DHS does not own children

Do you know how it feels to have everyone trying to run your life? I do. I am a 19-year-old, single mother with two children and a third child on the way.

After delivering my first child in July 1999, I graduated from Calais High School with honors in June 2000. I then started to further my education at Washington County Technical College. I moved in with my boyfriend after I found out I was pregnant with my second child. I did not let the pregnancy stand in the way of my education. I have completed three full semesters at WCTC and two extra classes during the summer. I had my daughter in the summer of 2001.

Unfortunately, I was unable to start birth control immediately after having my daughter; again I became pregnant. My boyfriend could not handle the thought of another child and left the family. I hold a grade point average of 3.75 and I work hard to receive outstanding grades so I can get my degree in Associate in Arts and Heating Technology. I want to get a good education, to better not only myself, but my children.

I was always told the sky is the limit, and reach for the stars. As I strive to reach the stars, I have run into problems. My boyfriend left the children and me on Oct. 18, 2001. Knowing how hurt and upset I was, my family came to my house to give their support. Department of Human Services stepped into my life because of a report that said I had too many vehicles entering and exiting my yard. I started getting unexpected home visits from a DHS social worker stating reports had been made and people thought I was using drugs. After passing DHS’ drug screening, the DHS worker continued to come to my house asking for more tests. Becoming upset, I refused to participate.

Why should I have to continuously prove myself innocent just because DHS was hearing rumors? After asking this social worker to leave my home several times, she still found her way to my door without any prior notification. On Dec. 27, 2001, I received a letter in the mail from DHS stating that my case had been closed.

Two weeks later, my case was reopened. I had a friend staying over; she was curling her hair in the bathroom when one of my children crawled into the bathroom and pulled on the cord of the curling iron. Before my friend could catch the falling iron it put a small burn the size of half a dime on my child’s finger. Her finger was red and I immediately applied ice. There were no signs of infection or blistering at this time. I took the children to day care as usual and made the day care providers aware of what had happened to my child’s finger. The day care provider reported the burn to DHS and once again the same worker was back at my home.

The DHS worker faulted me for not taking my daughter to the hospital when the burn happened, but I did see the emergency room doctor on duty, who looked at her finger. I was told to soak the finger as much as possible. After getting the medical reports and talking to the emergency room doctor, the social worker had me take my child to her family doctor. Here, I was told that her finger was healing well and to watch out for possible infections.

The DHS worker then stated I lacked proper supervision of my two children because I had a friend watching my daughter while I was attending my son. I believe I did the right thing by having my friend keep an eye on my daughter while I was attending to my son. The DHS worker had me childproof my house and complete a safety plan stating that I would let her come back to my house to make sure it was childproof and I was told not to let my friends watch the children.

As a child, I was removed from my home because my parents had an alcohol problem, only to be placed into homes three different times where my foster parents drank as well. I have been investigated by DHS twice since December 2001. I feel that DHS spends too much time investigating and harassing me.

I want DHS to give me support, helping me with the accomplishments I’ve made instead of harassing me.

I will continue to strive toward my goals. My children are my life and I will not let DHS take away the control I need to raise my children. When DHS stops hindering me I will be able to continue with my education. I want to give my children all the things I have missed. Please tell DHS I need support, not hindrance.

If you have any questions, please call 454-8401 or contact me at 20 Clark St., Apt. 1, Calais 04619.

Bobbie Sue Kennard lives in Calais.