daughter looks so much like the mom. All very good looking kids.

Another thought I had is the question of who reported them in the first place. The parents commented strongly on how they didn't like that it was possible for someone to anonymously report abuse. The article said that the abuse was reported by 2 adults in the community who know the family well. I seriously wonder if he suspects it was his 2 oldest college kids......

For a spit second I thought that Hal might be Michelle's father and they all shared a home. I watched their press video and I felt Michelle threw the teenagers under the bus. She was all over the place. MOO

 

[RaeL]

Well, people can say whatever they want but that doesn't make it true. As I stated previously, citing to a site that explains the process, it is DHS who investigates after LE decides to remove the children, it is DHS who must file the ex parte requesting a 72 hour removal and it is DHS who requests a probable cause hearing. Not LE. Again:


So we have three, separate agencies in agreement with whoever made the anonymous call - LE, DHS (DHHS/DCFS) and the court.

And, it is DHS who continue to hold the kids. The hearing today was DHS vs. the parents.

 

[RaeL]

:crazy::clap:

Must be the MMS

I had to LOL at this....

 

[gitana1]

Must be the MMS

LOL, I was gonna' say, maybe I need some of that stuff!

 

[RaeL]

I watched their press video and I felt Michelle threw the teenagers under the bus. She was all over the place. MOO

SBM

I haven't watched the video but I don't doubt that's exactly what these parents are gonna be doing... Well, I shouldn't be too judgemental til I watch it. ..

 

[gitana1]

Their oldest son seems like a great person. Great interview--thanks for posting.

He is and very intelligent and well spoken. Notice that he is defending LE and DHS quite a bit, does state he thinks there are some things that needed to be looked into, that the allegations were by well-meaning people with genuine concerns, that the Christian, homeschooling community is not being attacked by this, etc.

He said his parents are good people and have acted with the best of intentions but that there are some things they may need to change. He said LE didn't act on their own from nothing but were prompted by allegations. He said that
"some may say it could happen to anyone" (that was his mother who said that), but then he went on to explain, it seems, that there were some valid concerns. Possibly some exaggeration here and there but some truth and some real concerns.

Seems like a very measured, honest person. And I must say that if they raised him, perhaps they aren't too bad. However, I do note that the mother admitted in her statement to changing their lifestyle or parenting techniques. I wonder if they changed for the worse.

 

[RaeL]

LOL, I was gonna' say, maybe I need some of that stuff!

That whole family has some seriously gorgeous complexions!