Representative scenes from the new novel, Mary Jo’s Journey Home
- Two Mothers
The bear was too close, maybe fifteen feet away, leaving me only seconds to do something. I couldn’t fight a bear and I couldn’t run, but if I could distract her maybe my baby girl could survive. I accepted I was going to die, but please, not my four-year-old daughter, I would do anything for … Read more - Is Foster Care a Crime?
After finishing my manuscript about a young girl, Mary Jo, who was placed in Child Protection Services, I reached out to potential agents. I described my novel as a coming-of-age story about a young girl trapped in foster care. I compared it to Where the Crawdads Sing and similar books. One of the first agents … Read more - Who or What is a Guardian ad Litem (GAL)?
A Short Answer One individual in the juvenile courtroom that parents seldom notice or meet is the Guardian Ad Litem, commonly referred to as “a G A L.” Pronounce each letter, do not shorten it to the word “gal.” This nearly invisible individual is seldom introduced to the parents or the child(ren). She or he … Read more - How can I convince child services I’m not an alcoholic?
A Child Services’ Accusation Is Final Nothing in this post is intended to provide legal advice or replace the advice from a licensed attorney. For answers to specific questions, consult a licensed attorney in the relevant state, district, or province. There’s no medical or lab test that proves a person is or isn’t an alcoholic. … Read more