Teen visiting Houston for dance classes taken into CPS custody

[jjenny]

I'm not sure what this has to do with the price of tea in China but let me add to what else has been stated about the facts here. The mother did not appear alarmed at the fact that they dozed off at a gas station after traveling 10 hours and dancing 9, and appeared to know they were staying at a hotel and where.

I understand questioning the wisdom of this mother letting her go out of state accompanied by unrelated males. I'd never do that. There are plenty of stories of dancers, athletes, martial artists and scouts being molested by their very trusted instructors or leaders. But clearly, the mom's reaction indicates the hotel was part of the plan.

I will say that these are family men with what appears to be a legitimate, well attended studio and their independent work as professionals is all over the place on you tube. Again, while I would not allow what these mothers have, I'm baffled by the continued insinuations on a thread about possible police misconduct, that these men were up to something nefarious with their young charge. NONE of the evidence do far comes close to supporting such insinuations. In fact, the facts refute such insinuations as the kid was released from CPS custody to these same men.

So what's with the desperate digs to find something wrong with these men?

Apparently the upsetting thing is that police took some hours to investigate what was happening?
They were nodding off in car at 3 am in the morning. I don't know that hotels would even keep someone's registration for that long. Regardless, this was at night. Houston is known for human trafficking. There was one teenage female in a car with two adult males unrelated to her. How long should it take for police to do a thorough investigation?

 

[i.b.nora]

For what its worth, the dance studio was within a block of the gas station. 1 tenth of a mile, 59 secs. by car, 528 feet, less than 2 minutes to walk.

 

[gitana1]

Apparently the upsetting thing is that police took some hours to investigate what was happening?
They were nodding off in car at 3 am in the morning. I don't know that hotels would even keep someone's registration for that long. Regardless, this was at night. Houston is known for human trafficking. There was one teenage female in a car with two adult males unrelated to her. How long should it take for police to do a thorough investigation?

Well, it looks like no one has communicated very well what the upsetting thing about this is because it is not that they investigated, as has been repeatedly explained, and the length of the "investigation", if that's what was happening for 11, hours, is only one part of the problem. Here's what's upsetting (hopefully this will be clear):

1. All three occupants of the vehicle were handcuffed despite the lack of probable cause that a crime was committed and despite any evidence that this was necessary to protect the officers (plural) who surrounded the car. (That would have been released if it existed).
2. The minor child, who was supposed to be the possible victim of something, in this incident, perhaps "trafficking", was handcuffed and detained, despite the lack of probable cause for an arrest.
3. The minor child was placed into CPS custody, despite the fact that the adults had valid id's, had a notarized letter from the kid's mom giving them temporary guardianship, despite the fact that all three had the same story, that no one had an outstanding warrant, no drugs, alcohol or weapons were found, no one was found to be under the influence, and without even attempting to contact the child's mother first.
4. The adults were told, "This is happening because you're black and she's white."
5. The mother was called and asked, "Do you realize your daughter is with two black men?" Not, "Do you know who your daughter is with?", or, "Are you aware your daughter is with two unrelated, adult males?"
6. The mother was told she would have to come to Houston in order for CPS to release her daughter.
7. It does not take 11 hours to contact a parent, run basic background checks of the adults, and verify the identities of the adults and the minor in question.

 

[ScarlettScarpetta]

I don't have a problem with the way the police handled this at all. A minor in a car with two adult men sleeping at night? That would be problematic. In fact had they not done anything and it turns out something was hinky then they would be vilified for that.

I think the police did the right thing, Got to the bottom of it and all is fine.

 

[liljim]

you are a big asset to the forum gitana, i dont have the patience you do lol

 

[bexlex]

Well, it looks like no one has communicated very well what the upsetting thing about this is because it is not that they investigated, as has been repeatedly explained, and the length of the "investigation", if that's what was happening for 11, hours, is only one part of the problem. Here's what's upsetting (hopefully this will be clear):

1. All three occupants of the vehicle were handcuffed despite the lack of probable cause that a crime was committed and despite any evidence that this was necessary to protect the officers (plural) who surrounded the car. (That would have been released if it existed).
2. The minor child, who was supposed to be the possible victim of something, in this incident, perhaps "trafficking", was handcuffed and detained, despite the lack of probable cause for an arrest.
3. The minor child was placed into CPS custody, despite the fact that the adults had valid id's, had a notarized letter from the kid's mom giving them temporary guardianship, despite the fact that all three had the same story, that no one had an outstanding warrant, no drugs, alcohol or weapons were found, no one was found to be under the influence, and without even attempting to contact the child's mother first.
4. The adults were told, "This is happening because you're black and she's white."
5. The mother was called and asked, "Do you realize your daughter is with two black men?" Not, "Do you know who your daughter is with?", or, "Are you aware your daughter is with two unrelated, adult males?"
6. The mother was told she would have to come to Houston in order for CPS to release her daughter.
7. It does not take 11 hours to contact a parent, run basic background checks of the adults, and verify the identities of the adults and the minor in question.

This is Texas we're talking about.... everything about this story sounds familiar.