TV news teams are finally figuring out how to do interesting segments about Tarrant County’s controversial and complicated guardianship program. It ain’t easy breaking that myriad mess into a two-minute TV segment.
Probate courts, with their powerful network of attorneys, professional guardians, banks, and nursing homes, are being accused of over zealousness in stripping people of their rights and taking over their lives.
It’s a complex issue and a tough story to tell. I’ve written three cover stories — here and here and here — on the subject since 2008 and still don’t feel like I’ve fleshed out the situation.
Channel 33 News did a story this week on Frank and Chila Covington of Arlington, a couple interviewed numerous times for my earlier stories.
The 33 News report comes on the heels of this Sept. 23 look at the Covington case by Lori Barager of Fox4 News.
And that report followed this in-depth look by the Texas Tribune on Sept. 15.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram ignored the growing controversy completely in its July 10 story.
Families battling the probate courts have long tried without much success to get local media to spotlight their stories. But the families became better organized in the past two years, documenting and comparing their cases, and calling their elected officials.
Estate of Denial and GRADE are just a couple of web sites doing the same thing on a national level.
Jeff, your reports are a bright light into the darkness of unlawful and abusive guardianships, and we appreciate your committment and your style.
GRADE is tirelessly working for reform in TX and NASGA is taking on guardianship abuse nationally.
Join both organizations and become part of the solution!
Yours,
Elaine Renoire
NASGA
http://www.StopGuardianAbuse.org
http://www.AnOpenLetterToCongress.info
http://NASGA-StopGuardianAbuse.blogspot.com
Dcf aka Cps took guardianship of my disabled son without even serving me court papers. He lived in a group home called Starkey in Wichita ks. This agency was over medicating my child just to keep him sedated. They called child protective services on me because I would not authorize them to medically restrain my son! So basically, I lost custody of my child, my constitutional right was violated, AND I was never served! I KNEW right then I had to get custody back and I had to get my child moved! After I saved around $10,000, I hired an attorney and fought for my rights! After a 6 month back and forth legal battle, I was able to get my custody back over my son. It should have never been taken, the dcf caseworker had too much authority and she abused her power. It cost me 10,000 over a disagreement, a disagreement over a psychotropic medication that I refused to give my child. My son suffered so much during this, I suffered so much, I was a nervous wreck over this!!! I want to hold them responsible, I want to sue them!!!!! I am so thankful but I am so mad too! My advice to anyone that might be getting ran over by the system, get an attorney! Save every penny you have and hire a professional! They will run over you if you dont. I beat the system, my son and I won!!!! I want to open my own group home, I want to fix a broken system.