Paternal Grand Mothers fight for her Gran Son -Part 1

Christchurch Family Court
File Number - ......
Affidavit filed - 15 April 2008.

To the Honourable judge John Strettell.

I am writing this support letter highlighting the tremendous effort that C has put into trying to re-establish the bonds of love that she once enjoyed with her grand son J. I am appalled at her treatment by a callous government department called CYFS and I appeal to the mercy of the Family Court to grant an emergency hearing, so substantial issues and genuine concerns that C have can be addressed immediately by the Court.

I am disappointed that the shameful tactics of CYFS fly in the face of what a compassionate judge Somerville clearly directed at a family group meditation conference in December 2006. The judge clearly tried to address the issues of alienation and hurt experienced by both C and J. He assured CYFS that they understood that regular phone contact between C and her grand son J was to precede future access visits for her and J. CYFS agreed to act in good faith with all parties involved including myself.

Unfortunately C received one phone call from J in the 2007 year! Despicably, J was returned back to the totally inappropriate caregivers even though the judge had stated that it was not in J best interests to be placed back with these caregivers. CYFS disregarded both directives made by the judge and are responsible for the creation of a walking time bomb, which sadly is called J.

In 2008 Carol and I have attended various meetings where we have had heard all about J problems from two different school principals, police, CYFS caregivers, Minister of CYFS Ruth Dyson and other social workers.

Today C is at a loss overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness, bitterness, sad frustrations and anxiety. It is not acceptable that CYFS have not keep their word again after a recent Family Conference, where they said that they would send on letters and presents from both J father X and his paternal grand mother C. C is upset the packages are still gathering dust in a CYFS office!

I expect the Court should prioritise this, as young J is a troubled young lad who is struggling in a world where he is not feeling loved. It is so sad that he doesn’t know how much his paternal grand mother C has fought to try and bring some much needed sanity in what has become a tragedy in the waiting.

I urge the Court to consider C's application for full custody of J so she can make a start on the deliberate damage inflicted by a dysfunctional CYFS.

Yours truly,

Children Need Parents Trust
Peter Burns