tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585230548913609409.post295978249524412248..comments2024-01-15T12:29:39.850-08:00Comments on Jewish Odysseus: RIFQA BARY'S DAD CONFESSES TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST HER...WHO CARES?*Jewish Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704379332151214452noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585230548913609409.post-42090283291825732792009-09-19T14:40:08.613-07:002009-09-19T14:40:08.613-07:00Dymphna, thanks for commenting here and raising th...Dymphna, thanks for commenting here and raising the IQ of this blog 300%. ;- )<br /><br />Rifqa's FL GAL atty is Krista Bartholomew. She has done a SUPERB job in Court, as I have observed first-hand, and commented here on 8/21. She and Stemberger really are working together, independently, like Walesa & Wojtyla, heheh. <br /><br />To be honest, I thought Ms. Bartholomew was superior in Court, tho Stemberger was quite new to the case on that day. Also, as you know, the GAL has a built-in status and rapport with the Judge that can be extremely decisive in these cases.<br /><br />If the GAL has prepared a report yet, it is in any case confidential. I can assure you, however, that the GAL went out of her way in Court o 8/21 to emphasize to the Judge Rifqa's legitimate fear of her parents and the Muslim throat-cutting community of Ohio.<br /><br />FL's DCF has indeed stepped in to provide her w/a "safe space," w/a foster family. Rifqa has been very happy w/them, and they have home-schooled her.<br /><br />As you may know, the legal situation has turned so there is now a good chance that Rifqa may be returned to OH [the bad news]. However, in OH it appears quite likely that she will be eligible for emancipation [the good news], which is legally impossible in FL without the approval of either parents or guardians.<br /><br />I think political fear is the engine of this case, and $$ is essentially irrelevant. As you note, Rifqa is past 17, and there are no expensive medical issues to worry about.<br /><br />I agree, let's run out the clock for 10 months more, GAME OVERRRRRR!!!Jewish Odysseushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16704379332151214452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585230548913609409.post-51118411152409633762009-09-17T21:54:15.846-07:002009-09-17T21:54:15.846-07:00When this story first broke, I put up a post which...When this story first broke, I put up a post which included her comment. I also critiqued the Child Protective Services depts in both states for their lapses.<br /><br />Having been a CPS worker, I've been trying to find mention of Rifqa's guardian ad litem,the lawyer that is *supposed* to be appointed by the court to protect her rights is a suspected abuse case.<br /><br />I can see she has a paid lawyer, but where is the guardian ad litem? Where is his or her report?<br /><br />When these kinds of family abuse cases deteriorate into "he said/she said", Social Services is supposed to step in and provide a safe living space for the child in question.<br /><br />In Rifqa's case, given her age, she'd normally be placed in a group living arrangement with other girls. There she could continue school and also be enrolled in an Independent Living Skills program to prepare her for turning 18.<br /><br />Alternatively, the dept could work with her on an early empancipation program. I've done that with 16year olds who were mature and focused on leaving the bad stuff behind.<br /><br />You know why they're doing this? My guess is that it's a follow-the-money situation. Programs like this have lots of federal mandates, all unfunded, and the states and localities go broke trying to keep up with the rules, never mind the back-breaking paperwork load. That's why the average foster care worker lasts just about two years. Too many kids and no money or resources to help them.<br /><br />So Rifqa is a football. The Ohio county she came from sure doesn't want the expense of her case, the Florida county is probably already broke for the year. They will both pull every delay they can think of.<br /><br />Maybe they can stall long enough for her to turn 18??<br /><br />From my keyboard to G-d's eyes.Dymphnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11332644582520636279noreply@blogger.com