The Jones Family
The Jones Family includes
Ethel, the grandmother, age 65
Jennie, the mother, was killed approximately 1 year ago,
Danny, age 15
Mark, age 8
Moses, age 4 and
Jackie, 17 months.
The children's fathers, none of whom live with the children, are
Dan Bobcat, Danny's father, who died approximately nine years ago,
John Quick, Mark's father,
Mack Phillips, Moses' father, and
Jack Smith, Jackie's father.
The Jones' Family came to the attention of Children's Protective Services (CPS) for the first time approximately two years ago. Danny, Mark, and Moses had lived with their mother and grandmother since birth. Ms. Jones' mother, Ethel Jones, reported to CPS that Ms. Jones had taken Danny, Mark, and Moses from her (Ethel Jones') home because she refused to let Jennie Jones return to the home until she agreed to get some help for her substance abuse problem and ended her relationship with Jack Smith. Jack Smith had beaten Jennie frequently. Further, he had hit Danny once when Danny came to his mother's defense during a fight. Mrs. Jones was quite concerned about her grandsons' safety because Ms. Jones was using crack and Danny had told her that they were living with Jack Smith. CPS investigated the report and found no evidence of abuse or neglect of the children or of Jack Smith being in the home.
Danny ran away from his mother's home and returned to his grandmother's home about six months after his grandmother's referral to CPS. He refused to return to his mother's home. He reported to CPS that Jennie, Jack Smith and his mother were always fighting. Mrs. Jones did not report this to CPS because she didn't think that they would do anything and, if she did, her daughter might take Danny from her.
A second CPS referral was made by a hospital social worker when Jackie was born with complications. The system CPS substantiated this referral. Based on Ms. Jones' agreement to cooperate with substance abuse treatment services, CPS recommended in-home services. The caseworker documented, in the case file:
She met with Ms. Jones in her home once a month at a scheduled time.
The substance abuse treatment center provided a report each month that stated Ms. Jones had met all aspects of her treatment plan.
She did not observe any neglect or abuse of Moses and Jackie during her monthly visits. The house was clean and there was food in the cabinets and refrigerator.
Ms. Jones took Jackie for the required medical appointments.
Ms. Jones participated in parent-teacher conferences about Mark's behavior problems in school at least once a month.
Danny lived with his grandmother, Ethel Jones.
Ms. Jones stated that Jack Smith was not living in the home.
After about six months of in-home services, CPS petitioned for removal of all the children because Ms. Jones was hospitalized after being severely beaten by Jack Smith. The petition was granted and the children were placed with their grandmother, Ethel Jones. Two months after placement, Jennie Jones died. Jack Smith was charged with murder and convicted. He is serving life in prison without parole.
Ethel Jones retired approximately 15 years ago after working 30 years in an automobile factory. Her husband, James, who worked at the same factory, died from a heart attack approximately 20 years ago. She has income from her husband's pension, her pension, and Social Security. In addition, she receives foster care payments and medical coverage for the children. She owns the home where she has lived for 45 years. She is very involved in her church and block club. She has one sister, Erma, who lives with her daughter, Patricia, four houses down the block. Erma and Patricia assist her with the children when needed.
Prior to the placement, Mrs. Jones had not seen Mark and Moses since their mother took them from her home two years earlier. She had never seen Jackie. Jennie Jones was angry with her for calling CPS and would not allow her any contact with the children. She had not had any contact with Jennie in over 15 months except to tell her that Danny was with her and he refused to return to Jennie's house. Jennie said "fine" and that ended the conversation.
The court ordered the agency to evaluate the children's fathers as possible caregivers. Dan Bobcat, the father of Danny, acknowledged paternity when Danny was born. He was killed in an automobile accident approximately nine years ago. His mother, Annie Bobcat, had maintained contact with her grandson until she died from pneumonia approximately two years ago. Mrs. Jones reports that there are no other family members on the Bobcat side. Annie Bobcat was an only child of parents who were only children. Both paternal great-grandparents are deceased. Dan is the child of a rape. The rapist was never identified. John Quick, the father of
