CA - Couple tried to sell baby at Walmart

[Liz]

Good grief! Momster-dearest breast fed the poor little infant while she was high on meth! I hope both of them get the book thrown at them!

http://www.wibw.com/nationalnews/headlines/97321694.html

Her face has deteriorated seriously since her F/B pic was taken! And baby-daddy looks old enough to be baby's grandparent.

 

[Missizzy]

I have to wonder why, with California's laws on drug toxicity tests at birth, why these parents were allowed to take their baby home. I question what sort of services and action plan was put into place. Typically, when a child is born with a positive toxicology screen, DHS is called in and a plan formulated. Sometimes, the baby does get to go home but only with a binding plan in place to assure safety ie. oversight by non-using family members and frequent home visits and required medical check-ups and evaluations for the baby.

Either this baby tested negative at birth or someone dropped the ball. Being that the infant was most likely (JMO) prenatally exposed and post-natally exposed (by the mom's own admission, via breast milk), this child will qualify for a federal/state foster care payment of anywhere from $750-1500/month in foster care funds with a full medical card. This funding will follow the child through the age of 21 (if the child is not reunited with parents), regardless of whether the child stays in foster care of is adopted.

Drug-using parents not only hurt their children but also create a huge expense for taxpayers. It would be fiscally prudent to spend more money upfront on the issues of prenatal drug/substance abuse. I truly don't believe, in my heart, that most people choose to harm their child through their drug use. The sorry fact is, though, that they do. The lack of early invention has a fiscal toll and a human toll.

I am not saying, kbl, that this child is destined to be an abuser. I am merely saying that, because of these parents' ill-guided choices and the lack of appropriate outreach services, we have yet another little one who has a harder pathway in life than they deserved. The child is here. The child deserves the best care society can offer. But I'd far rather that these parents had been taught these hard lessons BEFORE this baby was conceived.

Good to see you.

 

[Missizzy]

I implore you guys to read what the Child Welfare League has to say about our children and meth use. Did you realize that 13% of all US children grow up in a home where illicit drugs are used? Did you realize that approximately 80% of all children taken into care have a component of drug use within the home and the resulting abuse and neglect? Read what these children have to look forward to. I know of what I speak. Yes, there will always be some miracles but the facts are the facts. The damage does not fade away.

The word used is "risk". Through my experience with thousands of children over the course of my advocacy career, I would use the word "reality". Spend a day with a meth-exposed infant, toddler, or teen and get back to me. It's heart-breaking.

http://www.cwla.org/voice/0602meth.htm


".....For the unborn children of pregnant meth-addicted mothers, according to NCSACW, risks include birth defects, growth retardation, premature birth, low birthweight, and brain lesions. Problems at birth may include difficulty sucking and swallowing, hypersensitivity to touch, and excessive muscle tension. Long-term risks may include developmental disorders, cognitive deficits, learning disabilities, poor social adjustment, and language deficits....."

much more at link

 

[Missizzy]

Another excellent overview of the societal problem of meth use:

http://www.samhsa.hhs.gov/files/Meth and Child Safety.pdf

I did not realize that studies show that a full 33% of meth users report sexual abuse before the age of 15. I think what we are seeing here, sadly, is the phenomenon of multi-generational use.

This paper, prepared for use by social workers also has several paragraphs concerning the risks to the developing brain of the the fetus and the life long brain damage due to the prenatal exposure.


http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2010/03/moms_who_use_meth_harm_babies.html


".....kids whose moms used meth or alcohol had notably different structures in their brains, and in some cases the the kids of meth moms had even more dramatic changes than babies whose moms drank. For instance, the caudate nucleus, which helps process learning and memory, was smaller in babies exposed to meth than those exposed to alcohol or to no drugs. A part of the brain called the cingulate cortex, which involves emotion processing and conflict resolution, was larger in meth-exposed babies, according to the Journal of Neuroscience...."



Sadly, these structural deficits do not heal themselves. They are permanent. If you have doubts about the words above, please PM me and I will explain. Pay special attention to the phrase "emotion processing and conflict resolution". Those words have a massive and devastating effect on a person's life.



And yet another list or articles for those interested:

http://www.kci.org/meth_info/Crank_Babies/index.htm



There's a lot of information out there. We all need to work together to ensure that pregnant moms get the prenatal care they and their babies require. If the mom is shown to be using, there are programs and systems in place to help. No, it's not perfect but every brain cell saved is precious.

 

[Filly]

Good grief! Momster-dearest breast fed the poor little infant while she was high on meth! I hope both of them get the book thrown at them!

http://www.wibw.com/nationalnews/headlines/97321694.html

Her face has deteriorated seriously since her F/B pic was taken! And baby-daddy looks old enough to be baby's grandparent.

Formula cost money. It's one of the things that an addict will get State help with and then sell it. It's right up there with razor blades and Tylenol as something they can move fast. Just like with the old food stamps. $10 for $7. People would literally stand outside supermarkets and sell them.

It always seems as does with alcohol it hits a woman faster. Beats them down faster. Compared to this 20 year old he is old.

 

[Filly]

Accused baby sellers Patrick Fousek and Samantha Tomasini struck a deal. It's some kind of deal about the hearing and a witness and three strikes.

They are due back in court on February 23rd.






http://www.montereyherald.com/local/ci_16833678?nclick_check=1

 

[Filly]

How could we forget these two stellar parents?

First the good news. Baby girl is with a loving family and thriving.

Dad? He's locked up and can received 2, or 4, or 6 years in prison. Article states how his ex wife did have concern not only for her own son, but for baby girl as well. Two grandmom's weigh in.

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_19189873


Meanwhile mom of the year there still has a chip on her shoulder. I'll link to her FB indicating they are innocent. She plead guilty to child endangerment charges.

 

[Filly]

Here in case anyone wants to support these two parents.





http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-SUPPORT-SAMANTHA-TOMASINI-PATRICK-FOUSEK/135939676424312


It is doubtful this "mother" is in recovery. Typical addict behavior is exhibited as she won't take responsibility for her actions and blames the two women who told police they were selling the baby.