DYFS Tactics Unethical, Unlawful, and Deceitful
Clearly they do not have the child or family’s best
interest
On December 23, 2004 there was an accident, involving my
daughter, which led to the removal of her from my care.
Admittedly, it was due to my lack of supervision that the
accident occurred. I make no excuse for the accident.
However, I also was responsible for taking every necessary
step to save her life and be sure that she was medically
in good health.
I Stacey Ebeling was told by DYFS, (December 2004) that my
daughter would be placed with my mother before signing any
paperwork. (I was already scheduled for substance abuse
treatment prior to incident)
A. I was told the following day that she was being placed
in foster care with no logical explanation as to why she
was not being placed with family (I have the police report
stating as such)
1. The first foster home she was removed from because
she could not breath due to allergies
2. While she was in the second foster home her hands
and feet were “blue”
a. They tried to put the blame on the accident,
however it was because the home she was in was too cold
3. Finally she was placed with my Aunt Christine. She
was very well cared for. My Aunt did a tremendous amount
of advocating for me.
a. DYFS, despite family reports to the contrary
removed Chelsea from her home declaring her mentally
unstable.
b. A psychiatric evaluation came back in my aunts
favor at which time the law guardian Maria Borges, wrote
to the psychiatrist making false allegations forcing him
to change his initial evaluation (we have documentation of
the letter that was written and proof that the allegations
were false.) To this day my aunt can not be with my
daughter unsupervised
4. Chelsea was placed in a fourth foster home
5. Chelsea was finally placed with my mother in June
2005
A. My supervised visits were taken away within weeks
of the accident with no warning and no good explanation,
not being granted until she was placed with my mother (I
showed up at the DYFS office in Bloomfield for a visit and
I was told I could no longer see her)
1. I did not see my daughter or a judge for
approximately 8 months following the incident
a. At the initial court date no judge was present
B. DYFS was ordered to get me charity care for
my medical expenses
1.This was approximately two years ago. To date no charity
care has been given and I have thousands of dollars in
unpaid medical bills
In February of 2006 I completed my last in patient
treatment center at which time I was placed on methadone
maintenance. Incidentally, the Division was LESS THAN
helpful in getting me the treatment that I needed and
every treatment program I went into was done on my own my
families help. The only treatment they helped me with was
the result of an emergent hearing at my lawyers request.
DYFS never gave KINSHIP care as an option and wanted to
move forward with adoption. It was NEVER my intent to give
up my rights as a parent although there were times when I
was encouraged to consider it. I went in to court for a
Mediation that was held in which everything said in the
mediation was “off the record”
C. DYFS used coercion as well as “scare tactics” and
they were very demeaning to me during these times. I felt
I had no other choice but to surrender my parental rights.
1. They mentioned restraining orders
2. They talked about sending Chelsea to Arizona with
her paternal grandmother
3. They accused me of being on liquid heroin, while I
was on methadone maintenance treatment
4. They said things like look at all the chances you
have had your not any better and you will never will be
D. I called my public defender the following day
stating I had made a grave mistake
1. Filed motion to have the identified surrender
vacated
a. Motion denied (the denial makes mention of things
in my past irrelevant to the case)
b. DYFS has stated emphatically that even if the
order is vacated they will take me to trial to have my
parental rights terminated.
E. The law firm Drinker, Biddle, & Reathe took the
case pro-bono & filed an appeal.
1. Appeal to have identified surrender was denied in
October of 2007.
2. Cheoma Julien esq. (Drinker, Biddle & Reathe)
filed petition for the Supreme Court.
a. Currently awaiting decision on petition
b. Also filed motion for unsupervised visitation to
be reviewed on or about 12/3/07
c. motion was revoked as a result of getting
permission for unsupervised visitation in writing to be
stipulated at my mothers discression
d. less than one week after receiving unsupervised
visitation it was terminated due to a psychiatric
evaluation given by the division which stated that I am
irresponsible and have “magical thinking” because I am
determined to go to court and regain custody of my child!
1. I have 2 psychiatric evaluations one of which was given
by the federal government to refute DYFS’s evaluation!!!!!
F. Despite impeccable character references from
members of the clergy, reverends, a social worker, and
others in addition to an outstanding psychiatric
evaluation, DYFS refuses to let me have unsupervised
visitation.
1. In addition to these references DYFS is aware of
the fact that I currently am an Assistant Outreach
Director in a ministry helping others struggling with
addiction, ministering to them, counseling them & on
occasion working hand in hand with DYFS & their clients
getting them placed in treatment.
2. I have also taught children at vacation bible
school
3. I have successfully completed one-year probation
and all drug screens given at Essex County probation were
negative for that year.
4. I have completed several rehabilitation programs
and was medically detoxed off of methadone
5. I have a current letter from my psychiatrist@
UMDNJ stating that I should have full custody and am more
than capable of caring for Chelsea
G. Chelsea’s nursery school was not paid for by DYFS
even though all the appropriate paperwork was in on time I
believe that it is a result of this that she was “kicked
out” due to her “behavior problems” I believe beyond a
shadow of a doubt that had the school been paid in a
timely matter they would have given Chelsea more time
there to deal with any behavior problems. (She is now
enrolled in another school)
H. Chelsea is still residing with my mother who has
told DYFS on numerous occasions that she supports
reunification.
1. Due to the fact that nobody outside of DYFS’s
approval can watch Chelsea my mother has a very hard time
getting things done or having a babysitter when needed
a. Despite my emphatic disapproval; my
Ex-boyfriend (not Chelsea’s father) has watched her
because he is DYFS approved- I HAVE ASKED HIM TO STAY AWAY
ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS TO AVOID ANY MORE CONFUSION in
Chelsea’s life-to no success because my mother needs a
babysitter- I even called DYFS & my attorney and there is
nothing I can do because my rights are terminated
J. Chelsea has exhibited “behavior problems” at
school and occasionally at home and I know that the
primary reason for these issues is the traumatic
experience this whole ordeal has caused not to mention the
current lack of stability.
I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I have a case
against DYFS- I just need some help. I would like to see
them held accountable for all of the turmoil they put my
child and my family through (and continue to put us
through) as well as unpaid medical bills that they were
supposed to take care of. I shudder at the thought of
another mother or child being put through such a hellish
tragedy.
Please help me to expose this agency for this travesty.
Contact Information: Stacey Ebeling (973) 752-9044
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