Chapter 2
Becca shook the hand of Jennifer Hopkins then took a seat beside her desk in the small cubicle at Child Welfare Services. The thin and attractive young black woman sat behind that desk and took the top folder off the stack set to one side. She opened the folder and read aloud from its contents. “Jonah Bingham, African-American male, eight years old, Lakeview Elementary, completed second grade.” She glanced up at Becca.
Becca nodded. “Yes, Jonah.”
Ms. Hopkins continued. “Latonya Williams, mother, incarcerated waiting trial, aggravated assault, attempted murder, child abuse, Raleigh Central Prison. Vernette Williams, maternal grandmother, incarcerated, serving eight to ten year term for forgery, felonious drug possession with intent to sell, assaulting a law enforcement officer, Raleigh Central Prison.” The woman paused and looked up. “Guess they don’t have to go far for family reunions.”
Becca’s frozen stare wouldn’t let her laugh or even grin.
Ms. Hopkins shrugged then continued. “Dorothy Brackett, maternal great-grandmother, assigned custody, 121 Lafayette Drive, Shefford.” She raised her eyes to Becca. “I also see your name down here as a non-family contact and resource.”
Becca nodded stiffly.
“Child Welfare thanks you for any assistance you have provided in this case.”
Becca said quietly, “You’re welcome.”
“This all seems pretty cut and dried, Miss Coles. What can I help you with?”
“I’d like clarification on a few points.”
“I’ll do my best, with the advance understanding that only a judge can issue a final decree.”
“Understood. My first question is what are the chances Jonah’s mother could ever regain custody?”
Ms. Hopkins took a moment to look over the paperwork again then said, “A judge has issued a removal order pending the outcome of the trial. If Latonya Williams is convicted and imprisoned, that removal order will be extended. When or if Ms. Williams is released from jail, she may petition the court to have the removal order rescinded. If it is, custody arrangements will be reevaluated.”
“If Jonah were to visit his mother in prison, would her chances of regaining custody improve?”
“The child’s rights are in no way encumbered by the removal order. He can visit his mother or not, according to his wishes—within prison guidelines of course, and at the discretion of his appointed guardian.”
“But will it in any way help her regain custody?”
“That would be for a judge to evaluate, Miss Coles. But let me alert you to one important fact. It indicates in this report that the mother involved the child in the commission of a felony.”
Becca nodded.
Ms. Hopkins continued. “There are few absolutes in child custody cases. But one of those absolutes is ‘inclusion in felony.’ There is no way Ms. Williams will ever regain custody as long as those three words remain in this case file—visits from the son or not.”
Becca allowed herself the slightest relaxing of her shoulders, the quietest of sighs. “Thank you,” she said, then took a second to catch her breath before continuing. “My last question regards ongoing care and supervision for Jonah—does Child Welfare have guidelines regarding how such care might be provided and who provides it?”
“According to this, Mrs. Brackett has been assigned custody and accepted responsibility for the child’s care and the appropriate use of government assistance to facilitate that care.”
“She has.”
“How she provides ‘a reasonable standard of care and supervision’ is entirely up to her, utilizing the resources at her disposal.”
“With no limits on who helps or how?”
“That is outside our jurisdiction,” Ms. Hopkins said firmly.
Becca thought The system has holes; he seems to have fallen into one. She may have actually mouthed the words.
“Beg your pardon?” Ms. Hopkins said.
Becca smiled. “Nothing. Just remembered a funny thing someone once told me.”
“Anything else, then?”
Becca shook her head. “No. Thank you for the information. You’ve been a great help.”
Both women stood. “Good luck raising Jonah,” Ms. Hopkins said as she extended her hand.
Becca took that hand. “We’ll do our best.”
Birthday Dinner Page 31
