Cps Removal Without Cause

Summary

CPS removed children in Washington for not wearing jackets on a cool day. Parent claims racial discrimination and ineffective legal representation. Public defender allegedly sent money via Cash App. Parent advised to file complaints with the Washington State Bar Association and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Full Conversation

Children taken by CPS for no reason
What state are you located in, ****? This will help me provide the most accurate information regarding CPS procedures in your area.
Washington
What specific allegations did CPS make to justify removing your children? In Washington, CPS can only remove children if they believe there's imminent danger to their safety.
That they didn't have jackets
What was the weather condition when CPS made this allegation? In Washington, child neglect can include failure to provide adequate clothing appropriate for weather conditions.
It was cool out but it was also pajama day at school and they had their blankets with them
What steps have you taken since the children were removed by CPS? In Washington, you have the right to a court hearing within * hours of removal.
Everything they have asked my public defender has been sending me money and I don't know why
Why is your public defender sending you money? This is unusual as public defenders typically provide legal representation, not financial assistance.
I do not know
Have you asked your public defender why they are sending you money? It's important to understand all aspects of your case.
She said to "help you out"
What is the name of your public defender? It's important to have clear communication with your legal representative.
Kim Travers
What is the current status of your case with CPS?
Ongoing
What is the next step your public defender, Kim Travers, has advised you to take in your ongoing case with CPS?
Be present at the next court date
What is the date and location of your next court hearing?
Nov 9th Columbia county courthouse
What is the exact address of the Columbia County Courthouse where your hearing will take place?
Watika House
I'm sorry, but could you please clarify what you mean by "Watika House"?
That is my name
I apologize for the confusion, Watika. How can I assist you with your legal concerns today?
Why would my public defender for my CPS case be sending me money
Could you please provide more context? Is the money related to your case or is it for another reason?
She has been sending me money regularly to as she puts it " to help you out" I have been fighting to get my children back for over a year and they have intentionality been giving me false information and making sure I don't when meetings are
What is the name of your public defender? This could potentially be a conflict of interest, which is generally not allowed in legal practice.
Kim Travers
What is the amount of money Kim Travers has been sending you?
In excess of $*
What is the frequency of these transactions and how is she sending you this money?
Pretty regular and on cash app
What is the exact amount and frequency of these transactions?
$* or $* dollars every few days
What is the purpose of these transactions according to Kim Travers?
"to help me out"
What is the nature of the false information you've been receiving and how has it affected your case?
Court dates and times meeting times making me miss important things
What specific false information about court dates and meeting times were you given?
cps gives information to my ex boyfriend about my children but not me
What kind of information is CPS sharing with your ex-boyfriend that they are not sharing with you?
Most of the information I get second hand in less I get it from the lady who supervises my visits
What kind of information are you getting from the lady who supervises your visits?
Medical information and just general information
What specific medical and general information are you receiving from the lady who supervises your visits?
Like that my child has breathing problems
What actions have you taken so far regarding your child's health issue?
What can I do the child is not in my care
Have you tried filing a motion in court for access to your child's medical records and information?
My lawyer won't let me talk in court
Why won't your lawyer let you speak in court?
I don't know
What has your lawyer said when you asked why you can't speak in court?
She just says it's better if I don't speak
What is the reason given by your lawyer for advising you not to speak in court?
She hasn't given one she will barely talk to me
What steps have you taken to address this issue with your lawyer? In Washington, you have the right to effective communication with your attorney.
Asked her many times to go over the case with me or meet with me but it seems she is always busy
Have you considered filing a complaint against your lawyer for ineffective assistance of counsel? In Washington, you can do this through the Washington State Bar Association.
I have thought about it but don't have a clue as to how to do so
You can file a complaint against your lawyer with the Washington State Bar Association. Would you like information on how to do this?
Yes please
You can file a complaint online at the Washington State Bar Association's website. Here's the link: www.wsba.org/for-the-public/concerns-about-a-lawyer.
Also I believe the judge and both the prosecutor and public defender are discriminating against me because I am African American
What specific actions or comments have led you to believe that you're being discriminated against?
The withholding and misinformation only speaking to my ex who is white
What evidence do you have to support your claim of racial discrimination?
The fact that I am the only black person in Starbuck Washington and they took my kids for no reason
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Have you filed a complaint about this alleged racial discrimination?
Again I do not know how to do so
You can file a complaint about racial discrimination with the U.S. Department of Justice. Would you like information on how to do this?
Yes please
You can file a complaint online at the U.S. Department of Justice's website. Here's the link: www.justice.gov/crt/how-file-complaint.
What should I do about my lawyer sending me money
What is the reason your lawyer gave for sending you money?
To help me out
