A CASA Child's Story

Eleven year old Stacy was living with her grandmother when her mother was released from prison. Even though her grandmother still had custody, she allowed Stacy to live with her mother. Although married, her mother was living with another man. Stacy had made statements to the police that her mother's boyfriend had been sexually molesting her for several months. Her grandmother was her legal guardian, yet allowed Stacy to remain in this unsafe environment. Her mother was hospitalized after a stabbing attack by the same boyfriend who was sexually abusing Stacy.

Stacy told the DHS investigator that she was fearful to return to her grandmother's home because she was afraid her grandmother would return her to her mother.

Stacy was immediately placed in a shelter and then placed with her step father and half sisters. The District Attorney charged her mother and boyfriend with sexually abusing a minor and filed to terminate her mothers rights, which were terminated shortly after.

Stacy, a very bright outgoing child was shown more of the adult world than any eleven year old should ever know. However, she remained very much an eleven year old with dolls, kitty cats, and computer games. Her schoolwork was average and her teachers and counselors expressed concern about her constant need for attention. She was placed in a foster home after her step father's home was also determined to be unsatifactory. Tulsa CASA volunteers stepped in here.

CASA volunteers on the case visited Stacy regularly over a year period. They took on a very complex situation and worked for Stacy's best interests. The CASA volunteers met with Stacy's teachers, family, therapists, and DHS workers to continually monitor her progress and safety. At their last visit at the foster home, they reported that it was a loving, nurturing home- a dream visit that all CASA workers would love to have.

The CASA volunteers were extremely pleased with the placement where Stacy seemed so happy, and the foster parents were loving, kind, and committed. A few months later, Stacy was adopted by her foster parents and her case was dismissed.