Have you discussed this issue with your lawyer or asked her to stop sending you money?
Watika House
I'm sorry, but I didn't understand your response. Could you please clarify what you mean by "Watika House"?
That is my name
I apologize for the confusion, Watika House. How can I assist you with your legal concerns today?
What is my course of action to find a attorney who will help me sue CPS
What is the specific reason you want to sue CPS? This will help in finding an attorney specialized in that area.
taking my children for heresy
What evidence do you have to support your claim of heresy being the reason for CPS taking your children?
They were taken because the local pastor seen them walking to school without jackets on pajama day they had their blankets with them
What actions did CPS take after they were informed about your children walking to school without jackets?
They came and took them
What was the reason given by CPS for taking your children? It's important to understand their justification to advise you properly.
They said we had drug activity and that I was sleeping with a convicted sex offender which is all false
What evidence do you have to refute the claims made by CPS?
All kinds all they had was heresy
What steps have you taken so far to refute these allegations?
I have been fighting for a year and 2 months to get them back and have been silenced at every turn by my public defender who subsequently has been sending me money thru cash app
What evidence do you have that your public defender has been sending you money through Cash App?
All of the transaction receipts
What is the total amount of money that your public defender has sent you through Cash App?
Over * dollars
What was the purpose of these transactions from your public defender?
"to help me out"
What did your public defender say when you confronted them about these transactions?
It's to help you
What actions have you taken regarding these transactions from your public defender?
Used the money to survive since my house burned to the ground
What evidence do you have to prove that your house burned down?
The police reports
What is the current status of the investigation into the fire at your house?
Complete
What was the conclusion of the investigation into the fire at your house?
Electrical
What steps have you taken after the conclusion of the investigation into the fire at your house?
All that I could
What specific steps did you take after the conclusion of the investigation into the fire at your house?
I haven't been back there because it is my ex's house
What actions have you taken to address the allegations made by CPS and to regain custody of your children?
Have been going to court
What has been the outcome of your court appearances so far?
I have been silenced and not allowed to speak in court
What was the reason given by the court for not allowing you to speak?
My attorney said not to
What is the reason your attorney advised you not to speak in court?
Said it was in my best interest
What specific reasons did your attorney give for advising you not to speak in court?
None
What is the name of your attorney who advised you not to speak in court?
Kim Travers
What actions has Kim Travers taken to refute the allegations made by CPS in court?
None
What steps have you taken to report your attorney's lack of action and the money transactions?
None I don't know how
Have you considered filing a complaint against your attorney with the Washington State Bar Association?
I would like to but don't know how
To file a complaint against your attorney with the Washington State Bar Association, you can visit their website and follow the instructions for filing a grievance. Would you like the contact details?
Yes please
You can contact the Washington State Bar Association at * 4th Ave, Suite *, Seattle, WA *-*. Phone: (*) *-* or (*) *-*. Website: www.wsba.org.
I also believe that I am being discriminated against because I am black
What specific incidents lead you to believe that you are being discriminated against due to your race?
Not being allowed to speak in court CPS sharing information with my ex who is white and not me
What evidence do you have that CPS is sharing information with your ex and not with you?
Him telling me of meetings and court dates that I have not heard about but he has
Do you have any written or electronic communication where your ex has mentioned these meetings and court dates?
Yes
What is the nature of these written or electronic communications where your ex has mentioned these meetings and court dates?
Texts and phone conversations
Can you provide the dates and content of these text messages and phone conversations where your ex mentioned the meetings and court dates?
Yes
What specific information was shared in these text messages and phone conversations regarding the meetings and court dates?
I am told I missed this meeting and that meeting, that or original case writer had finally been suspended (not sure why) after a year of complaints from the two of us, also he'd tell me about court dates and times I wasn't even aware of. But when I asked what happen in court the answer would be vague if at all
What steps have you taken to address the issue of not being informed about court dates and meetings?
I've not only asked my old case worker, and attorney about them, then politely asked them both to make sure that I'm in the loop, seeing as how "this is all on me"and now I'm demanding to know what's going on(still politely as possible at this point) with no different result
What steps have you taken to document these instances of not being informed about court dates and meetings?
I have a few books that I've kept notes in about those entire case... There's gaps however. Mostly because I've become more distraught almost daily....
What specific information have you documented in these books regarding your case?
-visitations-slander and defamation of character- the way my kids where taken ill and their reasoning why-my attorney and her actions, rather lack there of-caseworker and her actions-Foster parents and their actions-how the judge has the wrong idea about who I am or what I have/haven't done, based solely on the words of caseworker who's now suspended and a few people in my towns gossip, opinions, and accusations
What specific actions or statements made by the judge, caseworker, or foster parents led you to believe they have a wrong idea about you?